The Gold Coast’s next chapter: From momentum to maturity

While the Gold Coast (GC) has long been recognised for its lifestyle appeal, it is becoming increasingly clear that the city has entered a new phase of economic maturity.   

At the AFR Investment Forum and State of the City launch, held on 18 June 2026, business leaders, investors and policymakers shared a consistent view: the GC is no longer emerging. It is evolving into a sophisticated, investment-ready economy with strong fundamentals and long-term growth potential.  

This shift brings both opportunity and responsibility. The challenge now is not simply to sustain momentum, but to convert it into enduring economic value.  

Confidence is returning, but it must be sustained  

One of the clearest themes from the Premier’s address and broader discussion was confidence.  

Confidence in policy settings, confidence in infrastructure investment and critically, confidence in the long-term trajectory of South East Queensland (SEQ).  

There is a growing recognition that certainty is a key enabler of private sector investment. When businesses understand the direction of travel, whether through infrastructure pipelines, housing strategies or economic policy, they are far more willing to deploy capital and commit to growth.  

For the GC, this presents a significant opportunity. With major investment expected across transport, housing and enabling infrastructure, the foundations are being laid for sustained economic expansion.   

To sustain confidence, there must be ongoing alignment between government, industry and investors to ensure that delivery keeps pace with ambition.  

A city redefining its economic identity  

Perhaps the most important takeaway from the Forum was the evolution of the Gold Coast’s identity. The GC is increasingly being viewed as more than a tourism-driven economy and emerging as a diversified, innovation-led city, with growing strength across:  

• Technology and AI  
• Advanced manufacturing  
• Aerospace and defence  
• Health and research   
• Knowledge-based industries.

This repositioning is being reinforced by real capital flows. Investors are increasingly making decisions based on the quality of businesses, founders and opportunities in the region, rather than lifestyle factors alone. This marks a critical inflection point in how the GC is perceived nationally and globally.  

Collaboration as a competitive advantage  

A defining feature of the GC’s growth story is its ability to collaborate.  

Across government, industry and the investment community, there is a shared commitment to unlocking opportunity and reducing friction for business. This collaborative approach was consistently highlighted as a competitive advantage during the panel discussions.  

In practice, this “city that says yes” mindset is more than a slogan. It reflects:  

• A willingness to engage with investors and businesses  
• A pragmatic approach to problem solving  
• A shared ambition to attract talent and capital.

This alignment is one of the key reasons the city continues to attract both investment and attention.  

Growth brings pressure points  

While sentiment around the GC’s future is overwhelmingly positive, the forum also reinforced that growth comes with challenges. Three issues stood out:  

1. Housing supply and affordability: Strong population growth and migration into SEQ are placing pressure on housing availability. This is increasingly becoming a constraint on workforce mobility and talent attraction. 
2. Infrastructure delivery: Transport connectivity and enabling infrastructure remain critical to supporting the city’s next phase of growth. Ensuring projects are delivered efficiently and at scale will be essential. 
3. Productivity and energy affordability: As businesses scale, productivity and cost pressures, particularly energy, will play a larger role in shaping competitiveness. Addressing these challenges will be central to maintaining momentum and ensuring that growth remains sustainable. 

Talent remains a strength but not without risk  

The GC benefits from strong access to talent, supported by local universities and the broader SEQ labour market.  

However, as the city attracts more investment and high-growth industries, competition for skilled workers will intensify.  

Housing affordability, cost of living and connectivity will all influence the ability to attract and retain talent, particularly from interstate and overseas.  

This reinforces the need for a holistic approach to economic development, where workforce, infrastructure and housing strategies are aligned.  

The Olympic effect: A once-in-a-generation catalyst  

The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games were widely viewed as a transformative opportunity. Beyond the immediate economic uplift, the Games represent a catalyst for:  

• Accelerated infrastructure delivery  
• Increased global visibility  
• Long-term investment attraction  
• Broader economic diversification.

For the GC, this is an opportunity to further cement its position on the global stage, not just as a destination, but as a place to invest, build and scale businesses.  

From momentum to market leadership  

The overall sentiment from the Forum was clear: the GC has reached a level of maturity where it can compete with major capital cities for investment, talent and innovation.  

But with that comes a shift in expectations. The next phase of growth will be defined by the ability to:  

• Translate infrastructure investment into productivity gains  
• Convert population growth into economic value  
• Attract and retain high-quality businesses and talent  
• Maintain policy settings that support innovation and entrepreneurship.

This is where the role of data, insight and evidence-based decision making becomes critical.