An estimated $20 billion investment pipeline is sharpening questions about whether the Sunshine Coast can turn another period of rapid growth into lasting economic and community benefits.
The Sunshine Coast Business Council will bring together economists, government and major developers next week to examine the region’s economic performance and the decisions facing it during the next 15 years.
The organisation’s The Economy, Catalytic Investment, What to Expect conference will be held at UniSC on Wednesday, October 7.
Business council chair Sandy Zubrinich said the region was entering another significant period after major projects pursued during the past decade helped reshape its economy.
“More than a decade ago, the Sunshine Coast made some very deliberate decisions about the type of economy it wanted to build and the infrastructure and investment needed to support that,” Ms Zubrinich said.
“Many of the projects identified as ‘game changers’ in the 2013 Regional Economic Development Strategy are now part of the fabric of our region and have helped to fundamentally changed our economy.
“But we are now at another important point in our growth story. With an estimated $20bn in public and private investment projected over the next 15 years, significant population growth and Brisbane 2032 on the horizon, the decisions we make now will have consequences well beyond the Games.”
New research commissioned by the business council and RDA Moreton Bay & Sunshine Coast will examine the region’s economic performance and the contribution of major projects identified as game changers.
Lucid Economics economist Michael Campbell will present the findings after Optimal Economics economist Stephen Walters provides an assessment of the Australian economy and factors likely to influence investment and growth.
Ms Zubrinich said bringing the national and regional analysis together would provide a clearer picture of the Coast’s position.
“It will allow us to move beyond anecdotal assessments of how the Sunshine Coast is performing and really understand what the data tells us about the impact of the investments made over the past decade.”
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Former Brisbane lord mayor Graham Quirk will deliver the keynote address, drawing on his experience in local government and Brisbane 2032 planning.
Mr Quirk was Brisbane lord mayor from 2011 to 2019 and later served on the Infrastructure Australia board. He also chaired the independent 2024 review of proposed venues for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
He will join Sunshine Coast mayor Rosanna Natoli, Walker Corporation’s Peter Saba and Stockland’s David Laner for a panel covering the opportunities, challenges and priorities associated with the region’s next phase of growth.
Mr Saba is involved in the delivery of the Maroochydore City Centre, while Mr Laner’s Stockland portfolio includes Aura.
Property Council of Australia Queensland executive director Jess Caire will facilitate the discussion.
Ms Zubrinich said the scale of investment did not by itself determine what the region would gain from it.
“The real question is how we harness that investment to create the jobs, infrastructure, productivity, housing, connectivity and liveability our growing region needs.”
Tickets for the conference are available through TryBooking.
