business the rna INTERVIEW BY KATHRYN LINDGREN
jonathan tunny AFTER SEVEN YEARS IN THE MAKING, CONSTRUCTION ON THE WORLD-CLASS $2.9 BILLION RNA SHOWGROUNDS REGENERATION HAS BEGUN. THANKS TO RNA CHIEF EXECUTIVE JONATHAN TUNNY AND HIS TEAM, THE ICONIC SHOWGROUNDS WILL BECOME A LIFESTYLE AND CULTURAL HUB FOR THE COMMUNITY TO ACCESS ALL YEAR ROUND. A chartered accountant by profession, Jonathan has been a member of the Brisbane business community for more than 30 years. He recalls that he was heavily influenced by his accountant father, who later became his employer and partner. “My mother also later became an accountant and my grandparents ran the old Hotel Victoria, formerly located on the now Queensland Performing Arts Centre site, so I was surrounded by people in business from a young age,” he explains. Following the sale of the family accounting firm, and then a well-earned break, Jonathan’s skills were perfectly matched to a position on the RNA Council in 2001 followed by his appointment to chief executive in 2002. With the RNA showing a significant loss at the time, his first task was to steer it towards a profitable and secure future by encouraging the implementation of innovative, sustainable and commercially viable initiatives. “The development was initiated by the need to better use the grounds and ensure profit,” confirms Jonathan. Designed to support the redevelopment and the continued operation of the RNA Showgrounds, the new business model would also ensure that the Ekka was able to continue to grow and develop as Queensland’s largest event. “But the tradition 36
of the grounds is to be maintained, respected and enhanced,” Jonathan reassures. Stage one of the development includes transforming the Industrial Pavilion into a world-class convention and exhibition centre and the delivery of inner-city fresh produce markets. Other major stages will occur over 15 years, including the development of Grand Parade, Ekka Plaza and a hotel as well as a series of special public spaces, connected by an intricate network of lanes, streets and bikeways for the community. “These spaces will strike the perfect balance between a thriving annual show, a year-round events program and a vibrant new mixed-use urban village community,” says Jonathan. WHAT MAKES BRISBANE UNIQUE? Friendliness. Without a doubt, Brisbane people are happy to stop and chat or just say hello. You experience it everywhere and it’s a great asset for a community to have. WHAT CHANGE HAS OCCURRED IN BRISBANE IN RECENT YEARS THAT HAS HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU? In recent years, Brisbane has emerged to become a truly global city, and a place for business and investment, major events, conventions, and tourism. Plus, we have world-class research facilities and great educational institutions.
Favourite Brisbane ... Experience Time with family. Suburb Indooroopilly. Restaurant I can’t go past my wife’s home cooking. Cafe Piaf. Bar Cattlemen’s Bar at the Ekka. Escape Bike riding on Brisbane cycle tracks. Weekend Activity Cycling to South Bank. Picnic Spot Stockman’s Rest at the Ekka. Retailer Tom Wallace Cycles. Landmarks RNA Showgrounds.
WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING CURRENTLY HAPPENING IN BRISBANE?
The $2.9 billion 15-year RNA Showgrounds Regeneration Project. This is the biggest urban renewal in Queensland and is a once-ina-lifetime project. It is a project of major historic, cultural and social significance as it safeguards the legacy of the 22 hectare site, the home of the beloved Royal Queensland Show (Ekka), while also transforming the grounds into a world-class lifestyle and cultural hub for the community to access all year round. DESCRIBE YOUR VISION OF BRISBANE IN 2017 A vibrant, friendly destination that attracts a diversity of investment, and offers great business opportunities and incentives. In 2017, our RNA Showgrounds Regeneration Project will be helping put Brisbane on the map even more as it transforms this amazing 22 hectares, 1.6 kilometres from the CBD into a world-class events and entertainment precinct.
How is business in Brisbane? There is no doubt the floods have impacted heavily on business. However, the community spirit and civic pride shown helped the recovery process enormously and I think the people of Brisbane should be proud of that. I think it’s important the message gets through that Brisbane is open for business and we truly are Australia’s new world city.