Welcome to our June 2014 newsletter for valued members of the Sunshine Coast Business Council.
In this edition:
A New Planning Scheme for the Sunshine Coast
SCBC Board Meets Sunshine Coast State MPs
Economic Futures Board Revealed
State Cabinet Comes to the Sunshine Coast
A New Planning Scheme for the Sunshine Coast
A new planning scheme for the Sunshine Coast Council area commenced on 21 May 2014.
Mayor Mark Jamieson described it as a key tool to help provide the right conditions for business to prosper on the Sunshine Coast.
The new scheme delivers one plan for the region—giving the property industry, investors and residents one set of rules for guiding growth and development.
It is the first scheme in Queensland to fully incorporate the new single State Planning Policy and has been aligned to the goals of the Regional Economic Development Strategy to encourage the right businesses to operate in the right locations across the Sunshine Coast.
One of the ways this has been achieved is by altering assessment levels for a range of uses to make it simpler and cheaper for new business to set up. Many new uses will have a lower level of assessment compared to the existing planning schemes. For example, a home based business like bed and breakfast, home office and home based childcare may be able to set up in the right zones without a development application—saving time and money.
And more flexibility has been given to changing from one tenancy to another in existing buildings in commercial centres without the need for approval— for example if a shop closes down, an office or food and drink outlet could be set up in its place, without lodging a new development application to council. This gives business more freedom to change to meet different market and community needs.
The Sunshine Coast Business Council, together with other Sunshine Coast industry associations, made a comprehensive submission to the draft planning scheme focusing on the scheme’s role in economic development, cutting red tape, and aligning priorities with the regional economic development strategy. The SCBC is currently reviewing the new planning scheme to ensure our recommended changes have been incorporated.
Visit www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/planningscheme for a full copy for the new planning scheme.
SCBC Board Meets Sunshine Coast State MPs
Recently representatives from the Sunshine Coast Business Council and the heads of some of the region’s largest businesses met with Sunshine Coast based MPs in Parliament House.
SCBC Chairperson Sandy Zubrinich said this was the first time Sunshine Coast business leaders had met with all Sunshine Coast based LNP members in such a strong and united manner.
“The SCBC has worked hard to coordinate this first of its kind meeting with our State representatives,” Ms Zubrinich said.
“The message we took was simple – we want business and the Sunshine Coast MPs to ‘hunt as a pack’ with other levels of government and deliver economic benefit to the Sunshine Coast,” Ms Zubrinich said.
Issues discussed at the meeting included:
The benefits that will flow from the Kawana Health Precinct
- The Maroochydore Principal Activity Centre
- Infrastructure priorities, including the much needed Bruce Highway upgrade, and
- State / Local Council responsibility and accountabilities.
The SCBC has enjoyed excellent access to our State MPs during this term of Parliament, including regular meetings with the Premier, key Ministers and Sunshine Coast MPs. The SCBC will continue to report to our members on the outcomes of these meetings on key issues.
Economic Futures Board Revealed
The Sunshine Coast Business Council commends the Sunshine Coast Council on the establishment of an Economic Futures Board to drive the implementation of the Regional Economic Development Strategy (REDS).
Sunshine Coast Business Council Chair Sandy Zubrinich said it was encouraging that council had adopted the Business Council’s recommendation to establish the board, demonstrating council’s willingness to take on board feedback from the business community.
“This is a positive step forward and we are delighted to see the board is comprised of business people who are both senior and very experienced in industry, and who share a connection to the region,” Ms Zubrinich said.
“We are keen to understand the charter for the Economic Future Board and look forward to discussing this with the Mayor when we next meet in mid-June. We believe the role of the board is to provide independent, market-based practical advice on how to improve the region’s economy.”
“We look forward to working with the Economic Futures Board in order to achieve the desired outcome of driving economic growth, creating jobs and delivering a sustainable economy for future generations.”
Mayor Mark Jamieson, who chairs the Futures Board, said the work of this advisory board will guide the transition to, and help build the identity of, the new economy of the Sunshine Coast.
“The board has strong expertise in foreign and domestic commercial markets, finance and investment strategy, as well as in industry innovation, overseas market development, education and commercial communication – and all members have a connection with the Sunshine Coast.”
The board is comprised of:
- Mayor Mark Jamieson (Chair and ex officio member)
- Mr Robert Jones, Queensland Chairman, KPMG
- Ms Jude Munro, Co-owner and Director, Jude Munro and Associates and former Chief Executive Officer of Brisbane City Council
- Ms Katie Bickford, Strategic Business Development Advisor, John Holland Group
- Mr Andrew Pitcher, Senior Vice President of Financial Services and Head of Strategic Industries, SAP in Asia
- Mr David Foster, Director, Seaside Consulting and former Chief Executive Officer, Suncorp Bank
- Mr Adrian Johnston, Vice President, Microsoft Business Solutions Dynamics, Asia
The Sunshine Coast Economic Futures Board has a two-year term and will meet quarterly.
State Cabinet Comes to the Sunshine Coast
The Sunshine Coast Business Council is delighted that State Cabinet will meet on Sunshine Coast on 22 June.
The Sunshine Coast Business Council has recently met with the Premier to request cabinet be held in the region, so that Sunshine Coast businesses can raise issues that affect the region.
“The Sunshine Coast is such an iconic Queensland location and we’re keen to hear how we can continue to move the region forward through industries like tourism and construction, as we promised at the election,” Mr Newman said.
“I would urge locals, business leaders and community groups to take this opportunity to speak directly to the Ministers about issues they feel are important.”
Member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson said local constituents should contact her office as soon as possible to request a meeting.
Member for Caloundra Mark McArdle said he hoped people in the Caloundra Electorate would take part in this innovative process.
Meetings with Ministers will take place on Sunday 22 June at Jubilee Hall, Maroochydore State High School. Meetings on 22 June are by appointment only, and all members of the public are welcome to register their interest.
Meeting request forms are available from www.thepremier.qld.gov.au/community-cabinet.aspx, or by contacting Sunshine Coast State MPs.
Membership
Membership to join the Sunshine Coast Business Council is now open. In our 10 year of service SCBC has only increased fees once, in 2010/11 for companies with over 100 employees. To sustain our organisation’s economic future, this year we have reviewed our membership categories, member benefits and membership fees.
We are inviting our large business to step forward with us to demonstrate even more leadership through their financial commitment by introducing a partnering offer. For larger business (with more than 50 employees) we have increased our fees by $500 and for our smaller members (with less than 50 employees), this year’s fees have increased by $250.
The increase in fees will enable SCBC to continue to strengthen its regional advocacy agenda as the only regionally based business advocacy group. It will also allow us to continue to be a leader for the business community in the area of economic growth and fight for investment, infrastructure and jobs.
Thank you for supporting the Sunshine Coast Business Council and the future of our region and we hope you will stay with us for the next year, and beyond.
To recommend a member to please invite them to visit our website at www.scbusinesscouncil.com.au where application forms are available.
Sandy Zubrinich
SCBC Chairperson