Builder Bob Ell is named the Gold Coast’s prosperous man as revealed in annual rich list.

THE Gold Coast has placed fifth overall when it comes to cities and territories that home the nation’s richest peopleThe BRW Rich List includes six Gold Coast-based people — beating out capital cities including Adelaide and Hobart.Budds Beach-based billionaire developer Bob Ell was the top Gold Coaster, coming in at number 39.“High-rise” Harry Triguboff, the Sydney based developer who has built some of the Gold Coast’s biggest projects has been knocked off the top spot.
Bob Ell.The prolific apartment developer and Meriton founder, who is behind the 55-storey Sundale tower at Southport, was beaten to first place by recycling magnate Anthony Pratt.However, he finished ahead of perennial rich list favourite Gina Rinehart as his wealth increased from $10.62 billion to $11.45 billion since last year.Mr Pratt is executive chairman of Pratt Industries in the US and cardboard box and recycling giant Visy in Australia.The 2017 rich list features 60 billionaires — the most ever in its 34 year history — and the total wealth of all rich listers has soared to $233.1 billion. But the number of women is down from a record 23 in 2016. Women have comprised around 10 per cent of the list for some time, Financial Review Rich List editor John Stensholt said.Harry Triguboff. Photo: Jerad Williams“It’s disappointing quite frankly and it just shows you how difficult it is for female entrepreneurs in this country to make the big money,” he said.The second richest woman in Australia, Gina Rinehart’s daughter Bianca, controls 23 per cent of Hancock Prospecting and has an estimated wealth of $2.74 billion.Departures from the list include the late James Fairfax and Zip founder Michael Crouch.