The Sunshine Coast Business Council (SCBC), the region’s leading business advocacy group, has confirmed that long-serving Chair, Sandy Zubrinich, will continue in the role following its Annual General Meeting, with the Board returning largely unchanged for the year ahead.
The only change to the Board is the retirement of Kevin Covey, Director of Covey Associates, who stepped down after serving since 2022. Ms Zubrinich thanked Mr Covey for his commitment and contribution over the past three years.
“Kevin has been a highly engaged and thoughtful voice on the Board, and we extend our sincere thanks for his contribution to our work and advocacy,” Ms Zubrinich said.
“We wish him well as he continues to support the region through his various professional endeavours and we hope he may return to the Board to share his valuable insights in years to come.”
The Business Council also welcomed respected Sunshine Coast business leader Brady Sullivan, who formally joins as a Board member.
Ms Zubrinich said she was pleased to have Mr Sullivan bring his significant regional, strategic and stakeholder engagement experience to the SCBC.
“Brady has long demonstrated his commitment to strengthening the Sunshine Coast’s economic and social fabric,” Ms Zubrinich said.
“Brady is well known and connected across the Sunshine Coast business community and with political leaders across all tiers of government. As the former CEO of the Caloundra Chamber of Commerce, he led one of Queensland’s most active chambers, championing initiatives to strengthen local business, workforce development and community engagement.
“His leadership across business, government, health and community sectors gives him a rare and valuable perspective, and we know he will bring constructive, future-focused thinking to our work.”
Mr Sullivan is currently Director of Confluence Partners and serves as a Non-Executive Director of the Caloundra Community Bank and contributes to advisory committees across the region’s health and education sectors.
Ms Zubrinich – now in her 14th year as Chair after first being appointed in 2012 – said the past year marked another period of strong and proactive advocacy for the SCBC.
“Over the past 12 months, our Board and membership have worked together to advance meaningful conversations around housing supply, population pressures, workforce availability, critical infrastructure and the long-term economic direction of the region,” Ms Zubrinich said.
“The Business Council continues to play a vital role in elevating industry-led perspectives with all levels of government and facilitating discussion around the major economic challenges and opportunities shaping the years ahead.
“During 2025, we joined other industry groups to espouse our collective views to local councils and councillors on the impacts population growth is having on infrastructure and lifestyle and to explore options to address these growth challenges for the future. Much of the discussion was framed around instruments such as planning schemes and economic development strategies and how to improve consistency, transparency and investor confidence in these important instruments.”
Throughout the year, the SCBC convened significant economic forums and industry roundtables, delivered new research and insights to strengthen evidence-based advocacy, and continued to encourage long-term economic planning as the region moves towards the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“As we look ahead to another seven years of major infrastructure, investment and growth milestones, it’s more important than ever that industry, community and government work collaboratively,” Ms Zubrinich said.
“Our Board remains committed to ensuring the Sunshine Coast’s economic future is strong, sustainable and well-planned.”
The SCBC Board comprises:
- Sandy Zubrinich – Chair
- Josh Sondergeld (Stockland) – Treasurer
- Kylie Ezzy (Sunshine Coast Airport)
- Jason Garland (Secure Access)
- Alex Hoffmann (Jackson Clements Burrows Architects)
- Peter Saba (Walker Corporation)
- Brad Williams (RPS)
- Tony Scanlon (Scanlon Group)
- Brady Sullivan (Confluence Partners).
- Board advisors – Ross Young (UniSC) and Mark Reilly (TAFE Queensland).
Sunshine Coast Business Council remains the peak business advocacy body on the Sunshine Coast, with membership spanning key national and regional industry groups and major private-sector employers across tourism, property, construction, retail, finance, telecommunications and professional services. Through this network the Sunshine Coast Business Council touches approximately 10,000 businesses. To find out more, visit www.scbusinesscouncil.com.au.
