With economic commentary still focused firmly on global financial issues, Queensland's Sunshine Coast has launched a new economic development initiative for the region.
Sunshine Coast Council, in partnership with the Queensland State Government and 11 of the region's leading industry and educational representatives, have announced a new economic development initiative designed to encourage innovative, export-focused businesses to the Sunshine Coast to achieve the vision to become one of Australia's most sustainable regions.
The ‘Natural Advantage' initiative promotes the region's enormous potential for business and details some compelling statistics for companies looking to base their operations on the Sunshine Coast.
The region boasts a Gross Regional Profit of more than double that of Queensland's Gross Regional Product rate (12.7% per annum over the past five years) and has a record $18billion worth of public and private sector investment planned for 2009/10 -- the higher per capita when compared to Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.
Sunshine Coast is serviced by four public and five private hospitals (with another $1.6billion Sunshine Coast University Hospital planned for 2016), includes easy access and connectivity to major airports and transport services, has one of Australia's highest employment and population growth rates, features two universities and five TAFE campuses spread over 3,127sqkm and offers significant lifestyle advantages over metropolitan cities.
Coupled with an average of 300 days of sunshine each year, the Sunshine Coast's numbers certainly stack up for business, according to the Sunshine Coast Council's Economic Development branch.
The Economic Development branch's figures show the region is now home to more than 31,758 businesses across a broad number of industries across the identified sectors.
Major Australian and international companies such as Parsons Brinckerhoff and Singapore Flying College have chosen to open regional offices in the area and Australia's newest insurance provider, Youi has made the Sunshine Coast its company headquarters after considering a host of locations across Australia.
The Sippy Downs Business and Technology Precinct, including the future development in the Palmview area, will grow to become one of the largest employment hubs on the Sunshine Coast through anticipated investment of more than $9.8billion.
About 10 minutes from Maroochydore, this is one of the Sunshine Coast region's signature economic development projects. In the Sippy Downs Precinct area alone 80,000sqm of commercial floor space will be created and is expected to generate about 2,000 jobs in education, commercial and technology-based businesses.
By acting as banker for this vital infrastructure, Sunshine Coast Council hopes to drive the creation of Australia's first genuine University town centre, based on knowledge-based industries and employment growth.
In keeping with the region's reputation for sustainable development, the Natural Advantage initiative is targeting businesses that complement, rather than compete, with existing industries and who share the region's vision to be vibrant, green and diverse.
Sunshine Coast is targeting industry sectors include aviation, creative industries, digital industries, educational services, environmental technology, food and beverage industries, health and well being, light industry, professional services, sport, leisure and tourism and events.
As part of the new business push, the Sunshine Coast Council is providing a suite of economic development support services to businesses interested in investing in the region.
Sunshine Coast Mayor, Bob Abbot said, "We are stepping up our efforts to take the message to the rest of the nation and the world – that the Sunshine Coast is fast becoming the business location of choice."
To contact Sunshine Coast Council's Economic Development unit phone 07 5441 8308 or email
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.
|
