The Sunshine Coast Business Council hosted its annual Combined Government and Business Forum at the Maroochy RSL on Friday, bringing together 70 guests representing government and the business community, to explore strategies to ensure the future economic growth and prosperity of the region.
Chief Economist at the Business Council of Australia Stephen Walters shared insights into the national and global economy, what could be expected from the second Trump presidency and the impact this could have on Australia’s economy, and the anticipated positive outlook for 2025 after a more challenging 2024.
Guests also heard from Michael Campbell, Director at Lucid Economics who shared that the Queensland economy, despite slowing after the post-Covid boom, is expected to grow over the next few years.
SCBC Chair Sandy Zubrinich noted that positive economic growth will see the region require more workers, which in turn requires more housing and puts greater pressure on transport infrastructure.
“The need for the public and private sector to work together to address the housing shortage is critical and remains at the forefront of the Sunshine Coast Business Council’s priorities for 2025,” Ms Zubrinich said.
Deputy Premier and Member for Kawana Jarrod Bleijie also addressed the invited guests stating the new Queensland government is eager to work closely with local councils to drive positive change.
Deputy Premier Bleijie reiterated his government’s commitment to deliver a million new homes by 2044 taking steps including the establishment of a $2 billion dedicated infrastructure fund for new housing developments, abolishing stamp duty on new builds for first home buyers and unlocking church and charity-owned land for the Community Housing Sector.
The Deputy Premier also confirmed his commitment to secure funding for the Brisbane to Maroochydore Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line and the pausing of the controversial Best Practice Industry Conditions (BPICs) to drive down construction costs.
“The SCBC has long been advocating for heavy rail from Brisbane to Maroochydore ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games so this was welcome news for those in the room,” Ms Zubrinich said.
Urbis Director Paul Riga updated the Forum on the current regional pipeline of major projects highlighting the skewing of investment to government-funded projects and the slowdown in private sector investment. He also explored what could be done to stimulate private sector investment critical to build the housing, tourism and other community infrastructure so urgently needed for this fast-growing region.
The presentations provided the backdrop for a challenging panel discussion considering how to boost economic activity given the lacklustre performance of 2024. The panel included Transport and Main Roads Minister and Member for Buderim Brent Mickelberg, Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli, Business Council of Australia chief economist Stephen Walters and Stockland’s Adrian Allen.
“The panel generated robust and insightful discussion about the Coast’s preparedness to respond to the economic malaise currently effecting the national and local economies and the significant population growth in the coming decades. Topics discussed included labour and material shortages, the burden of taxes and red tape on business, infrastructure that supports housing supply, efficient planning processes and investment in innovation and emerging industries and the need for all tiers of government to work closely with the business community to drive these outcomes collaboratively,” Ms Zubrinich added.
Ms Zubrinich thanked everyone who participated or attended this forum as the debate at this annual forum informs the SCBC annual strategy directions workshop to be held in late January, which then forms the Business Council’s advocacy agenda for 2025.
She also thanked State Ministers Jarrod Bleijie, Brent Mickelberg and Fiona Simpson for prioritising this regional discussion at such a busy time for them, state members Kendall Morton and Marty Hunt and Mayor Rosanna Natoli and the Sunshine Coast councillors who attended.
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Media contact: Maya Gurry, Fresh PR & Marketing
T: 0410 109 102 E: maya@freshprm.com.au
About the Sunshine Coast Business Council
The Sunshine Coast Business Council is the leading regional business advocacy group on the Sunshine Coast representing approximately 4,000 businesses through its membership, which includes key national and regional industry groups and their members as well as national and regional businesses. Its membership base represents a range of sectors including tourism, property, construction, retail, education and training, agribusiness, manufacturing, ICT and professional services. To find out more, please visit www.scbusinesscouncil.com.au.
