The Caloundra Chamber of Commerce is calling on businesses owners to take part in a project that could shape the region’s future, ahead of a predicted population explosion.
The chamber has joined forces with the University of the Sunshine Coast to provide levels of government with a snapshot of the workforce needs of business owners.
Chamber committee member and founder of aerospace technology business Helimods Will Shrapnel said the Regional Competitiveness Survey would give business owners a stronger voice to share what is impacting their growth.
“We want businesses in our region to get behind this and inform policy and decision makers what is helping their business grow, what is standing in their way, what do they need for our region to go forward in business and what do they see as the future for business in this region,” he said via a chamber press release.
According to the Queensland Government, the Sunshine Coast’s population is expected to grow to 518,002 by 2041.
Despite the massive population growth, the region’s workforce is struggling to keep up with demand, resulting in an unemployment rate of 2.3 per cent, the lowest on record.
The chamber said the number of locals who weren’t in the labour force continued to grow with figures increasing from 135,800 people in 2021 to 139,300 in November 2022, resulting in the region having the fourth lowest workforce participation rate in the state.
Moffat Beach Brewing Co operations manager Craig Williams said the brewery was feeling the effects of the staff shortage and would be identifying the issue in the survey.
“We rely on casual staff, bar tenders, chefs and kitchen hands, but they are so hard to find because there is a massive shortage and when we do find them, they can’t afford to live here on the wages that we can pay under the award,” he said.
Mr Williams said more affordable housing options, better public transport and better infrastructure would not only help attract workers but allow them to live and work in the region.
Caloundra Chamber CEO Brady Sullivan said attracting and retaining young professionals to the region was crucial in growing a strong economy on the Sunshine Coast.
“We know the average age on the Sunshine Coast is increasing, with the median expected to reach 44.9 years by 2041,” he said.
“While our region’s population is increasing it is important to grow our workforce so we can continue to both support our community’s needs and grow our economy.”
SRJ Walker Wayland principal Katrina Brennan said the accounting firm was enjoying a phase of growth but was challenged by a lack of choices for professional spaces available in the region.
“There were only spaces that were big enough for retail like 140sqm but nowhere we could expand or take up two places to cater for our growth now and in the future,” she said.
“We wanted to stay and work in Caloundra, but we had to move away a little bit to accommodate our growth.”
Mr Sullivan said the chamber invested in the research project to give business owners a stronger voice to easily communicate their needs to all levels of government.
“We know that business owners can be time poor but having their voice heard during planning and policy making is essential to move towards a sustainable and prosperous future for not just Caloundra but the Sunshine Coast,” he said.
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