He's not as tall as you think … but by no means is he short and he is very personable.

Federal opposition leader Malcolm Turnbull was on the Coast last week to open Evans Harch’s $10million commercial and professional building Capitol One at Lake Kawana.

Having eased his way through the media scrum and questions ranging from the state of the economy to Traveston Crossing Dam and his personal wealth, he made his way into Capitol One, first to inspect the start-up company Snapsil, which specialises in one-serve sealed utensils.

Knowing he was a keen body surfer at Bondi in his home town of Sydney I took the opportunity to ask if he had been swimming at Mooloolaba.

No, not that he could remember.

And he wouldn’t have time this visit.

He must have thought it was a trick question, like when asked on ABC Radio’s Breakfast Show what AFL team he followed and he said The Roosters.

Yet, he did correct himself on that, saying he followed The Roosters in the NRL and the Swans in AFL.

Here was a man who had made his way up from journalism, through the finance sector and into politics.

He told guests at the opening of Capitol One to never underestimate lifestyle in attracting business.

People who can create will chose to live here, he said.

Lifestyle and beaches, which we often think as secondary, are an essential factor, not just for tourists.

It underpins the vitality, the enterprise of this location.

And he was right.

Capital One will house small to medium-sized businesses.

It takes advantage of its lakeside location, designed to maximise natural light and ventilation.

Snapsil managing director Brad Teys also reminded us of the benefits of doing business in such an area.

And that if you provide the right environment you can compete in the global village.

The Sunshine Coast is an absolutely great place to live, he said: the lifestyle, the quality of buildings, the architecture.

The region has come into its own.

Our building and technology will have global impact.

Brad reflected how he loved to go surfing and how the Sunshine Coast has ability to encourage young companies to get up and running … like we can of a morning, he quipped.

Here, we have a great outlook.

Great people are the answer to getting a business up and running.

Australians are looked upon as innovators.

It’s part of our culture and heritage.

The way we have grown from a barren land to where we are today is pretty gutsy.

Sydney Harbour Bridge was built more than 70 years ago but is still the longest single-span bridge in the world.

It’s that have-a-go attitude which is to be celebrated.