The regional focus on de-amalgamation is blinding the community and some business leaders to the alarming state of the Sunshine Coast economy, Sunshine Coast Business Council chairwoman Sandy Zubrinich says.
Ms Zubrinich said the business council was concerned de-amalgamation was now a major distraction for regional leaders at a time when they should be focused on driving crucial economic growth.
She said while the possible split was understandably a concern for some ratepayers, the council’s research had highlighted a frightening bigger picture that required urgent attention.
“Population growth on the Sunshine Coast peaked in 2003 at 150% of the Queensland average and has been spiralling downward to a point where it is now only 50% of the Queensland average,” she said.
“Since 2005, residential and commercial construction has declined dramatically, tourism has been flat, and gross regional product and salaries on the Sunshine Coast both fell below the state average.
“When our economic performance is compared with other regions throughout Queensland, we have been languishing towards the bottom of the list for years.
“With the continuing loss of young people and skilled workers from our region, our position will not change until we see more institutional
investment in infrastructure and services like the Sunshine Coast University Hospital.
“Immediate action is needed to attract investment and skilled workers to the Coast, but instead the talk is about whether the region should be represented by one or two local authorities.
“That is just moving the deckchairs while the ship sinks.”
Ms Zubrinich said those challenges were not insurmountable provided there was a concerted and collective effort, with clear objectives to be achieved within specific timeframes.
The business council’s research indicated the Coast economy had made very limited progress since 2006 and that trend must not be allowed to continue.
Source: www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au