QUEENSLAND’s Sunshine Coast is now a jobs destination as well as a tourism destination, such is the transformation in the regional economy over the past few years.

Sunshine Coast Public University Hospital will become the hub in an integrated network of accessible healthcare for the region by 2016. Image: Lend Lease.

Last year the Sunshine Coast created 20 percent of all new jobs in Queensland – and it makes up just seven percent of the state’s population.

Of the 54,000 jobs created across the state, about 10,000 were created on the Sunshine Coast, according to property researcher Michael Matusik.

Mr Matusik said the employment growth actually came largely through construction and health/medical related areas, with a lesser impact from the retail and tourism sectors.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson said growth in the professional services, education and aged care sectors was also evident.

“A number of new aged care facilities have recently opened, while the new Stellar Group headquarters in Maroochydore employed nearly 300 professional positions alone,” Cr Jamieson said.

“Given the Sunshine Coast makes up approximately seven percent of the state’s population, it is a fantastic result that we are creating 20 percent of the state’s jobs growth.

“In the Economic Development Strategy (EDS) we aim to create 100,000 jobs here on the coast in the next 20 years – and this shows we are well on the way.”

The Mayor said while much of the new employment was coming from one of the region’s more traditional sectors of construction, much of the activity was at the Sunshine Coast Public University Hospital site, which will be the future hub for a vibrant health and medical sector as spelled out in the EDS.

“Council has also contributed operational funding to the Workshop, an employment and skilling centre at the new hospital created in partnership with Lend Lease and the Federal Government, given the site will employ around 2500 workers during its construction phase alone,” Cr Jamieson said.

“As time goes on, that sector will be joined by growing sectors in aviation, education, the knowledge industry, agri-business, tourism and major events, and the clean technology industry.

“We are seeing good early results from a new wave of confidence, which in time will stimulate other investment growth – which means more jobs for people in this region and greater community prosperity.”

Council figures also show construction approvals and associated building values increased by 52 percent and 60 percent respectively throughout 2013, a further indication the region is heading in the right direction.

The figures show new building values were estimated at $177 million in the January-March 2013 quarter, increasing to more than $283 million by the October-December 2013 quarter – and these figures do not include the Sunshine Coast University Hospital project.

The number of construction approvals increased from 1035 to 1575 over the same period.

Cr Jamieson said these latest figures came on the back of Master Builders’ statistics which showed the Sunshine Coast November 2013 housing approvals grew 150 percent year-on-year, the highest in the state.

“You only have to look around and see things are starting to move and while it is still early days, we are on the right track,” Cr Jamieson said.

“Council is committed to encouraging new business, providing jobs for our residents and maintaining the great lifestyle we all love and enjoy.

“Our aim is to be the most sustainable region in Australia and we can combine growth with a sustainable economy, environment and community.”

Late last year the Queensland Government also passed back control and responsibility for Sunshine Coast Airport and its surrounding development to the council.

http://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/

http://matusikmissive.com.au/2014/01/15/outlook-sunshine-coast/

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ONE of the most innovative pieces of public consultation in Australia is moving to the next stage today and tomorrow (October 9 and 10) with the gathering of more than 800 business, community and government leaders in Brisbane.

More than 800 business, community and government leaders gather at BCEC to work out The Queensland Plan.

It is the second major public gathering to ferment what the State Government is calling The Queensland Plan, which aims to foster a genuine public-led direction for Queensland over the next 30 years. The previous gathering was in Mackay in May which fostered the questions that were to be asked as a basis for the plan.

These questions were answered by more than 78,000 people and organisations and form a unique database of public priorities and intellect that is unlikely to be ignored by future Queensland state and local governments.

Out of the research, five key themes have emerged clearly and these will form the basis for discussions at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre today and tomorrow.

Creating a stronger sense of community cohesion and strengthening Queensland’s economy are the top two priorities across Queensland according to the analysis of contributions that have informed the development of The Queensland Plan.

Queensland people also prioritised community health and well-being, balancing the economy with the environment and strengthening Queensland's regions as the top focus areas into the future. 

State Minister responsible for The Queensland Plan, Andrew Powell said a detailed report summarising the contributions was now available.

“Since May, more than 78,000 Queenslanders added their voice, either through an individual response on the website, or through participation in a group activity that informed a submission,” Mr Powell said.

“This is an overwhelming and unprecedented response, particularly as it was voluntary to take part.

“With over 83,000 unique web visits, over 200 local community events across Queensland, a dedicated schools engagement program, and a good following on social media, this was a comprehensive grassroots engagement program.

“One of the world’s leading engagement experts, Steven Ames, agrees. He’s been very vocal about the exceptional number of responses.”

An estimated 800 people at the summit aim to fuse together the diverse opinions of the community.

“A broad cross section of Queenslanders will work together to build consensus, consider how we achieve balance and then work together to deliver real and tangible outcomes that will help shape The Queensland Plan,” Mr Powell said.

“Those not attending the summit can still watch history unfold as The Queensland Plan takes shape.

“You can watch summit sessions live, submit comments and be part of the online conversation, or visit the website throughout the day to catch-up on previous sessions.”

The Queensland Plan will be delivered by the end of the year and is likely to form the cornerstone of policy for the current Campbell Newman-led LNP State Government and others of all political persuasions for the next 30 years.

Visit www.queenslandplan.qld.gov.au/journey/brisbane-summit/index.html for more information about the Brisbane Summit.

The statewide report, executive summary and regional reports are available at www.qld.gov.au/queenslandplan

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THE GOLD COAST Central Chamber of Commerce is calling on the Gold Coast City Council to immediately recover sand to its storm-decimated beaches, to save the tourism industry and the city's economy.

Getting the gold back into the Gold Coast requires golden sands, says chamber. Image: Tourism Queensland.

President of the GC Central Chamber of Commerce Inc, Jason Deacon said Gold Coast business was of the opinion that the decision by the Gold Coast City Council to not repair coastline erosion before April "is a huge mistake for tourism and the broader economy".

Mr Deacon said if the beaches were not repaired at the earliest opportunity, the Gold Coast risked losing large numbers of bookings for the vital tourism season of Easter.

In a communication to members and associates of the chamber, he said, "Council has outlined plans to dredge 60,000 cubic metres of sand from the Broadwater to be used to repair the erosion, however, this is not expected to happen until mid-April.

"Leaving the beaches for more than another month has the potential to cause both short and long term damage to the city's reputation. We need to face up to reality: for many people, our beaches are a central draw card.

"While I am absolutely behind our collective push to diversify our image, I do believe we need to remember that our beaches are an incredible asset that draw a great deal of attention to the city.

"The likelihood is that we will lose bookings for Easter if the beaches remain virtually unusable, and for those that do come, the experience may be enough for them to not want to come again or to tell others not to bother visiting.

"We also have a huge market for day-trippers who come here to specifically to swim and surf, and then will grab lunch, go shopping, or enjoy one of the many entertainment venues here.

"If we experience a drop in both of these kinds of visitors, I'll be very concerned for the city's economy."

Mr Deacon said there was a wider worry that the Gold Coast was projecting an image of not being concerned about the quality of its shoreline.

"We might do some seriously lasting damage to our brand," he said.

According to the GC Central Chamber of Commerce, tourism is worth about $4.5 billion of the Gold Coast's annual gross regional product of $19.6 billion.

"I am not just saying this to support operators in the area of tourism - I am saying this to support all Gold Coast businesses," Mr Deacon said.

"The flow-on effects of reduced income from tourism would be felt across the city in all industry sectors.

"Given that many businesses here are doing it tough as it is, I seriously hope the council reconsiders their decision to wait such a length of time before acting on this major issue."

http://www.goldcoastcentralchamber.com.au/

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SYDNEY’s light rail project carries with it a range of initiatives which will help move away from motor vehicle-dominated cityscapes to a more peaceful and pedestrian-friendly approach.

An artist's impression of Sydney's light rail extensions.

The City of Sydney and Transport for NSW, the State Government’s transport department, have signed an agreement setting out the standards under which the new Sydney light rail project will be built through the NSW Local Government Area (LGA) division.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the agreement was a major milestone for the project and would ensure Sydney has an efficient light rail system with world-class design. 

“This agreement sets out the binding conditions for the project that will transform the city centre and Surry Hills,” Ms Moore said. “The city had been working with design experts and with Transport for NSW to ensure our vision and design standards were delivered along the full route from Circular Quay to Moore Park.

“The light rail project will return 40 percent of George St to pedestrians and make it a beautifully designed space for people, free of the noise of the hundreds of buses that now choke it every day.

“The NSW Government has made clear that Devonshire Street is its preferred route so we have worked to ensure the project will give residents and businesses the best possible outcome,” the Lord Mayor said.

Sydney City is contributing $220 million towards the light rail project. In 2012 the NSW Government began the extension of the Inner West Light Rail line and announced the $1.6 billion CBD and South East Light Rail project.

These light rail lines form the new Sydney Light Rail network services running north from Central to Circular Quay along George St, west to Pyrmont and Dulwich Hill, and south east through Surry Hills to Moore Park, Randwick and Kingsford.

The Lord Mayor said over the past 10 years Sydney has actively encouraged quality development and pursued design excellence in urban design. Since 2004 city projects have won more than 40 national and international design awards.

Ms Moore said the agreement confirmed that the Surry Hills route would be built in accordance with the same leading design standards used for all the city’s village main streets, including high-quality paving, furniture and trees. It also guarantees footpath upgrades, new plazas and pocket parks.

The development agreement requires a functioning light rail service extending from Circular Quay to the University of NSW and to Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick. It specifies high design standards for paving, lighting, trees, smartpoles, street furniture and light rail stops.

The light rail brings with it an upgrading of both footpaths along the length of Devonshire St in Surry Hills, with high-quality concrete tile pavers and there are new plazas and pocket parks, with street closures required adjoining Devonshire St.

There is also a new park for Surry Hills to be dedicated to the City as community lands on the current Olivia Gardens site.

Part of the redevelopment minimises above-ground infrastructure in Moore Park to maximise accessible open space and there is a pedestrian and cycleway connection incorporated into a new bridge crossing Eastern Distributor to Moore Park.

Integrated into the light rail redevelopment is the pedestrian precinct for part of George St, from Bathurst St to Hunter St; and there is wire-free light rail for the new pedestrian area of George St between the Town Hall and Wynyard stops.

Lord Mayor Moore said opportunities were being explored to mitigate the loss of on-street parking without affecting open space so that pedestrian and property access was maintained and all reasonably practicable steps were made to minimise construction impact.

She said there was also potential for the future expansion of the light rail network to Walsh Bay/Barangaroo and Green Square.

www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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