That was the question at the heart of the recent Gold Coast Bulletin Future Gold Coast campaign and event, which brought together leaders from across business, government, education and industry to explore the opportunities shaping our city’s future.
While the discussions explored everything from artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure to healthcare, housing and transport, one message resonated throughout the day… great cities aren’t built overnight. They’re shaped through decades of investment, collaboration and long-term thinking.
At the same time, the pace of change, particularly in areas like AI and emerging technologies, is accelerating faster than ever. The challenge for cities like the Gold Coast is balancing both by making smart long-term investments while remaining agile enough to embrace new opportunities as they arise.
Those conversations strongly reflected the role the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct is playing in helping shape a smarter Gold Coast. As the Precinct celebrates 25 years of transforming lives through collaboration, it was no coincidence that its people, partnerships and projects featured prominently throughout the Future Gold Coast campaign.
From Griffith University’s Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics (IBG) Executive Director Professor Paul Clarke and General Manager Dr Chris Davis sharing how biotech breakthroughs are moving from the lab towards real-world impact, to Professor Mark von Itzstein AO being recognised among the city’s leaders to watch, the campaign highlighted the depth of innovation already taking place within the Precinct and its growing contribution to the city’s future.
At the Future Gold Coast event, Griffith University Vice President (Industry and External Engagement) Professor Bronwyn Harch shared a compelling vision for the city’s future, highlighting the importance of digital infrastructure, including subsea connectivity, data centres and initiatives such as a Making it Matter Lab, to help position the Gold Coast as a globally connected innovation city.
The future of healthcare also featured strongly, with Gold Coast Health Chief Digital Officer Domenic Girolamo outlining how connected healthcare, virtual wards and AI-enabled monitoring could transform the way care is delivered, improving patient outcomes while helping meet the needs of a growing city.
Together, these conversations reinforced a simple truth that smart cities are not defined by technology alone. They are built through connected ecosystems where education, healthcare, research, industry and government work together to solve real-world challenges, create opportunities and improve lives.
Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct Director Craig Rowsell said the campaign reinforced the importance of taking a long-term view while continuing to embrace new opportunities.
“The power of a precinct ecosystem is to supercharge progress through collaboration and support. That’s how we accelerate innovation, attract investment and create opportunities that help shape the Gold Coast’s future.”
As the Gold Coast continues its journey towards becoming a smarter, more connected city, the conversations sparked through Future Gold Coast are a timely reminder that today’s vision becomes tomorrow’s legacy.
Image Source: Gold Coast Bulletin, Portia Large
