“Sunshine Coast political leaders often talk about transformative and game-changing projects to highlight the importance of major infrastructure. In the past this has been an effective strategy for the Sunshine Coast region’s mayors and politicians to garner support for specific infrastructure projects, but we wonder if it is enough going forward or if we need to take a more holistic view.
“We are living with the consequences of housing affordability, housing availability, lack of housing supply, lack of land supply, increasing building and development costs, a lack of skilled labour and sadly, as a result, increasing homelessness in our region. Already we are falling behind the Federal Government’s target of 1.2 million new houses within five years. At a national level, in year one of the Government’s target, new housing completions are estimated to be around 163,000 rather than the 240,000 required.
“Queensland’s target under the national accord is 49,000 new homes with only 32,800 new dwellings approved in the 2023/24 financial year, 34 per cent below the state target. The situation on the Sunshine Coast is a similar story, with dwelling approvals tracking at 3,100 for last financial year against a regional target of 3,900 dwellings. This is the lowest number since 2015.
“Furthermore, we are in the grip of a private sector investment slump and burgeoning public sector debt to fund the major transport, health, education, social and other infrastructure this nation needs to provide for its population and economic growth. Then, there is the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games for the Queensland State Government to fund and prepare for — now only eight years away.
“With this backdrop in mind, Sunshine Coast Business Council (SCBC) calls on state and local governments to take a more holistic approach and create some context to position and explain to our communities the multiple and complex issues we face and how proposed investment in major infrastructure will underpin the lifestyle and prosperity we all want for the future, and create a productive economy.
“The recent release of Sunshine Coast Council’s State Election Priorities is a mix of well-needed and publicised large transport infrastructure projects, several innovation projects and two policy and statutory changes.
“SCBC supports the Sunshine Coast Council’s position on transport infrastructure, however we believe it is time to address the structural changes needed to ensure that infrastructure is planned, approved, funded and developed expediently in line with future state and region direction and budgets and not ideology or political expediency. We are operating in a challenging environment, and we need to make the right choices for the future, always considering current priorities and what is in the best interest of the state and the region.
“Therefore, we are seeking the future elected State Government to:
- Unlock economic activity by facilitating the increased supply of land for employment and housing as outlined in Shaping SEQ 2023, including unlocking the supply of housing at Yandina, Bli Bi, Beerwah East and retaining Halls Creek (all included in Shaping SEQ 2023) as a longer-term growth area and to deliver the housing supply required to satisfy population growth.
- Deliver the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast to the Maroochydore City Centre by 2032 so that it plays a key role in activating Australia’s largest greenfield city centre development.
- Deliver the full Mooloolah River Interchange (MRI) to reduce the high level of congestion currently experienced and to provide a direct transport connection between the Sunshine Coast Hospital and the Sunshine Motorway at Mooloolaba.
- Address the significant decline in the number of apprentices commencing and completing apprenticeships across all trades, including strategies and funding to ensure the short, medium and long-term provision of apprentices and other skilled resources required to deliver development and support the labour and talent demands of a growing and innovative region.
- Reduce development fees, taxes and charges to boost investor confidence, economic activity, create jobs and deliver the sustainable infrastructure, particularly housing and hotels, so urgently required.
“I think we would all agree that governments and councils have the responsibility to spend taxpayers and ratepayers’ funds to better the prosperity and living standards of the people they represent. Investors, on the other hand, have a responsibility to provide financial benefit to their shareholders and to fulfil their obligations, so they look for certainty in the economy, planning schemes and development processes, and importantly, in the locations they choose to invest. They have options and if we want private sector investment then we need to be regarded as one of the best regions to invest in and in which to do business. We are not there yet.”
For more information on the Sunshine Coast Business Council and membership enquiries, visit www.scbusinesscouncil.com.au.
