What can we expect for the economic performance of the Sunshine Coast in 2017?

That’s the question the Sunshine Coast Business Council (SCBC) will consider when more than 30 members, politicians and local government representatives come together at the annual Strategic Direction Discussion hosted by the not-for-profit organisation on Thursday, 9 March.

The discussion session – being held at Surfair Beach Hotel in Marcoola – will hear from representatives from the three tiers of government on their views of the Coast’s performance and what to expect in 2017, particularly around employment, transport and investment attraction.

Sunshine Coast Business Council Chair Sandy Zubrinich said collaboration amongst all parties was essential to ensuring everyone was on the same page, and achieving shared goals for the region.

“The Sunshine Coast can only prosper if we tackle issues affecting the area with a unified approach, so it’s encouraging to see the willingness of key stakeholders to come to the table with business council members and participate in this event,” Ms Zubrinich said.

“Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien will provide an update regarding happenings at a national level and what these mean for the Sunshine Coast, and we’ll also have Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson discussing the impacts of the proposed state electorate redistribution boundaries.”

“As we know, the Sunshine Coast is set to gain another seat between Noosa and Maroochydore, so Fiona will outline the implications and benefits this poses for the Sunshine Coast community.”

Ms Zubrinich said Noosa Mayor Tony Wellington would outline Noosa Council’s economic agenda in 2017 and Mr Greg Laverty from Sunshine Coast Council would deliver an update on Council’s investment attraction strategies. The CEO of Regional Development Australia Sunshine Coast, Mr Darrell Edwards, will provide an update of the RDA’s work on bringing parties together on regional priorities for an integrated transport strategy.

“These presentations will take place in the morning and allow time for speakers to answer questions from the audience,” Ms Zubrinich said.

“We’ll then hear from a variety of Sunshine Coast Business Council members across a range of industries about their outlook for the Sunshine Coast moving forward.”

“This includes members from the property development and construction sectors, right through to tourism bodies, chambers of commerce, telecommunication outlets and education institutions like TAFE East Coast and the University of the Sunshine Coast.”

Ms Zubrinich said as part of the session, the Sunshine Coast Business Council aimed to confirm its advocacy focus areas for 2017, maintaining a focus on job growth, investment and infrastructure delivery aimed at maximising the economic growth from major projects.

“Hearing from our members enables us to take stock and see how the Sunshine Coast Business Council is performing as an advocate, as well as determining if we are focused on the right areas for our members and the regional economy.”

The Sunshine Coast Business Council is the leading regional business advocacy group on the Sunshine Coast representing approximately 4,000 businesses through its membership, which includes key national and regional industry groups and their members as well as national and regional businesses.

It will host the Strategic Direction Discussion between 8.30am and 1.00pm on Thursday, 9 March at Surfair Beach Hotel in Marcoola.