But the city council also has come in for a lashing from business leaders who see economic recovery on the tourism strip being thwarted by a confrontational bureaucracy.

The quarterly Griffith University-Gold Coast Bulletin Business Confidence Index has revealed 51 per cent of respondents were bracing for a disaster-driven downturn although many thought the impact would be short-term.

The good news was a modest 6 per cent increase in positive views for the Coast's economy, at least until the end of this financial year.

Reserved optimism emerged in the Coast's key property and tourism sectors but business leaders were worried by the time it was taking for the city to move up a gear.

They also worried rising interest rates and household bills would present ongoing challenges.

"While the Coast was lucky to escape the extreme impacts of Queensland's catastrophic weather events some on-going economic damage is feared," Griffith Business School Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Powell, said.

"The poll also revealed respondents believe the retail sector will continue to struggle in 2011, however if tourism and property grow, there should be a much needed positive
flow-through."

Professor Powell said rising interest rates and the performance of both the local and state governments were a major worry for the property sector.

The positives came from a resurgence in sporting and entertainment events and major infrastructure works, such as the light rail.

Among the survey respondents, property veteran Max Christmas feared the property market would not recover until 2013.