ISSUE 2 | 2022
Vitamin SC Give your business a boost of
SUNSHINE COAST
New greenfield CBD
A CITY CENTRE WITH SUNSHINE COAST FLAIR
The HQ with IQ
AN INTELLIGENT COMMUNITY
Fast data
SUBMARINE CABLE DELIVERING OPPORTUNITIES
WATCH THE VITAMIN SC STORY Follow the entertaining story of inner-city manager Cam as he discovers the benefits of locating on the Sunshine Coast – both for the business and for himself. The videos were produced by Sunshine Coast Council with the help of talented local creatives, producers and actors.
WATCH THE VIDEO SERIES HERE!
June 2022
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS Sunshine Coast Council acknowledges the Kabi Kabi peoples and the Jinibara peoples and recognises that the Sunshine Coast local government area has always been a place of cultural, spiritual, social and economic significance to its Traditional Custodians. Council is committed to working in partnership with Traditional Custodians and the First Nations community to support selfdetermination through economic and community development. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Council wishes to thank all contributors and stakeholders involved in the development of this document.
DISCLAIMER Information contained in this document is based on available data at the time of production. All figures and diagrams are indicative only and should be referred to as such. While Sunshine Coast Regional Council has exercised reasonable care in preparing this document, it does not warrant or represent that it is accurate, reliable, current or complete. The content of this document is not intended to provide specific guidance for particular circumstances and it should not be relied on as the basis for any decision to take action or not to take action on any matter. Users are advised to exercise their own independent skill or judgment or seek professional advice, including legal and financial advice, before relying on the information contained in this document. Except for liability which cannot be excluded, Sunshine Coast Regional Council excludes all liability, injury, loss or damage (including for negligence) incurred by the use of, reliance on, or interpretation of this document. Liability which cannot be legally excluded is limited to the maximum extent possible.
Welcome
As more Australian city businesses look to the regions to establish, relocate or expand, the Sunshine Coast is firmly in the spotlight, with an attractive range of business benefits and lifestyle advantages. With billions in economic investment underway, lower costs of doing business and the major expansion of the Sunshine Coast Airport, the Sunshine Coast is top of the pack as a smart place for business. Over the past 15 years, economic growth has outperformed almost every other regional economy, sparking a wave of new residential, commercial and retail development.
Get in touch At Sunshine Coast Council, we’re approachable. For example, you can call us (or we can call you!) about your business location plans. Did you know that we offer the following services? • A single point of contact for all of your business enquiries • Concierge tours of key business locations (in real life!) • Site selection assistance • Business case support • Development approval support • Connections to supportive contacts and networks • Relocation assistance To find out more about business expansion or relocation opportunities on the Sunshine Coast, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Alex Lever-Shaw Head of Investment Attraction Economic Development Branch | Sunshine Coast Council Email: invest@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au Phone: +61 407 753 645 Visit our blog page or access a wide array of information online
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Work-life
balance
Develop, grow and succeed.
A
As one of Australia’s most desirable lifestyle locations, the region also offers an enviable work-life balance for business owners and workers. It’s not uncommon for Sunshine Coast locals to rise with the sun.
Australia’s most tech-savvy regions, the Sunshine Coast is a magnet for big thinkers and innovative
A zest for life is contagious on the
business people.
Coast and carries through to the workforce.
s a business location, the Sunshine Coast offers an unbeatable combination of capital city infrastructure and a famously stunning natural environment.
Now firmly established as one of
The Sunshine Coast already boasts some of Queensland’s best schools
The booming economy is being
and the impressive $300 million
propelled forward by a highly
in education infrastructure
educated, highly motivated
investment currently underway is
workforce and a uniquely
expected to provide a major boost
entrepreneurial culture.
to the region’s educational offering.
300 days of sunshine per year 52km of open coastline 13,000km of water courses 39,835 hectares of national parks, state forests and reserves
1,800 local events annually
However, our early start is not to beat commuter traffic, as is often the case in the city. Rather, you’ll catch locals – from the beach to the hinterland – taking advantage of the big blue skies and beautiful natural environment.
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The finer things in life The Sunshine Coast restaurant
The Sunshine Coast’s craft beer
There is so much to explore on
scene is something special with a
and wine industries are booming.
the Sunshine Coast – from the
range of multicultural cuisines that
relaxed main street of Caloundra
highlight the exceptional flavours
Diverse microclimates allow for
to the European-style cobblestone
found in the region.
a wide range of grape varieties
streets of Montville and the
to flourish and with the perfect
famous Eumundi Markets – each
There is an abundance of freshly
weather to enjoy an ice-cold beer,
area offers its own unique shopping
caught seafood, locally grown
boutique breweries and cellar doors
and dining experience.
produce and a range of gourmet
are popping up all over the region.
food and beverage providores.
BROUHAHA BREWERY
MOOLOOLABA BEACH
EUMUNDI MARKETS
A sustainable, innovative approach
Sunshine Coast beaches
The world famous open air
to craft beer has fuelled the
are some of the best in the
market features art and crafts
expansion of this popular Maleny-
world. Mooloolaba Beach is a
from local artisans, great
based brewery. They’re planning to
spectacular example and has a
coffee and juices and delicious
build a second venue in Caloundra.
buzzing beachfront esplanade.
street food. 5
Sunshine Coast
Major Projects
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A new CBD with Sunshine Coast flair M
aroochydore City Centre aims to be Australia’s first truly smart city – just 10 minutes from the Sunshine Coast Airport and 20 milliseconds from Asia through the new broadband submarine cable.
Image: Aerial view, Maroochydore City Centre, September 2021
The first commercial building, Foundation Place, is already completed and fully tenanted and the Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites, opened May 2022. New construction projects are underway, including another two residential towers, a second commercial building and Sunshine
Master-planned from the ground
Coast Council’s City Hall.
up, the new CBD will offer capital city infrastructure and has been
The Queensland Government
designed for the Sunshine Coast
approved Priority Development
lifestyle, with almost 18 hectares
Area is being delivered by
of parklands and waterways.
Walker Corporation, SunCentral Maroochydore Pty Ltd and
The multi-billion-dollar greenfield
SMART CITY
Sunshine Coast Council.
CBD will feature a mix of commercial, retail, residential and
The Maroochydore City Centre
dining precincts.
benefits from close proximity
The new Maroochydore City Centre will be embedded with smart technology, creating a cleaner, greener, dynamic city. Australia’s first CBD-scale underground automated waste collection system Energy-saving LED lights throughout the CBD Free Wi-Fi in streets, parks and plazas Smart signage with live travel information for pedestrians Smartphone apps will guide drivers to the nearest parking space
to Sunshine Coast Airport, the Bruce Highway and the national rail network.
The Sunshine Coast’s unique
150 photographs
design philosophy has been
showcasing special
captured in a spectacular hard
places and examples
cover book called Sunshine
of well-designed
Coast Design.
buildings, streets and spaces on the Sunshine
The book was the result
Coast.
of extensive community engagement and collaboration and features more than
DESIGN BOOK ONLINE 7
Fast data I
n late 2021, ASX listed NEXTDC purchased the Sunshine Coast International Broadband Cable Landing Station from Sunshine Coast Council to create the SC1 Edge data centre.
Located in the heart of
data speeds, reduced risk and lower
Maroochydore, the data centre
costs.
provides a direct link to high-speed data via the Sunshine Coast’s
With a total planned capacity of
international submarine cable.
1MW, SC1 supports the highest levels of customer availability and
Data hungry businesses of all sizes
is backed by a service guarantee of
are expected to benefit from faster
100% uptime.
GOT TO LOVE THAT CABLE! Watch video two in the Vitamin SC (Sunshine Coast) series, in which city-based manager Cam is pleasantly surprised by the Sunshine Coast’s superfast data connection to Asia and the US.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE! 8
Booming health T
he health and wellbeing industry is booming on the Sunshine Coast, propelled by the $5 billion Sunshine Coast Health Precinct which is Australia’s largest health infrastructure project currently being developed.
The Sunshine Coast’s growing
•
Sunshine Coast University Hospital
•
Sunshine Coast Health Institute
•
Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital
•
Health Hub
•
Birtinya Town Centre
population is driving demand for health and wellbeing services and the industry is the region’s largest employer. The precinct offers an appealing range of opportunities for health industry businesses, innovators and entrepreneurs.
VITALITY VILLAGE Vitality Village is a five-storey health space which opened mid-2021. The space is designed for businesses in health service delivery, research, education and innovation. The building is more than 70% leased but opportunities are still available. Visit Vitality Village Image credit: Lucy RC Photography
online.
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Flying high T
he Sunshine Coast provides exciting and diverse opportunities in the Australasian aviation and aerospace market and is already home to a thriving aviation industry.
Bonza routes subject to regulatory approval
The expanded airport is providing more ways for businesses to thrive. •
Increased domestic and international routes.
The Sunshine Coast Airport’s new
•
development opportunities.
international runway has elevated the facility to a world-class, fullyserviced aviation precinct.
Prime airside and landside
•
Emerging food and beverage manufacturing hub, Turbine.
BONZA! Australia’s newest airline, Bonza, is establishing its HQ at Sunshine Coast Airport from mid-2022.
EASY RETURN FLIGHTS, LESS TRAFFIC! Watch video three in the Vitamin SC (Sunshine Coast) series, in which the Sunshine Coast team encourages a New Zealand client to visit for a face to face meeting.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE! 10
The HQ with IQ I
nnovation thrives on the Sunshine Coast. It is part of the fabric of the business community and is why the region has been named a global Smart21 Intelligent Community in eight out of the last nine years.
The region boasts a deeply
SUNSHINE COAST INNOVATORS… Report significant increase in sales from new products and introduced services, compared to the rest of the country Report higher business performance
52% introduced new innovations in 2020 100% use digital business practices
rooted collaborative culture and a network of like-minded people
and partnerships that develop
who are quick to embrace new
fresh perspectives and solve
businesses and enthusiastically
problems.
welcome new entrepreneurs.
The new international broadband network and significant
Investment in innovation extends
investment in infrastructure
Accelerators, coworking spaces,
beyond the startups. The region
and major projects is attracting
incubator events and meetups
is already home to a wide range
innovators, digital entrepreneurs
foster a culture of collaboration
of businesses that are leaders in
and tech-savvy businesses.
their field. The broadband network provides the fastest Australian east coast connection to Asia and is a unique selling proposition for global data intensive companies that might be reconsidering the best location for their Australian investments.
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SUNSHINE COAST INNOVATORS
leading the way AMBROSE BUILDING
275% faster with automation technology
Its business philosophy is centred
I
f there was a best and ‘fastest’ award it would certainly go to Ambrose Building. Headquartered on the Sunshine Coast, Ambrose Building is one of Australia’s largest insurance property repairers and a local success story ... thanks to its innovative technology.
The family owned and operated
on creating great experiences for
through real time information
customers, trades and staff.
sharing and process automation.
And the company’s state-of-
By automating manual,
the-art technology makes that
administrative tasks Ambrose
possible. The custom-built apps
Building staff have more time to
and job management software
focus on customers; reducing
are all designed to make the
costs and keeping projects on
repair process easier for everyone
track for fast completion.
“[Our technology] provides us with the ability to respond to 15,000 claims a year across
business manages thousands of
Queensland and it gives us the speed and
property repair claims each year.
efficiencies that are needed to respond to
Its custom-built software platform
large volumes of work in natural disasters.”
allows it to automate 80,000 processes every day, resulting in 275% faster turnaround times!
MANAGING DIRECTOR, BRETT AMBROSE
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OPEN INSURANCE
How the Sunshine Coast became an international launch pad
F
ive years ago, two
colleagues from the consulting industry had a vision to create a fundamentally better insurance company. One that used data and artificial intelligence (AI) to make decisions.
That idea was the genesis for Open
Buck says the decision was made
“COVID has changed all sorts
easier by the Sunshine Coast
of expectations about where
Council’s plans to develop the
people live and work,” Wilby
region’s commercial infrastructure.
says. “And the Sunshine Coast is an incredibly attractive place for
“Sunshine Coast Council’s vision
anybody. Having that office is an
is not something I had seen
important part of our overall value
anywhere else,” Buck says. “This
proposition.”
was a place where we felt that our teams and other people from
The focus on quality of life is
our business would feel excited
also demonstrated by Open’s
to work.”
certification as a B Corporation,
Insurance, which in September
which reflects the company’s
2021 became the latest Australian
Since relocating its customer
ambition to meet the highest
fintech to attract the attention of
service team to an office
standards of verified social and
international venture capitalists.
overlooking Lake Kawana, Open has
environmental performance,
seen other team members choose
public transparency, and legal
Co-founders Jason Wilby and
to relocate to the Sunshine Coast,
accountability to balance profit
Jonathon Buck were introduced
including a senior product manager.
and purpose.
to the Economic Development
The Sunshine Coast team now
team at Sunshine Coast Council
numbers close to 30, with as many
and were impressed by both the
as 20 more expected to join them
quality of the Sunshine Coast’s
in the next 12 months.
Read the full article as seen on SmartCompany.
infrastructure and the skills and attitude of its workforce. “We saw an opportunity to take what was largely a technology business into an area that was experiencing substantial economic growth and established insurance expertise and build a team that was going to be very happy and customer-centric,” Wilby says.
Image: The Open Insurance leadership team
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HELIMODS
Redefining aerospace
World-leading aerospace company on yet another expansion path
T
he world-leading Sunshine Coast aerospace company, HeliMods is investing $10.3 million to expand its operation at Caloundra Airport.
The expansion of the largescale state-of-the-art aircraft manufacturing and modification facility will allow the business to
skilled workforce are in specialist technical roles and as the business grows so will the need for technology-enabled roles.
The business has a growing list of
The Sunshine Coast is already
projects for civil clients and with
home to a thriving aviation industry
the expanded facility, HeliMods will
and offers exciting and diverse
be in a strong position to bid on
opportunities for players in the
high value defence contracts.
aviation and aerospace market.
Investment in technology and
The added investment at Caloundra
people is critical to the continued
Airport will make the region more
success of HeliMods. More
attractive for players in the high
than half of the dynamic, highly
value aviation industry.
accelerate its growth and become a major player in the aerospace and defence industries. HeliMods uses cutting edge technology to customise helicopters to support missions like firefighting, law enforcement
“I believe the Sunshine Coast is capable of hosting the most advanced and technology intensive industries in the world.” WILL SHRAPNEL, HELIDMODS FOUNDER
and medical rescue.
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Unbeatable location F
amous for its superb natural environment and healthy, smart communities, it’s no surprise the Sunshine Coast is also now one of the strongest commercial property markets in Australia.
Click here to watch a virtual tour of Sunshine Coast businesses.
The region is home to more than
According to CBRE’s Sunshine
344,000 people and expected to
Coast Market Review released
grow to 518,000 by 2041.
August 2021, the Sunshine Coast remains one of the strongest real estate markets in Australia and shows no signs of weakening.
Get your free copy of the
“Data indicates the region has
Sunshine Coast Commercial
become the hottest office market
Property Guide 2022, a showcase
in Queensland, has an unmatched
of the region’s prime office,
demand for industrial land and that
commercial and retail locations.
residential sales across the region are at record highs.”
DOWNLOAD GUIDE
I FINALLY GET IT! Watch the final video in the Vitamin SC series, when city manager Cam surprises everyone by arriving in person at a Sunshine Coast team meeting. And he’s not just visiting! Dragging suitcases behind him, he declares “I finally get it, I’m here to stay.” WATCH THE VIDEO HERE! 15
The smart place for business The Sunshine Coast is regarded as a national lifestyle location with its amazing weather, vibrant culture, welcoming communities and innovative businesses. Both Sunshine Coast Council and Queensland Government provide assistance to help navigate government requirements and streamline access to new investment and business development opportunities. Sunshine Coast Council welcomes and supports the growth of local businesses and the establishment of new ones in the region. Council support services for business include: •
A single entry point for service
•
Business case development support
•
Site selection assistance and relocation advice
•
Incentives and assistance
•
Connections with government and industry bodies and access to international market information
Contact an investment specialist For a confidential discussion on the opportunities available, contact an investment specialist at Sunshine Coast Council. Email: invest@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au Phone: +61 407 753 645 Access a wide array of information online, including local success stories, programs available to local businesses and the latest in local industry news. invest.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
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