17 September 2024
Have your say on plan to attract luxury hotels
Community consultation is now underway for a proposed Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) aimed at providing short-term planning incentives to encourage the development of upscale hotels.

The proposed TLPI is in response to the urgent need for four and five star hotels. 

The Sunshine Coast has a current and forecast shortfall in serviced visitor accommodation of more than 2,000 hotel rooms - many of these potential visitors are staying elsewhere and travelling in by car or simply not visiting at all.

Each full-service hotel is expected to generate an average of $29.5M/year in economic benefit to the region, create over 400 construction jobs and 150 ongoing tourism jobs.

Only a small number of development applications for upscale hotels are expected to be approved under the TLPI.

Please complete the short survey and encourage your staff and colleagues do the same.
Have your say by 7 October

Coast shines in national awards
Sunshine Coast Council has been named a finalist in two categories in the nation’s premier Economic Development Awards for Excellence.

Council’s first ever Buy Local Day initiative earned a finalist spot in the category of "Economic Development Recovery & Resilience".

The Testing Tech in Paradise campaign was also named a finalist in the "Economic Development Through Partnerships & Collaboration" category. 

The winners will be announced on 17 October.
Read more
Funding for artists
Up to $15,000 of funding for artists, creatives and producers is available through the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) grants program.

 Grants include Major Project funding (up to $15,000), Mentorship funding (up to $5,000), Small Grants Program (up to $3,000) and a Professional Development Program (up to $1,500).

Support is available to anyone thinking of applying for RADF funding via 1:1 consultations in the City Hall Foyer, Maroochydore on 26 September — bookings essential. 

Applications close 7 October.
How to apply
Business Basics Grants Program
The Business Basics grants program provides support to businesses to increase core skills and adopt best practice.

Applicants can apply for funding up to $7,500 for activities under the following priorities: professional business advice, strategic marketing services and website build and upgrades.

The grants program is available for businesses with five employees or less.

Registration of interest opens on 30 September.
Read more
Gear up for Biketober
Through Council’s ThinkChange program we are supporting ‘Biketober’ and encouraging all Sunshine Coast workplaces and businesses to challenge their colleagues to a bit of friendly competition by riding in October.

The aim is simple…to get more people riding bikes and enjoying all the benefits that biking brings.

Everyone is invited and it’s completely FREE! 

Register before 1 October and you automatically enter the early bird prize draw for a $3,000 bike of your choice!
Register here
 
Register here
Build A Better Business Program
We’re seeking expressions of interest for the next Build A Better Business Program.

Take a deep dive into your business and build a comprehensive business plan with guidance from an expert business mentor.

The program is an opportunity to set your short to long term business goals and plan your path to achieving them. This course is FREE and will award you with a micro-credential.

For more information email: businessdevelopment@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.
Register here
Small Business Procurement Workshop
18 September
You're invited to the Small Business Procurement – Big Build Opportunities Workshop at Nambour RSL on 18 September.

The FREE workshop will provide information about how to prepare your business for opportunities to work with the Queensland Government. 

Morning tea, light refreshments and opportunities for networking after the workshop make this an unmissable event. 
Get in touch
SWIMCON24
19-22 September
SWIMCON24, an annual aquatic sports conference, is coming to Caloundra.

Caloundra businesses - this is your chance to showcase your offerings which will be shared exclusively to around 350 delegates.

Send through an offering (this doesn’t have to be a discount) and high-quality image that is free from text and branding by 18 September to
placeactivation@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.
Register here
Thriving Through Change
29 October
Register now for the return of the Sunshine Coast’s premier business growth and resilience expo!

The Thriving Through Change Business Expo is back on Tuesday 29 October 2pm – 8pm at the Maroochy RSL.

Now in its fourth year, Thriving Through Change will again look to provide the Sunshine Coast business community with amazing opportunities to connect, learn and collaborate. 
Supporting our lifeguards
Our coastline remains a favourite for beachgoers with more than seven million visitations each year, and conditions can be deadly if they stray from patrolled areas.  

Sunshine Coast beaches are patrolled by thousands of volunteer lifesavers and Council also funds a team of professional lifeguards who, together, work to achieve the aim of zero preventable deaths on our beaches. 

Council’s $6.7 million contribution towards lifeguarding services ensures year-round patrol services and vital rescue equipment for our community and visitors to the region.

More than 120 professional lifeguards are employed across permanent, part-time and casual positions to cover 21 patrolled beach locations, from North Coolum to Bulcock Beach. 

New this season is the provision of All Terrain Vehicles to better service Buddina and the Maroochy River Mouth and additional lifeguard resourcing on weekends at Marcoola, Mudjimba and Maroochy River Mouth.
Read more
September 21-29
Pacific Club Football Championships | Maroochydore

October 2-6
Australian Rugby Shield | Caloundra

October 11 & 12
AFL Qld Schools Cup Final | Maroochydore

October 12
Surfing Qld Series: Australian Boardriders Battle | Coolum

October 12 & 13
All Schools Triathlon and Aquathlon | Lake Kawana

October 19
Blackall 100 | Mapleton
Big Pineapple Festival | Woombye

October 26 & 27
Sunshine Coast MultiSport Festival | Landsborough