Business Council welcomes new board

December 6, 2013

With a new board at the helm following last night’s Annual General Meeting at the Palmer Coolum Resort, the Sunshine Coast Business Council (SCBC) has vowed it will continue to deliver a united voice for local businesses in 2014 after an exceedingly busy year in 2013.

SCBC Chair Sandy Zubrinich said the Business Council board had welcomed four new members, with local businessmen the Treasurer of Suncorp Bank Tim Hughes, Simon Ambrose of Sunshine Coast Destination Limited, Hayden Rudd of NCP Bathroom Centres and Tony Vickers of Midson Construction joining the high profile board.

“Our new board members bring a wide range of business and industry knowledge to the table and it’s great to see so many of the Coast’s key industries represented on the board,” Ms Zubrinich said.

“This allows us to better understand the needs of all local businesses and a region that is competing globally for tourists, markets and capital and provide a balanced and unified voice when contributing to regional strategic discussions and lobbying government.”

Ms Zubrinich said 2014 would mark a decade since SCBC’s establishment and she looked forward to championing issues regarding the economy and particularly sourcing investment needed to implement the Economic Development Strategy and employment performance in the months and years to come.

“In 2014, SCBC will be focusing largely on working with government to address the systematic challenges that are impacting our regional prosperity,” Ms Zubrinich said.

“This means taking steps to lessen the youth unemployment rate and working closely with council and business to ensure the region’s economic development strategy is rolled out in a timely and practical manner.”

Ms Zubrinich said SCBC would also be closely monitoring the development of various infrastructure projects including the Kawana health precinct, Maroochydore Principal Activity Centre, Sunshine Coast Airport expansion and Bruce Highway upgrade all which impact most areas of the economy, and use evidence-based research to deliver informed commentary and advocacy regarding regional issues.

“If 2013 is anything to go by, we’ve got a busy year ahead,” Ms Zubrinich said.

“In the last 12 months alone, SCBC has conducted a number of forums regarding the Kawana health precinct, the Sunshine Coast’s links with Asia and youth unemployment; worked closely with industry partners on Sunshine Coast Council’s Draft Planning Scheme and Regional Economic Development Strategy (REDS); commissioned two valuable research projects; lobbied various levels of government; and contributed to the sustainable economic development of various local infrastructure projects.”

Ms Zubrinich extended thanks to the four retiring SCBC board members who had all played an integral role in achieving the Business Council’s objectives in recent years.

“Gwyn Jarrott and Professor Mike Hefferan have contributed significantly to the success of SCBC over several years as well as Sandra Reardon and Barrie Adams who played important roles in the past 12 months. We are very appreciative of the part they have each played in championing regional issues on behalf of the local business community,” Ms Zubrinich said.

For more information, please visit www.scbusinesscouncil.com.au or call (07) 5444 3909.

//Ends.

Interviews: Ms Zubrinich is available for interviews on request.
Media contact: Maya Gurry – Fresh PR & Marketing, P: 0410 109 102, E: maya@freshprm.com.au
Socials attached: Captioned as named (larger files available on request)

New Sunshine Coast Business Council board:
Chair
Sandy Zubrinich, Zubek Pty ltd
Deputy Chair
Michael Hopkins, Master Builders Association
Treasurer
David Oliver, UDIA
Secretary
Tony Sowden, Tony Sowden Legal
Board members
Peter Bolton Hall, Property Council of Australia
(NEW) Tim Hughes, Suncorp Bank, representing banking sector
(NEW) Simon Ambrose, Sunshine Coast Destination Limited, representing tourism sector
(NEW) Hayden Rudd, NCP Bathroom and NCP Plumbing Centres, representing small – medium business and retail sector
(NEW) Tony Vickers, Midson Construction, representing small to medium business and construction industry

Retired during year
Michael Hefferan, University of the Sunshine Coast
Sandra Reardon, formerly Sunshine Coast Haematology and Oncology Clinic

Retiring at AGM
Gwyn Jarrott, Property Works International
Barrie Adams, Sunshine Coast Destination Limited

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