$847 million budget delivers a stronger, better, sustainable Sunshine Coast
Services and sustainability are at the heart of Sunshine Coast Council’s $847 million 2022-23 budget.
In terms of business support, the budget means our Economic Development branch will continue to promote and develop the High Value Industries and their associated Industry Groups and Chamber and provide support through established programs.
Continue to deliver the Buy Local Sunshine Coast campaign
Delivery of the Study Sunshine Coast initiative to leverage the significant benefits that education tourism, talent attraction and international education bring to the region
Develop a talent attraction and retention campaign for the Sunshine Coast to address current workforce shortages in the region
Promote and support circular economy initiatives including the ASPIRE online business-to-business tool
Continue to engage with the international markets in the lead up to Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic games
Continue to support the region through destination marketing and supporting Visit Sunshine Coast
Leverage of the International Broadband Submarine Cable to attract new businesses and jobs to the Sunshine Coast
Attract Major Events and Tourist to the region to enjoy what the Sunshine Coast has to offer.
It’s official! The Sunshine Coast has officially been recognised internationally as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The region now proudly stands as an international site of excellence and an area of natural beauty. Read more.
Registration is open for the Thriving Through Change business expo which will focus on supporting business resilience and growth. The expo takes place on 23 August 2022, from 3 - 7:30pm at Venue 114. Over 35 exhibitors from industry, government and education and a program of speakers, including a keynote, will provide insight, advice and resources to help create opportunity for your business. Seek, listen, meet and connect with the network of business support on the Sunshine Coast. Register here.
$10 million expansion shows confidence in Sunshine Coast
One of Australia’s leading manufacturer and supplier of steel building products has shown its confidence in the Sunshine Coast, investing in a new $10 million facility in Bells Creek.
Metroll established its Sunshine Coast branch 22 years ago and is part of a large national network which has 29 branches spread across every state in Australia.
Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson officially opened* the new facility and thanked Metroll for its contribution to the region. Read more.
The Sunshine Coast is a 2022 Top7 Intelligent Community, sitting alongside Brazil, Canada, Taiwan and Vietnam. The status was awarded by New York based Intelligent Community Forum (ICF). Read more.
The Census provides a valuable snapshot of information about Australians that reflects our community at the time the Census was undertaken. The most recent Census of Population and Housing was conducted on 10 August 2021. For more information see About the 2021 Census.
Brisbane 2032 procurement
Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games (Brisbane 2032) provides the certainty and confidence needed to trigger increased investment and unlock innovation. Brisbane 2032 will create a 20-year pipeline of opportunities for Queensland businesses to take part in exciting projects, create valuable new partnerships and supply chains, and develop their business capability.
Brisbane 2032 will have a Queensland-first procurement strategy, underpinned by the Buy Queensland approach and policy, and benefit local businesses.
Register for updates to be notified when information is available about business opportunities for Brisbane 2032.
Go for gold and make tracks at special Sunshine Coast event
From children to seniors, beginners to pros, everyone is invited to join the fun and #HaveaGo at a free council community event in Caloundra on July 23 – a celebration to acknowledge exactly 10 years to go until the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games open.
Get on your bikes at Sugar Bag Road Mountain Bike Trails from 10am-3pm for an action-packed day of demos, trails, #HaveAGo sessions and rubbing shoulders with world-class champions.
Date: Saturday July 23, 10am-3pm Cost: Free! Food and drinks available for purchase from stallholders. Venue: Sugarbag Road Mountain Bike Park Registration essential for #HaveAGo sessions
Mayor’s Telstra Innovation Awards
Mentoring sessions have piqued the creativity of Sunshine Coast high school students as teams prepare to battle it out for the live pitch and awards ceremony to be held next month (July).
The MTIA program, which is supported by Sunshine Coast Council and Telstra, helps develop business ideas that use innovation or technology in a new way to solve a community, environmental or business challenge.
Nine industry experts presented on one of the four start-up discussion topics to help guide and support the MTIA finalist teams at they continue to progress their concept and ideas for Phase 2 judging.
The calibre of mentors, the expertise and experience brought and shared with the 10 finalist teams will really help these students, from those ‘a-ha’ moments, to revisiting their concepts or plans with new insight to help them succeed.
The Smith Family is holding an inaugural business breakfast for local employers to help futureproof the workforce on Sunshine Coast. A panel of local experts will dive into local employment challenges, growth industries in the region and opportunities for how we can come together as a community to ensure local businesses have access to young talent.
Real-world insights will be shared from a high school student, principal and an employer already engaged with the life-changing work of The Smith Family. It is a shared opportunity not only for local businesses to attract young talent, but for youths on the Sunshine Coast to succeed in their career journeys beyond school, particularly those who lack the necessary networks and industry connections.
Date: Thursday 14 July 2022 Time: 7 - 8:45am Venue: Maroochy RSL RSVP: Please RSVP here by July 8, FREE for local businesses
Our Tech Industry
The Sunshine Coast has all of the key ingredients required to support an innovative and thriving tech industry. These include game-changing infrastructure, a supportive business and investor community, local government committed to innovation, talent and education pathways. This, coupled with the region’s enviable lifestyle, is seeing the Sunshine Coast emerge as a future Tech hub. Check out these two videos to promote our region. More available on our Council’s YouTube channel.
The Sunshine Coast Tech Industry Alliance welcomes you to IoT State of Play. This is a panel discussion where we dive into the IoT as a value chain play
Join Catherine Caruana-McManus Co-Founder of Meshed IoT as a keynote speaker as she shares about the competitive advantage that Australia and the Sunshine Coast region have and over the world.
Date: Thursday 7 July, 2022 Time: 4 - 7pm Venue: USC Innovation Centre, Sippy Downs RSVP: Register here Your ticket includes a dinner and a drink. Tickets are limited.
Got better things to spend your time on than invoicing? Want to find out how to protect your business from email cyber-attacks? This Smart Lunch is for you!
Making the switch to eInvoicing will leave you more time to focus on growing your business and protect you against email cyber-attacks.
The seamless invoicing option reduces the risk of email scams and fraud as invoices are sent via a secure network by approved service providers.
Hear from IDCARE Cyber Security Founder & Director David Lacey and ATO, eInvoicing Director Mark Stockwell on what eInvoicing is, what it isn’t, and why the government is driving this economy-wide initiative.
For $10 you can soak in this valuable information while you enjoy lunch at Caloundra’s Breakfree Grand Pacific.
The event is free for members of any chamber.
Date: Thursday 21 July, 2022 Time: 11.30am - 1pm Venue: BreakFree Grand Pacific, Caloundra RSVP: Register here
