High Value Industries, Local-to-Global Connections and Investment in Talent & Skills 

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Other Projects

High-Value Industries

Priority A. Attracting and developing high-value industries.

• Develop and aggressively implement industry and investment plans for each of the high-value industries – focusing on addressing impediments to growth, workforce requirements, supply chains, market opportunities and the identification of key investment targets.

• Develop a clear investment proposition and compelling marketing materials for each high-value industry to attract and generate new investment.

Priority B. Providing a regulatory environment that encourages investment and growth.

• Establish the Enterprise Corridor in the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme with development requirements in appropriately designated areas to be based on strong commercial investment principles.

• Identify and preserve future priority public transport corridors to connect to major business, tourism, education and population centres within the Enterprise Corridor.

• Ensure local regulatory fees and charges relating to development of high-value industries remain at the forefront of contestability with those of other regions in Queensland and the east coast of Australia.

• Ensure the regulatory settings outside the Enterprise Corridor do not inhibit or constrain investment in agribusiness and niche tourism and leisure experiences.

Priority C. Promoting innovation, research and digital participation

• Develop and implement a Sunshine Coast Digital Economy and Participation Plan for business and industry.

• Support targeted professional mentoring, entrepreneur and angel investor programs.

• Develop innovation, best practice and business skills in existing and new regional businesses, including rural and hinterland businesses, to increase their sustainability.

• Increase links and collaborations between research institutions, business and industry in the region.

Pathway - Key Outcomes

01. Council’s 15 Megawatt Solar Farm at Valdora has more than 57,000 Solar Panels and became operational in mid-2017.

02. Council facilitated seven high-value industry taskforces made up of 50 industry leaders, meeting up to six times a year each as well as additional projects. A $250,000 in-kind contribution per annum.

03. Ten coworking, incubator and makerspaces, supporting small businesses and startups across the region, mapped alongside other business support programs on an online entrepreneurship ecosystem map.

04. ‘Digital Sunshine Coast’ launched as well as online Business Gateway and economy. id service.

05. Marketing material including case studies, industry and investment brochures and factsheet produced.

06. Enterprise Corridor and appropriate development provisions formally established in Planning Scheme.

07. Consistently high regional business confidence has been measured annually.

USC has experienced a 218% growth in research grant revenue in 2016 compared to 2013 levels.

Local-to-Global Connections

Priority A. Positioning the Sunshine Coast in key national and global markets as a competitive source of high-demand goods and services.

• Create a regional network and inventory of existing international expertise and relationships to help forge stronger commercial linkages outside the region and leverage new business, trade, clients and public and private investment.

• Establish an annual program of business and export missions – led by Council – to grow awareness of the region’s products and services and investment opportunities.

• Ensure Queensland Government Trade Commission have access to up to date information on the strengths and competitiveness of the Sunshine Coast.

Priority B. Developing export-ready businesses and market responsive industries.

Support specific regional market development and export programs, and access to trade and investment networks, advice and opportunities.

Promote the capabilities, products and services of the region’s export ready businesses and suppliers to key markets.

Pursue government support programs, and link with government agencies with an in-market presence in target markets, to assist Sunshine Coast businesses to enter new markets nationally and globally.

Pathway - Key Outcomes

01. Worked closely with the Queensland and Australian Trade and Investment groups and conducted a number of successful trade missions to Asia and European investment missions.

02. Export and Global Capability Program delivered to 78 companies and 100 individuals, with a 97% customer satisfaction rating and video testimonials.

03. Annual briefing to Queensland Government Trade Commissioners and annual sponsorship of Queensland Export Awards.

04. Sunshine Coast Export Network established to foster international connections with more than 500 participants.

05. Six Export Development workshops and 11 networking events held for 900 attendees.

06. Growth in exports from 13.6% to 17.9% in region.

07. Sunshine Coast exporters, such as Coyo, are recognised for their capability and success.

08. On average, the Sunshine Coast now annually hosts 15 inbound trade and investment delegations introduced by Austrade and Trade and Investment Queensland.

Investment in Talent & Skills

Priority A. Attracting and retaining skilled workers to support the growth of high-value industries

• Seek a commitment from the Federal Government to regularly monitor skills and labour shortages (and ensure workforce gaps and early solutions are identified) for high-value industries and ‘game changer’ projects.

• Develop migration program options to enhance the skills and business needs of the region in conjunction with federal and state government agencies.

• Leverage opportunities in Asia and other key markets to increase the intake of international students in tertiary, technical and secondary schools.

Priority B. A regional education and training system geared to the demands of the new economy.

• Implement the Regional Education and Training Project to ensure collaboration between the region’s education and training sectors to improve educational access, relevancy and outcomes in support of a future skilled workforce.

• Develop skills and training programs through education providers and enterprise skills initiatives, designed to meet projected industry skills shortage needs.

• Raise awareness in the middle phase of schooling (Years 8-10) of local career options and associated skills requirements.

Pathway - Key Outcomes

01. Future Careers 2025 Expos engaged and informed local students on the future education/training opportunities required to meet future job options.

02. Education Sunshine Coast established and incorporated as the peak body for advocacy and promotion for education in the region.

03. Development and delivery of the Coder Dojo initiative and coding skills training through TAFE Qld.

04. The Job Show event delivered in 2015 and 2016 to highlight current vacancies and training opportunities.

05. Mayor’s Telstra Technology Awards program delivered annually since 2016.

06. Study Sunshine Coast program is being delivered to increase the number of international students and retain local students.

07. #SCRIPT program provides more than $1 million over 3 years to develop innovation and entrepreneurial activities.

08. Enhancement of University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) MBA offering to target local needs.