Welcome to our May 2013 newsletter for valued members of the Sunshine Coast Business Council.
Council economic development strategy
The Sunshine Coast Business Council has applauded Council’s release on Wednesday of a draft economic development strategy for the region.The Business Council has been calling on Council for some time to elevate the importance of economic development within Council and to release its plan showing how the region will recover from the current dire economic conditions.
Before the last local Council election, the Business Council released research revealing the Sunshine Coast ranked third-last amongst other region’s in Queensland according to a series of economic measures. The Business Council set a bold target to have a workforce of 250,000 jobs to support its projected population of 500,000.
We are pleased Council has been equally as bold in its response by aiming to triple the size of the Sunshine Coast economy by 2033.
The Sunshine Coast Business Council invites its members to a presentation by Council on the Sunshine Coast Economic Development Strategy so that you can better understand the economic strategy and ask your questions directly to the Sunshine Coast Council. The meeting is to be held on Tuesday, 11 June 2013, between 12 noon – 2:00 pm at the Caloundra Council Chambers. RSVP to the presentation can be made by emailing the Business Council at info@scbusinesscouncil.com.au by no later than Wednesday, 5 June 2013.
Members are encouraged to attend and have your say or provide us with feedback on the draft economic development strategy by emailing us at info@scbusiness.com.au.
The draft economic development strategy can be viewed on the Council’s web site – www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.
Asian forum success
More than 100 business leaders from the Sunshine Coast attended the Business Council’s Asian forum on 11 April 2013 at the Innovation Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast.
Attendees heard industry leaders Ted Pretty (Hills Holdings Limited), Andrew Foo (Singapore Australia Business Council) and Nussara Smith (Overseas Market Development: Asia), talk about their business experiences in Asia, and how the Sunshine Coast could maximise the opportunity presented by the growing middle class in Asia.
The Queensland Attorney General, Jarrod Bleijie reconfirmed the State Government’s commitment to support the Sunshine Coast economy, including taking advantage of opportunities presented by investment from Asia.
Business Council research released at the forum showed the Sunshine Coast was suffering economically well before the impact of the global financial crisis. At the forum, Business Council Director Gwyn Jarrott, outlined the Business Councils’ priorities to step change the region to a new economy:
- Adopt an agreed regional economic plan based on the 5 economic pillars of health, education, agribusiness and food, tourism and urban professional services.
- Create a regulatory environment which encourages new business and innovation reduces the impediments to businesses and includes the Sunshine Coast Council implementing recommended changes to the region’s planning scheme.
- Deliver without delay, key infrastructure including the duplication of the Bruce Highway (between Caboolture and the Sunshine Coast), the upgrade to the Sunshine Coast airport and delivery of an information and technology backbone for the Sunshine Coast.
- Maximise the ripple effect from the region’s identified transformational projects, specifically:
- deliver Maroochydore as the region’s key economic, cultural and conferencing centre
- implement the Kawana health precinct action plan, including the appointment of a precinct project director and
- deliver the planned Sippy Downs town centre as the region’s education and innovation centre.
- The business community, Federal and State governments, and the new Sunshine Coast and Noosa Councils must collaborate to advocate for regional economic and cultural change towards a new economy.
Photos and speaker presentations can be viewed at the business council’s web site – www.scbusinesscouncil.com.au.
Council delivers incentives for new business
Staying with the theme of opportunities in Asia, Sunshine Coast Business Council congratulates Mayor Mark Jamieson on the successful investment mission to four major Chinese cities including the capital Beijing.
The mission has spread the word about the Coast’s major investment projects including the Maroochydore CBD and the Sunshine Coast Airport’s new runway, as well as exploring export opportunities. Delegates from 10 Sunshine Coast businesses and educational institutions also accompanied the Mayor on the Xiamen leg of the mission.
The Business Council has invited the Sunshine Coast Council to work with the business community to prepare an action plan to keep driving the entry in to the Asian markets. We are looking to conduct this forum in August.
New members
This month we welcome Australia Zoo and Palmer Coolum Resort as new members of the Sunshine Coast Business Council. Both are iconic businesses that contribute significantly to our region and we are delighted to them both as members.
Membership to join the Sunshine Coast Business Council is now open. To recommend a member to your own network of leading local businesses, please invite them to visit our website at www.scbusinesscouncil.com.au where application forms are available.