State Of The Region Summit

Wealth Of The Region: Building on Strengths

Our place, Our Future, Your say!
Not only will Warren Bunker, Executive Director of Regional Strategy and Planning for the Sunshine Coast Regional Council conduct a keynote presentation outlining Council's new planning scheme initiative, but Council's public road show display will be on show at the Summit. Make sure you are there for your say when we ask the hard questions and get instant audience feedback!


Sunshine Coast an outer suburb of Brisbane?
"With the continued population growth and urban expansion of South East Queensland, the Sunshine Coast could be in danger of losing its identity," Professor Scott Prasser, Convenor of the Sunshine Coast State of the Region Summit warned.

Population trends being presented at the State of the Region Summit by Dr Alison Taylor, Manager Demographic and Housing Research in the Planning Information and Forecasting Unit of the Queensland Department of Infrastructure and Planning highlight that in 2008 the Sunshine Coast was the equal fastest growing major population region in Australia outside the capital cities.

"The other issue is that the rest of south east Queensland is also growing almost as fast and urban expansion or creep that the Sunshine Coast is really under such external pressure," he said.

With continuing growth ahead, there are significant challenges for planners and policy makers seeking to enhance overall sustainability while efficiently using land and resources, promoting economic development, encouraging equitable outcomes for all, preserving local communities, and developing a distinct regional identity and sense of place.

"The region as a whole needs to think about how it is going to manage its projected growth over the next 25 years" he said. "The role of the Sunshine Coast within the broader South East Queensland region needs to be identified, developed and acknowledged so that local differences can be nurtured and capitalised upon."

"We know what our strengths are, but if present trends continue they will be undermined and the Sunshine Coast will just become another suburb of greater Brisbane," Professor Prasser said.


Hospital crisis looming for Sunshine Coast
Join Dr Andrew Southee, President of the Sunshine Coast Local Medical Association for the latest update on the status of the Sippy Downs hospital issue.

Stae of the Region Summit Details
Friday 13 November 2009, 8am, University of the Sunshine Coast

Numbers are limited, please contact 3366 0533 for more information.