Headed in the right direction

Mayor Mark Jamieson said the region is headed in the right direction as it strives to create Australia’s most sustainable economy, environment and community.

The Mayor’s comments come exactly 12 months after the swearing-in of the new council.

“We were elected to take the region in a new direction by creating the right conditions for jobs while protecting our great lifestyle – that’s what we’re doing,” he said.

“We’ve got off to a solid start, we now need to build on that so the region reaps long term benefits.

“Investors have given a vote of confidence in the region with hundreds of millions of dollars committed to major projects in the comings months and years.

“Council has worked hard to add value to the projects already underway, especially its attempts to provide locals a pathway for work on the health hub.

“Existing businesses have been supported and new businesses have been attracted to the Sunshine Coast – increasing the range of careers in the region.

“Significant steps have been taken towards the realisation of our “game changing” projects; the EIS is underway on the proposed airport expansion, early design work has begun on the new Maroochydore CBD and negotiations continue on Caloundra South.

“The new planning scheme is nearing completion which will encourage investment and protect our environment.

“The new scheme will provide certainty for investors, and coupled with council’s suite of new development incentives, should see a more vibrant and confident construction industry.

“In the last year we have also become the Queensland home to the toughest endurance event on the planet – Tough Mudder, and have also secured a half marathon.

“Those will be major benefits to tourism, which has already been bolstered by the addition of two new airlines to the region; Air New Zealand and Tiger Airways.

“There have been major challenges along the way, none more so than the de-amalgamation debate.

“The splitting of one council into two, and the implementation of a major re-organisational review will see a new council emerge from the start of next year.

“In the meantime, I’m determined to ensure council remains focussed on providing quality services to residents.

Sunshine Coast Major Projects – Future Looking Bright

1. SCUH

• $1.8 billion project
• Will open in 2016 with 450 beds and 3500 staff
• Expanding to 738 beds and 6000 staff by 2021.

2. Health Hub

• Designed to support SCUH with ancillary health and medical services such as pathology, GP Super Clinic, radiology, cancer centre, etc
• Will also involve retail support eg florist, hairdressing, pharmacy, etc for patients and visitors
• Will inject around $3.5 billion into the Sunshine Coast economy – with the development creating 23,000 jobs.

3. Sunshine Plaza Expansion

• $350 million expansion will increase floor space of Plaza by nearly 50%
• Will include a David Jones department store, expansion of Myer and 150 specialty stores.
• Will complement development of Maroochydore CBD
• Approved by council March 2013
• 1350 new retail jobs

4. Airport Expansion

• Proposed new ($240m) runway to handle wide-bodied jets by 2020
• Aerospace Precinct to tenant airlines headquartering at SCA
• Also to tenant aerospace maintenance, repair, training
• New terminal to service new runway (c.$180m)
• First detailed as part of the airport's long term master plan in 2007.

5. Maroochydore CBD

• Taking over 53-hectare Horton Park Golf Course site as of 2014
• Proposed new city centre for the Sunshine Coast
• 150,000m2 commercial space and 65,000m2 retail space
• 10,100 jobs
• 8000 residents
• Council adopted Maroochydore PAC Structure Plan Planning Scheme Policy in December 2010.

6. Caloundra South

• Proposed satellite city in its own right
• Residential, business, industrial, open space components
• Anticipated to house 50,000 people by 2050

7. Big Top

• Proposed innovative concept as a permanent ‘farmers’ market
• All-weather precinct showcasing locally grown food products and ‘Seasons of the Sun’ council-backed local food and beverage movement
• Scheduled to open Easter 2014

8. Coles at Nambour

• Transformation of part of the former Nambour Mill Site
• Will potentially anchor a residential/business ‘Transit-Oriented Development’ status for Nambour with dormitory suburb rail connection to Brisbane
• Approved by council in April 2011
• Up to 1000 new jobs
• Expected completion 2013.

Sunshine Coast – First year of new Council – May 14

1. Development incentives

a) Budget

• Scrapped pre-lodgement fees for discussions on possible development applications
• Reduced application fees by 5% for all Commercial, Business and Industrial land uses
• Reduced application fees for 7 selected land use types by 25% by means of a fee rebate when the use commences within 2 years
• Boosted funding for economic development initiatives

b) Build and Benefit

Council’s Build and Benefit initiative delivers a natural advantage to doing business in the Sunshine Coast and includes:

(i) Targeted incentives to encourage growth and investment in high value development sectors and promote long-term jobs.

Categories include; industry and high impact industry, commercial office, indoor sport and recreation facility, education facility, essential services, accommodation (short term), specialised use (tourist attraction).

• 50% reduction in Council infrastructure charges for developments which commence on or after 1 July 2013 and where construction is completed by 30 June 2014
• 37.5% reduction in Council infrastructure charges for developments which commence on or after 1 July 2013 and where construction is completed by 31 December 2014
• 25% reduction in Council infrastructure charges for developments which commence on or after 1 July 2013 and where construction is completed by 30 June 2015

(ii) 'Build and Benefit' incentives; Council will reduce infrastructure charges for three types of development approvals provided developments are completed before 30 June 2015.

2. Attraction of new events/businesses

a) Stellar Asia Pacific

• Contact centre with large Federal Government contracts
• Has 4000 employees globally
• Specifically approached Sunshine Coast to set up a major centre
• 280 new jobs for the Sunshine Coast – originally expected to be 190
• Stellar appointed numerous contractors during the fit-out and ongoing support and maintenance contracts, bringing further development and opportunities for business to the region.

b) Bizfurn

• Locally based company whose success demanded expansion of its premises
• Successfully retained this company’s location on the Coast despite attractive offers from other regions
• 80 jobs kept on the Coast

c) Zehnder Gluten free

• As with Bizfurn, a company whose local success almost saw it leave the region
• A determined effort by council to accommodate the company’s needs saw it not only remain on the Coast but plan significant expansion over the next five years
• Move to the Big Pineapple means a $5.3 million re-investment into the Sunshine Coast
• 68 new full time jobs.

d) Tough Mudder

• A global endurance event phenomenon directly sought by council
• Potential for up to 40,000 participants in 2013, not including family and friends
• In 2013, the event will attract New Zealand market through direct Air New Zealand flight connections
• Event secured for three years
• Local company Shadforths constructing course

e) 70.3 Half Marathon

• An event with natural attraction to ‘Triathlon Central’ Sunshine Coast
• Attracts similar market to Noosa, Mooloolaba Triathlon events
• The event will be worth in excess of $3 million each year to the Coast, through more than 20,000 visitor nights.