Planning Scheme
Hello and welcome to our final newsletter for 2012. We end the year with the close of submissions for one of the most important documents for the future of the Sunshine Coast, the draft regional planning scheme.
The first regional planning scheme will have far-reaching implications and we believe it is imperative that it contains measures to encourage economic growth, employment and investment.
The Sunshine Coast Business Council was one of eleven business and industry associations that contributed to a group submission highlighting key concerns, issues and omissions in the draft document.
This submission was prepared by:
- Sunshine Coast Business Council
- Property Council of Australia
- Master Builders
- Urban Development Institute of Australia (Queensland)
- Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland
- Sunshine Coast Chambers of Commerce Alliance
- Australian Institute of Architects
- Australian Institute of Landscape Architects
- Surveying and Spatial Sciences Institute
- Independent Private Certifiers Association of Queensland Inc.
- Australian Institute of Building Surveyors
It was the combined effort of more than 60 individuals who committed more than 1,000 hours of their time over the eight-week submission period, reflecting the importance of the planning scheme to the local business community.
We believe in its current form, the draft document has missed an opportunity to provide a forward looking vision for the future. Rather, it is a rehash of the past, and is simply based on the three existing planning schemes.
We also believe council’s economic development strategy should have been prepared first and incorporated into the draft document.
The SCBC will continue to work with council on behalf of its members in an effort to ensure these issues are addressed before the final planning scheme is adopted next year.
De-amalgamation
On 6 December, Local Government Minister, David Crisafulli, announced that Noosa residents would proceed to a referendum next year to decide whether to break away from the regional council.
We were disappointed by this decision and remain concerned that de-amalgamation, at this time, will be a distraction at a time when the region needs to focus on creating jobs, economic growth and delivering critical major projects.
The Queensland Treasury Corporation Report says it would cost $13.65 million in the first year to establish a new Noosa council – or $260 for each Noosa ratepayer – and the ongoing cost for each ratepayer would be $142 a year.
As the Minister has said, de-amalgamation is a serious and expensive undertaking and it will be up to the residents of the former council area to decide if the community gain is worth the financial pain.
The early indications are that this issue will divide our region in more ways than one.
We urge that cool heads prevail and that Noosa residents read the Boundaries Commissioner’s report and objectively examine the facts and future costs associated with any split before they cast their vote next year.
Looking ahead
2012 has been a year characterised by dramatic change in some areas and more of the same in others. Local and state government elections heralded a new direction for both the Sunshine Coast and Queensland, but consumers remained cautious due to ongoing economic uncertainty.
Nonetheless, we have witnessed some welcome developments in our region, not the least of which was the start of construction on the long-awaited university hospital and health precinct at Kawana.
In 2013, we will see this major project begin to take shape and anticipate progress on both the airport expansion and new Central Business District in Maroochydore.
There are exciting times ahead with these and other transformational projects providing new opportunities for growth and future prosperity.
We encourage council to elevate the development of a regional economic strategy to the top of its list of priorities for 2013 to ensure we maximise these opportunities and SCBC stands ready to assist in that process.
Christmas wishes
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our members for their support throughout 2012. On behalf of the Sunshine Coast Business Council, I wish you and your loved ones a safe and merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year. I look forward to working with you again in 2013.
Sandy Zubrinich
Chair, Sunshine Coast Business Council