Draft Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme
Members of the Sunshine Coast community have one opportunity to make submissions on the draft regional planning scheme before it is adopted by Council mid-next year.
The document was officially launched on 19 October and will be available for comment until 4.30pm on Friday 14 December.
Council has organised a series of static displays and community forums during this consultation period, with planning staff on hand to answer questions and provide further details.
Businesses seeking specific information about how the new scheme will affect their property are also being encouraged to make an appointment for a face-to-face meeting with one of Council’s planning staff.
<p >Business Council Chair, Sandy Zubrinich, said the business council will be reviewing the draft scheme closely.
“It is vital to the future of the Sunshine Coast that the new planning scheme is built on a solid economic strategy, and that the planning regulations and their implementation by Council encourage economic investment to our region,” she said.
Planning portfolio spokesman, Cr Russell Green, said a key feature of the document was the streamlining of Council processes to allow appropriate development to proceed without unnecessary delays.
“Council has endeavoured to make the process simpler for the right development to occur in the right place,” he said.
The Sunshine Coast Business Council will be making a submission on behalf of its members and we encourage you to let us know your views on the draft document.
For further information visit www.haveyoursay.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.
Hospital Milestone
The Sunshine Coast Business Council has welcomed news that construction of the new university hospital would officially commence this month, following a ceremonial sod turning on the site in late September.
Business Council Chair, Sandy Zubrinich, said the much-anticipated $2 billion hospital would provide a massive boost to the local economy and put the Sunshine Coast on the map as a leading region in the health and wellbeing sectors.
“This project means much more than the headline figures – the thousands of jobs being created and the many millions pouring into the Coast during the construction phase,” Ms Zubrinich said.
“There will be significant, ongoing benefits for businesses right across the Coast when it is completed.
“The hospital and health precinct is set to alter our economic profile and allow the Sunshine Coast to reposition itself as much more than a tourist and lifestyle region.
“This project is receiving national and international media coverage and will enhance the Sunshine Coast’s reputation as a region with great potential and skilled employment opportunities.”
Stella Announcement
Hot on the heels of the hospital sod turning, an overseas-based company revealed plans to open an office on the Sunshine Coast and create 190 local jobs.
Stellar Asia Pacific Pty Ltd, a leading international provider of contact centre and business process outsourcing solutions, employs more than 4000 staff in Europe, Asia, the United States and Australia.
The company said it would establish an office in the new Domain complex in Maroochy Boulevard and has already held several information sessions for prospective employees.
The business council welcomes Stella to the region and wishes the company a long and successful association with the Sunshine Coast.
De-Amalgamation Process
The Local Government Minister has named Noosa as one of five former council areas whose case for de-amalgamation will be considered by the Queensland Boundaries Commissioner, Col Meng.
Mr Meng, assisted by the Queensland Treasury Corporation, is now examining the costs and other implications of a potential split from the regional council, and will hand his final report and recommendations to the Minister by 28 November.
This month Sunshine Coast Council passed a motion at its Ordinary Meeting to clarify its position on Noosa’s proposed de-amalgamation in response to a request from Mr Meng.
Councillors voted 9-3 in favour of the region remaining united and the Sunshine Coast Business Council supports this view.
Business council Chair Sandy Zubrinich said the business council’s research findings released earlier this year made it clear the region was facing significant economic challenges and action was needed to reverse some concerning trends.
Ms Zubrinich said the Sunshine Coast needed to remain focused on creating jobs, economic growth and delivering critical major projects and de-amalgamation would be a significant distraction from these priorities.
“We have a number of key projects in the pipeline where we need to convince private investors and other levels of government to provide funding to see them through,” she said.
“We need to be putting all our energy into working together in the best interests of the region and now is certainly not the time to be sidetracked by de-amalgamation.”
Events
Sunshine Coast Futures: Sustainable Villages Conference
Join Sunshine Coast business leaders and policy makers as they explore our region’s unique identities and why they are important at the Sunshine Coast Futures: Sustainable Villages conference.
The conference is jointly hosted by the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) and the Sunshine Coast Council, and will be held at the Innovation Centre in Sippy Downs on Friday, 2 November.
Registration for the conference is just $50. To download a copy of the conference brochure or to register your attendance, visit www.sunshinecoastfutures.com.au.
For further information, contact Professor Mike Hefferan at the University of the Sunshine Coast on 5456 5169.
Annual General Meeting
The Sunshine Coast Business Council will hold its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, 21 November 2012 at Mooloolaba TAFE from 5.30pm.
All members are invited to attend and will receive information about the agenda in coming weeks.