Business Council urges Council to invest wisely
20 June, 2013
The Sunshine Coast Business Council today revealed its expectations of next week’s Sunshine Coast Council budget citing economic development, key infrastructure projects and fees related to local businesses as the high priority areas for the next financial year.
Business Council Chair Sandy Zubrinich said expectations were high, especially in regard to the recent release of the Economic Development Strategy and the implementation thereof in the coming months.
“We are delighted that the Council has placed the spotlight on economic development by developing an overarching strategy but the success thereof is largely dependent on the funding available for implementation,” Ms Zubrinich said.
“We hope this budget will take into account the need for specific action plans for the various target sectors identified, funding for project directors to oversee the game changer projects and funding to ensure the implementation actions identified in the strategy are delivered, measured and monitored.”
Ms Zubrinich also urged Council to prioritise infrastructure to support the various transformational or ‘game changer’ projects identified in the strategy, particularly the continuation of the Sunshine Coast Airport expansion project.
“We were encouraged to see the investment committed to this project in this year’s budget to complete the Environmental Impact Statement and hope to see further investment to maintain the momentum in the development of this much-needed infrastructure,” Ms Zubrinich said.
“When the budget is released we will also be looking for the cost savings produced from the organisational review report that the CEO and Mayor have spoken about recently as well as a reduction or at the very least the maintenance of Council fees and charges affecting local businesses such as application fees, tip fees and signage fees.”
“We would also expect to see the continuation of the existing financial incentives and infrastructure charges discounts targeting the high value economic sectors. The Sunshine Coast economy is in dire need of investment and support and we hope this budget will hold some good news for local business owners.”
The Sunshine Coast Council will release its budget for the 2013/14 Financial Year this Tuesday.
Ends.
Interviews: Ms Zubrinich is available for interviews on request and will also be attending the Council meeting on Tuesday 25 June and will be available for comment thereafter. To organise an interview, please contact Maya on 0410 109 102 or 5351 1010.
Photo: Sandy Zubrinich, Chair of the Sunshine Coast Business Council
Media contact: Maya Gurry – Fresh PR & Marketing
P: 0410 109 102 E: maya@freshprm.com.au
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