Redland City Council candidate Todd Reinke plans to champion young people's causes as his campaign for election begins.
Mr Reinke, who emigrated from New Zealand 13 years ago, is passionate about keeping young people in the area, growing the tourism industry and filling empty commercial buildings.
He will campaign to set up a university in the Redlands, which coincides with the new runway being built at Brisbane Airport.
The Redlands, he said, was in prime position to take advantage of the facility upgrade by building a university.
"You're only 35 minutes from Brisbane Airport, depending on traffic," he said.
"The biggest part of the market is local students, but if 20 per cent of them are foreign students, it really helps a university."
The new runway could also bring more tourists into Redlands, boosting the area's economy.
"Tourism is a great thing to bring different people into different areas," Mr Reinke said.
"They bring other currencies in with them. It helps economies in a big way."
The 53-year-old, from Christchurch, said his life experience stood him in good stead for election.
The ex-military man was in the emergency response team at the 2013 Nauru detention centre riot. He has also worked in construction and project management.
Mr Reinke and a business partner are building units for first-home buyers at Wellington Point.
"I've done a lot of stuff," he said.
"That's important. You don't just want someone who has done one thing. I think you do need people with business experience in councils."
Mr Reinke, who is married with four children, lamented the lack of opportunity for young people in the Redlands.
"I think it's a big problem," he said.
"There's nothing built up for younger people here. I've seen it with my family."
Mr Reinke will stand in division 1 against Cr Wendy Boglary, who has served three terms.
"She will be hard to beat," he said.
