The leaders of a prominent local chamber of commerce say a plan to build more than 80,000 new homes and develop vital industrial land to support the region’s future growth has “hit the nail on the head”.
Deputy Premier Steven Miles recently released the draft South East Queensland Regional Plan, which provides councils with a development planning direction to help meet population growth.
The plan identifies a demand for almost 5000 hectares of additional industrial land across Southeast Queensland and a need for almost 900,000 new dwellings for a 2046 population prediction of six million.
According to the plan, the Sunshine Coast region will need an additional 80,600 homes by 2046 and highlighted Maroochydore, Caloundra, Nambour, Kawana, Beerwah and Sippy Downs as significant activity centers.
The plan outlines that Southeast Queensland is approaching a tipping point in industrial land supply, with key areas of the region approaching a critical shortfall of industrial land within the life of the plan.
Industrial land demand within Southeast Queensland is anticipated to increase about 60 per cent based on 2016 figures.
Caloundra Chamber of Commerce president Michael Shadforth said the plan’s acknowledgment of the “acute shortage of industrial land” showed a perceptive understanding of the regional challenges and their potential impact on economic development and job creation.
“As we teeter on the brink of a crucial tipping point, this comprehensive plan could serve as a lifeline, attracting and retaining businesses in the region, fostering growth and bolstering the local economy,” he said.
“The impending risk of businesses being compelled to seek growth opportunities elsewhere due to land constraints adds urgency and criticality to this issue.”
Mr Shadforth said by ensuring adequate land is set aside for industrial usage, the plan seems well poised to foster growth in the e-commerce sector, create jobs and contribute to economic resilience.
“The decision to prioritise industrial land availability in the plan demonstrates a proactive response to accommodate the consequent increased demand for warehousing and distribution centers,” he said.
Caloundra Chamber CEO Brady Sullivan said the plan’s key pillars of ‘grow, prosper, sustain, connect and live’ “hit the nail on the head”.
“The draft plan outlines several identified and potential future growth opportunities to be further analysed for their ability to sustainably support our growing region into the future,” he said.
“We can’t continue to do what we have done in the past and think we will be able to support our region into the future, all options need to be on the table to consider how we maintain our liveability and support our future community and economy.”
Mr Sullivan said he was glad the draft plan continued to support the cultural and environmental values of the region, with the northern boundary of the Moreton Bay-Sunshine Coast Northern Inter-Urban Break having been expanded.
“As a recognised biosphere it is important for the Sunshine Coast to sustainably plan for our future communities and businesses,” he said.
“With that in mind, it’s wonderful to see formalisation of the inter-urban-break northern boundary that will continue to ensure we are sustainable, while also being well-planned to accommodate our future growth.”
Read the draft South East Queensland Regional Plan here.
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