Welcome to our September 2014 newsletter for valued members of the Sunshine Coast Business Council.
In this edition:
- Queensland Plan Adds Weight to Existing Regional Plans
- Business Council leaders address the Sunshine Coast
- Sunshine Coast Airport Expansion Project takes off
- TAFE East Coast Partners with SC Business Council
Queensland Plan Adds Weight to Existing Regional Plans
The Sunshine Coast Business Council has welcomed the recent release of The Queensland Plan 30 Year Vision, however would like to remind the region’s political leaders that action is more important than words.
Sunshine Coast Business Council Chair Sandy Zubrinich said multiple government plans now exist or are being planned for the Sunshine Coast, including the Queensland Plan, the Regions Q framework, the review of the SEQ regional plan, the Sunshine Coat regional economic development strategy, planning scheme, corporate plan and various lists of infrastructure priorities. Recently news of a Sunshine Coast vision prepared by the Sunshine Coast based State MPs was also announced.
“While the Sunshine Coast Business Council had previously called for a comprehensive economic development strategy for the region, the large quantity of new plans and vision statements has the potential to contradict each other, and confuse the community,” Ms Zubrinich said.
“What the Sunshine Coast business community requires is for all levels of government to collaborate and agree on a single list of priorities to grow the Sunshine Coast economy and we are not there yet,” Ms Zubrinich said.
The region’s first economic development strategy prepared by the current Sunshine Coast Council in collaboration with the Sunshine Coast Business Council, has now been in effect for 12 months. Council will commence a 12 month review in September to ensure the implementation of the plan is on track.
Ms Zubrinich said this first annual review was an opportunity to fine tune the strategy, clarify the priorities of Council, and ensure local and State government plans are aligned.
More information about the Sunshine Coast Council’s economic vision for the region is available here – www.business.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.
More information about the State Government 30 Year Vision for the region and the State is available here – www.queenslandplan.qld.gov.au.
Business Council leaders address the Sunshine Coast
Representatives from one of Australia’s most influential business groups, the Business Council of Australia (BCA), addressed members and guests on Thursday, 14 August.
BCA Chief Executive Jennifer Westacott and Chief Economist (Acting) and Policy Director Simon Pryor visited the region at the invitation of SCBC to address members about the how the BCA’s influenced government policies. As an example Ms Westacott talked about how the Action Plan for Enduring Prosperity was received within the national business and government communities when it was released 12 months ago and how the BCA have progressed the actions of that report since its release.
She also discussed the update to the Enduring Prosperity Plan which focused on Building Australia’s Competitive Advantage.
Ms Westacott acknowledge the good work the region had done in the regional Economic Development Strategy and saw some alignment with the BCA’s thinking. She urged business leaders to be more collaborative and less internally competitive to take on the global opportunities and provided some examples of where successful global companies collaborate with competitors to grow. She committed to going back to her organisation and to talk to its members about the regional investment opportunities on the Sunshine Coast and to keep spreading the word on what this region has to offer.
Ms Westacott has been Chief Executive of the organisation since 2011, bringing extensive policy experience from both the public and private sectors.
Sunshine Coast Airport Expansion Project takes off
The Sunshine Coast Airport Expansion Project has taken an important step forward with Council agreeing to submit the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to State and Federal agencies for review.
Mayor Mark Jamieson said the Queensland Coordinator-General and the Commonwealth Department of Environment would now undertake adequacy checks against the Terms of Reference for the Sunshine Coast Airport’s new east/west runway.
“The Coordinator General will then make a decision on going to the next step of public notification,” Mayor Jamieson said.
Sunshine Coast Business Council Chair Sandy Zubrinich said the expansion of the Sunshine Coast Airport was identified in the Sunshine Coast Economic Development Strategy as a game changing project.
“It is vitally important for the region’s future that Council fast-track the airport’s expansion so that local businesses can maximise economic export dollars to the Asian region, and beyond,” Ms Zubrinich said.
Economic Development Portfolio Councillor Steve Robinson said the new 2450m x 45m wide runway was the expansion project’s key feature.
Other elements include replacing the air traffic control tower and fire and rescue service facilities, building additional aircraft aprons, relocating navigational equipment, providing additional land for aviation businesses and undertaking associated civil works.
Cr Robinson said “Council has engaged the Royal Bank of Canada as its commercial advisor to develop the most appropriate strategy to fund the Sunshine Coast airport expansion.”
Cr Robinson said the EIS was planned to be released to the community for a 30-business day public notification period in late 2014 however, the final determination of dates for the public notification process was a decision to be made by the Coordinator-General.
Further information regarding the dates and times of community information sessions and public information opportunities will be released once the exhibition dates are confirmed.
TAFE East Coast Partners with SC Business Council
Sunshine Coast Business Council Chair Sandy Zubrinich welcomed TAFE East Coast new General Manager, Paul Wilson to the region and thanked him for reaffirming TAFE East Coast commitment to continue on as Patron Sponsor for the leading regional business advocacy group.
Ms Zubrinich acknowledged the strong support the business council had received from TAFE over several years and looks forward to another successful year. “With the business councils’ focus on skilling and employment in the region, we are excited to again partner with the Sunshine Coast’s largest training provider TAFE East Coast” Ms Zubrinich said.
‘‘I am delighted to have been appointed to the position of General Manager TAFE Queensland East Coast and look forward to leading the organisation through the next period of change as we enter the VET market on a level footing with other providers,’’ Mr Wilson said.
Eager to make a difference for the community’s students, Mr Wilson has a strong background in the education sector, with previous roles including the Chief Executive Officer at Tai Poutini Polytechnic in New Zealand and Community College Gippsland in Victoria.
TAFE have released a range of new courses and workshops that might be of interest to members or their employees.
Business – TAFE Queensland East Coast offers numerous business courses to help you better understand the workings of your business, help you to manage your business operations or learn a new skill so you can start your own business.
Rapid Skills – Our workshops are designed for business professionals, small business owners, entrepreneurs and anyone wanting to rapidly learn a new, specific skills set. The two hour workshops are designed to provide you will the skills you need to do your job, or run your business, in the shortest possible time.
Hospitality and Management – This is a great dual program to help people who are wanting to work in the hospitality industry at a management level or to start their own hospitality based business.
Each workshop takes two hours to complete, you can enrol into one that suits you or broaden your knowledge and attend all three. Upon completion you will come away with all the tools you need to apply your new skills. Learn today, apply tomorrow!
More information about TAFE East Coast is available at www.tafeeastcoast.edu.au.
Membership
The Sunshine Coast Business Council has recently renewed its membership categories and as a result we are pleased to announce Stockland and Lend Lease as the first business partner members.
We also welcome our new members and thank all members for their continued support and contribution.
Membership to join the Sunshine Coast Business Council is still 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.
Sandy Zubrinich
SCBC Chairperson