If you told a younger Janine Watson that she would be the CEO of an organisation that represents a workforce of more than 15,000 people and 20,000 students, she would not have believed you. For the woman in charge, building Business South Bank to its 20-year mark has been a labour of love. When asked about her role as chief executive officer, she smiles. “Who wouldn’t like working here?” Watson says. “I love this job because it gives me exposure to the culture and people of over 150 companies. The diversity within these organisations keeps the job fresh and interesting.”
Spending 12 years with the organisation thus far, Watson has watched the precinct flourish with a stream of incoming businesses. Large organisations like Flight Centre and Aria Property Group have caused a large influx of workers and residents to join the area. But what Watson notices most is not what has changed in the precinct, but what has stayed the same. And that is the vibrancy and diversity of people who come here. “At any one time, you might see students walking around with musical instruments, but in another area of the precinct, you’ve got students painting on easels. Or you’ll have somebody walking around in a bikini that’s just come off the beach, and then you’ve got corporate types like me around. You’ve got this real diversity of not only how people dress, but just how they use this precinct.”
Watson believes Business South Bank has been successful because it continues to grow with the precinct. The organisation was originally set up in 1999 to be the voice of businesses in South Bank, but now it also serves two secondary purposes, to be a networking platform for organisations and to be a communication source for the members throughout South Brisbane.
Business South Bank is a non profit and non government organisation. Watson says earning the trust of governments has been one of the reasons for the group’s continued success. “In the last six to seven years we have been truly recognised by the government as an organisation that needs to be listened to.”
Watson recalls former Lord Mayor Graham Quirk describing what is special about Business South Bank at the 20th anniversary celebration night. He said, “it’s an organisation that goes to the government, not with complaints but with suggestions for how to improve and how to work with the government about fixing things.” Business South Bank’s vision for the future is to be more proactive. Watson said it is important that the organisation brings forward ideas to the government about how the people of South Bank want to see the precinct develop in the next 20 years.
More specific goals for the organisation include more laneways and connection points between the cultural forecourt and Musgrave Park, as well as greater transport connections. In particular, Watson hopes to see bus loop services to keep people in the area rather than flushing them to the city. Most of all, Watson wishes to continue to sustain the business community that is based here and ensure the precinct is the best it can be.
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