Monday, 11 July, 2016
The Sunshine Coast is on the crest of a development wave and the vision is starting to come to fruition.
Speaking at the Maroochydore Chamber of Commerce lunch on Tuesday, Urbis director Malcolm Aikman said the region was a good place to be in. SunCentral CEO John Knaggs and Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson also spoke at the lunch at Maroochy Surf Club that attracted a crowd of more than 200. Population, employment and investment are the key drivers, Mr Aikman said.
In the early 2000’s the region experienced solid growth but the big growth period was pre-GFC. Potentially, we are now on the next wave which will see more growth. SunCentral, the new CBD for Maroochydore, and the Sunshine Coast Airport expansion are two projects that are deep into planning and development. “Employment in recent years has been a success story,” Mr Aikman said. “The perception has been that the Sunshine Coast had a population-driven employment economy. But we are getting to a threshold where that is less important.” The Sunshine Coast Public University Hospital will act as a catalyst for other sectors. Employment has seen a 3.5% increase in the past four years. That is the number of people who have a job and live on the Coast and that figure has grown by 5475 per year.
In comparison Brisbane sits at 1.8%. We are seeing the benefit of investment such as the hospital with a reduction in the unemployment rate of 7200 people – that is effectively halving it. The growth rate has a really strong multiplier effect of flowing through to the economy. And while it is behind Ipswich and Moreton regions the forecast is that it will lift. Health-related employment will be a kicker but the region has got some good projects on the horizon. We just need to see how they eventuate.
Mr Aikman said there has been growth in the white collar workforce as a flow-on from construction and health. But the economy is much broader than that. As well as construction, health and education there is tourism. Yet there has not seen significant growth in that sector in recent years compared to other regions. Mr Aikman said 2008 was the peak but has not grown a lot since, even though there have been significant benefits in Australia such as exchange rates, overseas flights and Chinese tourists. “First, have the airport ready to go. There is a need to increase international flights. “But there is a need for more accommodation and you need quality. People will come but won’t return if it is not a good visit. “The third element you need is lobbying for the Bruce Highway upgrade. Not just for workers but for day trippers as part of the package the Sunshine Coast can deliver.”
An area of opportunities is the business sector and a need for conference facilities and accommodation. The bigger prospect is for businesses looking for an Australian location with access to an airport and a good community for their people to live, he said. “When you look at combined investment on the Sunshine Coast it’s impressive and the story needs to be told nationally and internationally.” “You need to get out there and aggressively promote the area. “It’s about networking, hunting as a pack …. sing as one group. “It is a world market. Don’t feel constrained any more …. opportunities are out there.”
Vision becoming a reality as confidence builds By Erle Levey
Sunshine Coast Daily Saturday June 18, 2016
Posted in Press Clippings
