Chief Economic Development Officer Andy Davison says the City of Moreton Bay is entering a defining period of growth as population, investment, infrastructure and international attention converge ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
When Andy Davison talks about Moreton Bay, there’s a sense he believes the city is entering a rare and defining moment in time.
Population growth, international attention, Olympic momentum, infrastructure investment and business confidence are converging at once, creating what he describes as a significant opportunity for Moreton Bay’s future.
“This council isn’t one to wait for the phone to ring. We’re kicking down doors.”
Sitting down with Moreton Daily Business following his appointment as Chief Economic Development Officer, Davison spoke with confidence about what he sees as a broader shift happening across the City of Moreton Bay.
After spending the past five years leading trade and investment for council, he has stepped into the city’s top economic development role at a pivotal time for the City of Moreton Bay, praising the ambition across the organisation from Mayor Peter Flannery and Deputy Mayor Jodie Shipway through to councillors and Chief Executive Officer Scott Waters.
Davison describes the council as collaborative, proactive and willing to think bigger about Moreton Bay’s future.
Focusing on city-defining outcomes
“There’s a difference between doing lots of things and actually moving the needle.”
For Davison, economic development is not simply about activity for activity’s sake. It is about focusing on the priorities that result in city-defining outcomes and going deeper on fewer priorities that can genuinely shape the city’s future, rather than being known for doing a little bit of everything.
A major focus over the next five years will be growing Moreton Bay’s visitor economy, particularly around the city’s coastline and hinterland. Davison believes the combination of beaches, lifestyle, transport connections, university and natural assets is increasingly positioning Moreton Bay as a serious destination in its own right.
Part of that vision includes attracting more high-end accommodation to the city, with a goal of attracting two five-star hotels alongside several new three and four-star hotel developments in the years leading up to the Olympics and Paralympics.
He also sees the planned Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre at Moreton Bay Central as a long-term opportunity, not just as Olympic infrastructure, but as legacy infrastructure long after 2032.
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Creating higher-value jobs
Alongside tourism and events, Davison sees advanced manufacturing as one of the industries capable of helping Moreton Bay move into its next stage of economic maturity.
For him, the opportunity is not about simply attracting more businesses or shifting jobs from one place to another. It is about building the kind of economy that brings new, higher-value jobs into the community.
“We’re getting jobs you want your kids to do.”
Before moving to Australia, Davison worked across international diplomacy and city development, including roles in London, Kyiv, India and parts of Africa and Eastern Europe. He also worked with the Mayor of London during the Olympic Games period, gaining firsthand experience in how cities position themselves globally during periods of transformation and international attention.
While working in London, Davison regularly collaborated with Brisbane through international city partnerships, making his eventual move to Brisbane Economic Development Agency a natural fit after relocating to Australia with his wife and family.
Looking beyond 2032
That global perspective continues to shape how he views Moreton Bay’s future, particularly the value of international city partnerships. For Davison, those relationships “transcend politics” because “they move quicker and they always have an objective”.
Those relationships are becoming increasingly important as Moreton Bay strengthens ties with key international markets including Japan, New Zealand and Los Angeles ahead of the Games.
For Davison, the years leading into 2032 represent a rare opportunity for Moreton Bay to elevate its reputation nationally and internationally.
“When you hear the mayor talk about our time is now, I would genuinely say it’s not just now, it’s this week, it’s tomorrow and it’s the day after.”
Despite his international background, Davison’s enthusiasm for the city feels deeply personal. He recalled arriving in Moreton Bay with his family in 2018 and immediately sensing its potential.
“Something mega is happening here.”
Now, as Moreton Bay continues to grow on both a national and international stage, Davison believes the city’s biggest challenge may no longer be getting attention, but keeping up with its own momentum.
“City of Moreton Bay, we’re too good to ignore.”
