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Natural Resources

Since moving Aeromil from Sydney ten years ago we have been able to grow all facets of our business. We are currently undertaking further expansion of our Sunshine Coast capabilities.

Steve Padgett, Executive Chairman, Aeromil Group

Key business leaders and the Sunshine Coast Council have identified eleven active industry sectors many of which are consistent with the State’s priority sectors.

1. AVIATION - The Sunshine Coast is already home to a diverse range of progressive and globally-focused aviation companies. Among them are training and education institutes, manufacturers, project management companies, charter services, mechanical design, emergency services, and licensed maintenance and overhaul facilities. The Sunshine Coast has emerged as a burgeoning ‘one-stop shop’ for aviation, with an established profi le and reputation within Australia.

2. CREATIVE INDUSTRIES - Increasing numbers of innovative and creative people are choosing to live and do business on the Sunshine Coast - nurturing an emerging cultural and creative business capability in music composition and production, writing, marketing, architecture and design. Creative industries on the Sunshine Coast embrace new media and multi-media, and include various activities and functions in fi lm and television, broadcasting, computer animation and video games, web design and music.

3. DIGITAL INDUSTRIES - The Sunshine Coast is rapidly becoming the home of a vast range of new technology-based companies. These fi rms have recognised the region’s growing ICT industry capability and support network. The University of the Sunshine Coast, the Innovation Centre Sunshine Coast and the ICT Learning Innovation Centre all support further development of this sector in the region.

4. EDUCATION SERVICES -The Sunshine Coast provides a range of education services for life long learning which can be closely aligned to business needs. Over 80 primary and secondary schools offer both public and private education across the region. Tertiary education is delivered through one of the Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE’s five local campuses or more than 150 degrees on offer at the University of the Sunshine Coast as well as undergraduate and postgraduate higher education programs available at CQ University. The region is a growing private education destination for international students at all levels through the work of SUNED.

5. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES - The Sunshine Coast is a natural fit for environmental technology companies through its commitment to sustainable development. UNESCO accreditation for the Noosa Biosphere and the Sunshine Coast Council’s commitment to creating Australia’s most sustainable region is resulting in a high concentration of businesses across the Sunshine Coast delivering environmentally friendly products and services. The Sunshine Coast’s position as a model for sustainability in Australia is being further enhanced by recent national and international awards bestowed upon several of the region’s environmental technology businesses.

6. FOOD AND BEVERAGES - The Sunshine Coast supports a world-class food and beverage processing industry. Rich soils and favourable climatic conditions, along with plentiful supplies of rural water, makes the Sunshine Coast highly suitable for agribusiness. The region offers a diverse range of innovative food processing activities, including beverage production, fruit and nuts, seafood, baked goods, dairy products, food ingredients and horticultural products.

We were attracted by the region’s diversity, its accommodation and corporate venues, the support available from the government and private sectors, its abundance of media outlets, and of course its fabulous weather and beaches!

Errol Bailey, Executive Director, Coates Rally Queensland

7. HEALTH AND WELLBEING - As part of the population boom, the Sunshine Coast has seen an increase in retirees relocating to the area for its quality of life. This growth has encouraged the development of state-of-the-art Aged Care services along with extensive medical facilities and supporting infrastructure. The region is serviced by four public hospitals and fi ve private hospitals. To meet the needs of an emerging population the planned $1.6 billion Sunshine Coast University Hospital will further enhance the Sunshine Coast as a location for medical facilities or services, business and innovation.

8. LIGHT INDUSTRIES - The Sunshine Coast has a proven history in advanced manufacturing and metal fabrication. Today, these industries have adjusted to global competition by becoming highly innovative and focusing on niche areas of expertise.

9. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES - Lifestyle benefi ts, a growing population, staff recruitment and retention, a vibrant commercial sector, lower business costs, proximity to Brisbane and access to national and international markets are attracting experts in law, accounting, fi nance, engineering, business consulting, public relations, architecture and recruitment. A strong Sunshine Coast business community, supported through coordinated events and information exchanges, offers business development fi rms a strong network of like-minded professionals.

10. SPORT AND LEISURE - Complementing its natural training grounds and subtropical climate, the Sunshine Coast is home to several world class training venues, including over 100 sports fi elds and grounds, aquatic centres, surf life saving clubs and Olympic rowing courses. The University of the Sunshine Coast offers extensive sporting facilities, covering everything from basketball to pole vault and is home to a multi-storey Health and Sport Centre. The Health and Sport Centre includes purpose-built teaching spaces for a range of health degrees such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and psychology and is built alongside a national standard multimillion dollar sports stadium.

11. TOURISM AND EVENTS - The Sunshine Coast is one of Australia’s premier holiday destinations. Tourism contributes approximately $1.56 billion to the regional economy and directly provides 20.4% of jobs on the Sunshine Coast. The region continues to attract world class events, including: The Australian PGA at Hyatt Regency Coolum; Mooloolaba, Noosa and Caloundra Triathlons; Rally Queensland/Asia Pacific Rally Championships; The Noosa Longweekend; Coolum Kite Festival; Caloundra Music Festival and; The Queensland Home Garden Expo.