looking forward to 2030

Transcription

1 looking forward to 2030 Draft for comment

2 introduction The Sunshine Coast s first community plan documents our community s vision, values and aspirations for the next 20 years. It recognises that we are community of communities and acknowledges and respects our unique environment, our rich heritage, our diverse people and our shared values. The plan is a strategic document that sets the context for the development and growth of our region, the protection of our ecosystems, improvements to our infrastructure and supports the wellbeing of our people. This plan has been facilitated by the Sunshine Coast Council. It details elements of our lifestyle that the community wants to see preserved and the big issues which need to be addressed going forward. As such its key messages need to be carefully considered by all decision makers across the region in the development of their strategic plans. Preparing the plan has involved reviewing regional issues and input from local residents. All consultation has been undertaken in line with council s community engagement policy. It began with an extensive analysis of feedback obtained over the last five years from previous research and community consultation activities. Further information was derived from an independent survey of 800 people and a two day community conference held in October 2010, which was attended by a wide range of community representatives and stakeholders. What emerged from this process was an agreement to the Sunshine Coast becoming Australia s most sustainable region. Along with the realisation that to become more sustainable we must protect our precious natural assets and lifestyle, build our economy, create a fairer society and seize new opportunities as they arise. The community appreciates that there are difficult choices and major debates ahead as we try and balance economic development, environmental protection and a more equitable society. Crucially our community has also made it clear that it wants to participate and its voice to be heard in these future debates. Council would like to thank everyone who has participated in the development of this plan. We look forward to continuing community input and engagement in the development of the region. Images and captions in this plan have been contributed by local people through the Zooming into 2030 photographic project and as feedback on the draft plan. Image from Community Conference October 2010.

3 I hope in 2030 we still have a place to play in our neighbourhood Contents Indigenous history 2 The early Europeans 3 The 20th century 4 Becoming the Sunshine Coast 5 Recent developments 6 Lessons from the past 7 The region today 8 Big issues for the future 10 Our vision 11 A community of communities 12 Our values 13 Our principles 14 Changing our thinking 15 Retaining our lifestyle 16 Managing growth 17 Becoming ecologically sustainable 18 Developing our economy 19 Ensuring social cohesion 20 Being connected 21 Tapping into our creativity 22 Sustainability indicators 23 Areas for improvement 24 Next steps 25 Council s response 27 Sunshine Coast Community Plan 1 Image courtesy of Megan Gill

4 Indigenous history Our region s development and industry are relatively recent but our Aboriginal history dates back many thousands of years and evidence of that time remains with us today. The Sunshine Coast is rich in Indigenous heritage, with numerous sites steeped in cultural significance and a long oral history which is still very much alive today. The Gubbi Gubbi people lived along the coast and inland on the adjacent ranges while the Jinibara people lived in the south western parts of the region. These people had an excellent knowledge of the land, and they hunted the ranges, fished the rivers and lakes, and gathered seafood from the ocean for many thousands of years. The Gubbi Gubbi and Jinibara walked the country in family groups coming together when food was plentiful. Probably the most significant and largest of these social gatherings were the Bunya festivals in the Blackall Ranges where people from all over the region and beyond gathered to sing and dance, exchange the news, settle disputes, arrange marriages and undertake initiation ceremonies. Tribal boundaries were marked by rivers and mountain ranges and a number of major trading routes past though the Sunshine Coast. Today many Aboriginal words are still used to describe parts of our region s geography and landscape. These include Cooroy, place of the grey forest possum, Nambour which comes from the Gubbi Gubbi name for the red flowering grevillea, Beerwah which means eagle, and Bli Bli which refers to the flying fox. The coming of Europeans changed the lives of the traditional owners forever. Following the establishment of the penal colony in Redcliffe in 1824 it is estimated that up to 3,000 Aboriginal people died as a result of the expansion of white settlement into the region. Today the Indigenous community on the Sunshine Coast includes Traditional Owners, South Sea Islanders and historical Aboriginal peoples. The South Sea Islanders were brought here in the early days of European settlement and forced to work on farms. Most of the historical Aboriginal peoples have moved into the area since 1965 when the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act repealed previous laws dating from 1897 which had restricted Indigenous people s rights to own land, travel and vote. In 2030 I hope that we celebrate our rich and diverse cultures. 2 Sunshine Coast Community Plan Image courtesy of Corrie Wright.

5 the early Europeans Lieutenant James Cook observed the peaks of the Glass House Mountains from his ship The Endeavour in He named them after the furnace cones of the glass factories in his native Yorkshire, which they resembled. Some 29 years later, Matthew Flinders conducted a survey of the Glass House Mountains from the summit of Mt Beerburrum. The first Europeans to live on the Sunshine Coast were drawn to the region s abundant timber and grazing potential. By the mid 19th Century, almost all the land in the vicinity of the Eumundi district formed part of three cattle runs. The Mooloolah River mouth and harbour were surveyed and charted in 1861 and Tom Petrie explored the region in the early 1860s. The first settlers came to Landsborough a decade later. In 1875, the first house was constructed at Caloundra by Robert Bulcock. His nephew, novelist Vance Palmer, wrote of the early days of settlement in his classic novel The Passage. Signs of the region s agricultural potential began to emerge in the late 1860s, and in 1876 the first sugar mill was established in Buderim. In the decades that followed, Buderim farmers turned to large-scale fruit production. To the north, the discovery of gold in Gympie in 1867 provided a significant catalyst for the development of Tewantin and Noosa. The road connecting Brisbane to Gympie was completed in 1868 and by November of that year, Cobb & Co. coaches were carrying passengers, mail, goods and gold between the two centres. Bankfoot House a heritage residence set in the Glass House Mountains, and now owned by Council was built as an accommodation stop for coaches travelling the old Gympie Road. In 2030 I hope that there is still a viable, commercial fishing fleet operating from Mooloolaba Harbour. Sunshine Coast Community Plan 3 Image courtesy of Bill Sanderson. Caption courtesy of Joanne Henebery.

6 the 20 th century The development of the Brisbane to Gympie railway in the late 1800s had a significant impact on development and settlement patterns. It opened up the hinterland and spawned the railway towns of Beerburrum, Beerwah, Mooloolah, Nambour, Yandina, Cooroy, Pomona and Cooran. The establishment of the Moreton Central Sugar Mill in 1897 saw Nambour emerge as a centre of industry and business. Around the turn of the century the dairy industry became dominant in the Kenilworth and Belli areas and agriculture had begun to thrive on the Blackall Range. Mapleton had become a leading citrus producing area by the early 1900s and citrus orchards and pineapple farms covered the plateau at Montville. In the decades that followed, this area became known for macadamia nuts and avocados as well as its dairy industry. On the coast, the sale of residential allotments in 1908 marked the beginning of the development of Maroochydore as a seaside resort. Coolum had also become home to a number of settlers and between 1922 and 1925, the first genuinely trafficable road providing vehicle access from Coolum to Yandina was constructed. Cane farming provided the main source of financial stability in this area until the advent of tourism in the 1960s. Before the first bridges over Doonella Lake and Weyba Creek were built in 1929, Gympie Terrace and Noosa Heads could only be reached by boat. Once Noosaville and Noosa Heads became accessible by motor car, the local tourism industry began to expand. The region s population grew throughout the 1930s as roads improved and automobiles became more reliable and affordable. There has always been a strong nature preservation and conservation movement in the region advocating the protection of natural areas and the enlargement of conservation tenures. The original rainforest areas of the Noosa National Park were gazetted in 1930 and since then other national parks have been established in the region including Kondallilla Falls in 1945, the Mooloolah River National Park in 1960, the Great Sandy Park in 1971 and the Glass House Mountains in World War Two brought an influx of Australian and American armed services personnel to Caloundra and Bribie Island, while the beaches from Noosa to Caloundra hosted a series of military camps to guard our coastline from attack. After the war there was a building boom on the coast, with the well-heeled from surrounding areas building fibro shacks in prime beachfront positions to use as holiday homes. The real breakthrough for tourism however arrived with the completion of the David Low Way from Maroochydore to Noosa in The opening of the Maroochy Airport in 1961 marked another major milestone for the region. This facility has undergone significant expansion since and almost half a century on, the renamed Sunshine Coast Airport had nearly a million passengers pass through its gates. The 1960s marked the start of a new era for the region with major social changes resulting from the movement away from a hinterland based rural farming economy to a new focus on coastal development accompanied by the growth of the tourism industry. 4 Sunshine Coast Community Plan Sunshine Coast Community Plan

7 becoming the Sunshine Coast The name Sunshine Coast was launched in December 1958 at the inaugural dinner of the Sunshine Coast branch of the Real Estate Institute of Queensland. The institute was arguing to replace the term Near North Coast, which the Branch considered was not sufficiently distinctive and had no significance for southerners. The name was officially adopted in November 1966 to cover the Maroochy, Noosa and Landsborough Shires. During the 1960s the Sunshine Coast s surfing culture started to flourish, as a growing number of board riders discovered the region s pristine coastline and beach breaks. Elsewhere in the region, pockets of the hinterland were becoming a haven for people seeking an alternative lifestyle as a growing number of people turned their backs on the city and moved to the country. In 1976, the combined population of the Noosa, Maroochydore and Caloundra shires totalled 62,673. Just 15 years later, that figure had grown to more than 167,000. By 2010 that number had almost doubled again, with an estimated 330,000 residents calling the region home. The Coast s own daily newspaper, the Sunshine Coast Daily, began rolling off the presses in 1980, coinciding with a surge in the region s growth and development. While the David Low Way had opened up the ribbon of coastal subdivisions, further urbanisation led to the construction of the Sunshine Coast motorway. The first section between the Bruce Highway and Nicklin Way opened in 1988, followed by the stretch from Nicklin Way to David Low Way two years later. In 2030 I hope that our beaches are still world class. Sunshine Coast Community Plan 5 Image courtesy of Andrew Cook.

8 recent developments The Sunshine Coast University College was founded at Sippy Downs in The college achieved full university status in The Sunshine Coast University now creates new opportunities for the region s residents and the local economy. Population growth also led to the development of new shopping centres across the Coast and the region s largest, Sunshine Plaza at Maroochydore, opened in Starting in the 1980s, local architects and designers had begun to experiment with environmentally sensitive designs. By the 1990s they had earned a national reputation for their innovative buildings which were helping to define the character of the coast. The significance of our regional ecosystems and the efforts our community has put into preserving these systems has received significant international recognition in the last two decades. In 1993 the Pumicestone Passage was included in the declaration of the Moreton Bay Marine Park and later that year the Park was recognised as an internationally significant wetland and bird habitat under the RAMSAR convention. Fourteen years later Noosa Shire was declared Queensland s first UNESCO Biosphere reserve in recognition of the area s biodiversity and the local community s efforts to combine economic and social development with environmental protection. In March 2008, almost sixty years from the Real Estate Institute of Queensland s proposal calling for the region to be renamed the Sunshine Coast, the Sunshine Coast Regional Council was created following the State Government s Local Government reform process which merged Caloundra City with the former shires of Maroochy and Noosa to form a single local government. In 2030 I don t want to live in a place that resembles a sardine can! 6 Sunshine Coast Community Plan Image courtesy of Taylah Hughes.

9 lessons from the past To effectively plan for a strong and resilient future we must understand our history. Our past is important we need to respect it, learn from it and conserve what is important to us about it. Our cultural heritage is woven into the fabric of our everyday life. It has determined the look and feel of the landscape we live in and left us with an environmental legacy that includes significant areas of land preserved as national parks but other areas that are highly degraded. There is much we can learn about sustainability from Aboriginal culture. The townships and urban areas peppered throughout the Sunshine Coast are historic places with their own distinct features, architecture and sense of identity. We need to nurture these places and recognise their unique heritage. We also need to clearly define how we are going to do this and who is responsible for conserving our heritage. The challenge of getting around the region is still with us and in the decades ahead we will need to improve our public transport linkages and overcome our reliance on the motor car. People have been talking about having a rail line linking the coastal areas to the Brisbane railway line since the 1890s! Many of the environmental, economic and social challenges the region faces are the result of the last four decades of exponential population growth and associated development. This has seen the region s essential and social infrastructure stretched almost to breaking point and housing becoming less affordable. Managing the impact of growth remains one of our biggest challenges going forward to On the positive side we have a strong history of community activism and social enterprise across the region. We need to celebrate our community heroes and find new ways to harness people energy to help address the major environmental and social challenges we face in the decades ahead. At the same time we also need to broaden our economic base from the current reliance on tourism, retail and construction industries, so that we have jobs for our expanding population and our young people are not forced to leave the Coast looking for work. To do this we need to look at ways in which we can attract new investment to the region by drawing on the creativity and innovation of our entrepreneurs and investing in smart sustainable industries and securing our digital future. Similarly we need to find ways to reinvigorate our rural sector which for so long was the backbone of our economy. While being conscious of our historical legacy we must also be aware of new and emerging challenges such as climate change and peak oil. Recent studies by the International Panel on Climate Change show that the Sunshine Coast is one of the most vulnerable areas in Australia to the impacts of climate change. Community adaption strategies will become increasingly important for our region in the century ahead. This Community Plan will help us build on our past, encourage us to embrace our potential so we can look to the decades ahead with optimism and a clear sense of who we are, where we have come from and where we are going. Sunshine Coast Community Plan 7 Image courtesy of Olivia Baberowski.

10 the The Sunshine Coast region covers an area of more than 3,000 square kilometres, including 113 square kilometres of waterways. It has more than 200 kilometres of coastline, over 4,000 kilometres of roads, nearly 800 kilometres of bikeways and over 13,000 hectares of parks and bushland. With its diverse geographical, geological and topographical features and conservation ethic the Sunshine Coast is increasingly being recognised for its rich biodiversity. Approximately one third of the total Sunshine Coast region consists of native vegetation, with around half of this vegetation on private land. The Sunshine Coast is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, with people from other parts of Queensland, interstate and overseas drawn to our wonderful climate, enviable lifestyle, natural attributes and obvious potential. The region is home to more than 300,000 people and it is anticipated that at least 200,000 additional residents will settle on the Sunshine Coast in the next 20 years. Despite the common belief that the Sunshine Coast is an affluent community, analysis of the latest census data shows that we have a smaller proportion of people earning over $1000 per week and a larger proportion of people earning less than $400 per week than the Queensland average. These figures reinforce the importance creating new job opportunities and addressing affordability issues. Also, like many so called sea change communities around Australia our demographic profile shows a lower proportion of families and a higher proportion of people over 50 than the Queensland average. This reflects our popularity as a place for people to retire. This ageing of the population brings with it both opportunities but also a number of challenges in terms of service provision and economic vitality over the next 20 years. It also raises the question of how we ensure that the Sunshine Coast remains a vibrant place for families and young people to live. In 2030 I want to see the best and brightest young people staying on the coast 8 Sunshine Coast Community Plan Image courtesy of Ben Everingham.

11 In 2030 I hope that the Biodiversity Strategy being implemented now will have stopped our wildlife from being hung out to dry. Sunshine Coast Community Plan 9 Image courtesy of Rebecca Hoge.

12 b i f It is an enormous challenge to retain the best of what we have now, while embracing change and opportunity as our region continues to grow. The region s liveability, its strong sense of community, its character and environment are central to our future success and these elements must be protected and maintained. The community understands that an expanding population will increase demand for services and infrastructure particularly those that provide for our health and wellbeing. The challenge for all levels of government is to provide essential services and infrastructure in a timely manner. At the same time we need to be creative and broaden the economy by attracting investment and generating jobs in sectors that complement our lifestyle and environment. Investment in education and training are significant issues for the future, as well as the ability to move around the region safely and easily, with quality public transport systems in place. Residents the length and breadth of the Sunshine Coast are united in their support for development that creates a sustainable region. In this regard, how well we manage our projected future growth will be the key issue. Decision makers need to recognise that the majority of Sunshine Coasters are not convinced that the region can easily sustain the South East Queensland Regional Plan s projected population target of about half a million people by Clearly, there is much work to be done. Success will require strong leadership, better collaboration between all levels of government, service providers, the community and business to deliver the best possible outcomes for our region. The big issues for our community include: Providing essential services and infrastructure to meet current and future population needs. Access to excellent educational opportunities. Living in a safe community. Increased and better coordinated public transport services. Adopting sustainable technologies like solar power, collecting rain water and recycling. Providing facilities for sporting, recreation and community activities. Diversifying the economy, supporting existing businesses and creating employment opportunities. Protecting our waterways and coastal foreshores. Enhancing our natural environment and its biodiversity. Ensuring public areas are accessible for older people and those with a disability. Keeping government and utility fees and charges as low as possible. Affordable living Maintaining our active and vibrant lifestyle. Supporting families. 10 Sunshine Coast Community Plan

13 ourvision At the Community Conference in October 2010 delegates endorsed a vision of the Sunshine Coast becoming Australia s most sustainable region. By deliberately aligning the community plan and council s corporate plan, delegates were seeking to unify the region behind a common strategy and provide a strong basis for us to grow. to be Australia s most sustainable region vibrant green diverse We have adopted the following definition of sustainability which states: Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Brundtland Commission Report to the World Commission on Environment and Development, Sunshine Coast Community Plan 11 Image courtesy of Tasha Carthy.

14 a community of communities Sustainability cannot be developed externally and imposed on a community from outside or by government. To be successful, it must be embraced at the local level and adapted to reflect the community s history, values, and aspirations. Our region has developed as a community of communities. It is part of our character and one of our points of difference from other regions in South East Queensland. The development of specific place making strategies which focus on each town and village s history, unique identity and character will ensure that our centres continue to be vibrant, friendly and safe. As they grow and continue to develop, each of these places will contribute in their own way to the essence and strength of the region. We will work hard to ensure that our towns and villages do not dominate or destroy the natural environment. Our urban areas will be surrounded by open space and productive farmland. We love our environment and recognise that we are lucky to live in a biodiversity hot spot where there are many different species of animals and plants. Local entrepreneurs and small businesses are the economic backbone of our communities and we will support them to prosper and grow so we can retain local knowledge and build skills and employment in the region. We also recognise the great benefits that flow from the positive interaction of different generations. We will work hard to provide opportunities for mentoring and the exchange of ideas between young and old. As caring communities, we will work together to find local solutions to social problems such as affordability, poverty and mental illness. In 2030 I hope that there is lots of green space both rural and natural remaining in our landscape 12 Sunshine Coast Community Plan Image courtesy of Tina Freeman.

15 our values The values we as a community have identified to achieve our vision are: Integrity, honesty and openness. Fairness and equity. Generosity of spirit. Acceptance and respect for others. Courage to make the difficult decisions. By adopting these values we aim to create a place where people have a sense of identity and belonging to their community and where everyone takes responsibility for their own actions and gives others a fair go. We hope these values will inspire our leaders to support the building of a caring, ethical and resilient society where we live in harmony with each other and the environment. In 2030 I hope that every child on the Sunshine Coast will be able to experience what it is like to grow their own food by having access to a garden. Sunshine Coast Community Plan 13 Image courtesy of Sandy Johnson.

16 our principles The following principles will help guide our journey towards sustainability and ensure the identity and character of the region is retained; We are committed to understanding our history and not repeating past mistakes. We will make informed decisions for the benefit of all, based upon research, community deliberation and common sense. We will act dynamically to improve the future. We will preserve our unique biodiversity and seek to restore the productivity of degraded landscapes. We will achieve long term economic sustainability based upon environmentally sound development. We will live within our means and seek to minimise our environmental footprint. We will build upon the individuality and character of our communities. We recognise the value of partnerships to help us achieve our common goals. In short: we won t do things today that stuff things up for others in the future! In 2030 I hope that these seeds will have grown into big gum trees to give us clean air and homes and food for wildlife. 14 Sunshine Coast Community Plan Image courtesy of Thomas McCoombes.

17 changing our thinking In 2030 I hope that people can still have fun when hanging around the Sunshine Coast. In order to achieve our vision we, individually and collectively, will need to change the way we think, act and do business. We need to strive to live more sustainably. This will require us to walk or catch the bus more often, get better at recycling our organic waste, install solar panels and embrace new and better designed buildings. As a community we need to agree on those things that are important, what we want to retain from our past and areas for improvement. Most importantly we need to debate what we want to see in the future, be prepared to make the hard decisions and then agree how we will go about making change. To do this we need to be well informed, have access to the latest knowledge and be prepared to share our learnings. In some areas we will need to make incremental change while in others we need to make substantial improvements through the implementation of innovative programs and technologies. To manage these changes we will need to clearly define the actions that are needed to achieve our aspirations, identify the major risks, develop relevant indicators and targets, and ensure transparency and openness across all of our government, business and community organisations. Sunshine Coast Community Plan 15 Image courtesy of Jessica Biddle.

18 retaining our lifestyle One of the key elements that people living in our region wish to retain into the future is our relaxed lifestyle and sense of wellbeing. There are many factors that contribute to our quality of life. These include our health, living in a safe community, having good friends and a safety net if we fall on hard times. Access to open space, the provision of essential infrastructure and the quality of our local environment also contribute to our wellbeing as does the opportunity to participate in community life and decisions that affect our lives. Improving our health and wellbeing is an issue of primary concern to Sunshine Coast residents. By 2030 our region will have become a leader in the provision of health services, medical research, teaching and training. We will have a diverse and holistic health care system that encompasses preventative, and alternative practices alongside traditional health care facilities and services. Recognising that physical activity, recreation and our beach culture are all important components of our current lifestyle and contribute to our physical and mental health, we will retain and enhance our network of open space and protect our waterways and beach foreshores. In the future we will strive to ensure that our urban environments are vibrant, safe and built to withstand severe weather and the impacts of potential climate change. We will also ensure our lifestyle continues to encourage social interaction, caring for one another and artistic and cultural practices that will improve our overall health and wellbeing. This is me in 2030, I hope that we have great skate parks where we can hang out. 16 Sunshine Coast Community Plan Image courtesy of Birgit Kehr.

19 managing growth Managing growth has consistently been ranked as a key issue of concern to Sunshine Coast residents and is recognised as being critical to achieving our vision of becoming Australia s most sustainable region. There are strong links between the built environment, health and wellbeing, economic investment, and ecological sustainability. The key challenge in managing growth is to ensure our new planning scheme makes provision for the necessary infrastructure, suitable housing, community facilities, investment and employment growth to allow communities to flourish, without compromising our natural, social and cultural environments. There are a number of unique development opportunities on the Coast in the next 20 years which are an ideal catalyst for best practice in sustainable development and urban design. The most significant of these are the development of a new central business district in Maroochydore and the creation of new communities at Palmview and Caloundra South. Future generations will judge how successful these developments are in terms of reflecting a Sunshine Coast character, developing long term job opportunities and preserving the region s ecological diversity, particularly in the highly sensitive RAMSAR listed Pumicestone Passage. Well before 2030, we must have the essential infrastructure in place to support the needs of our expanded population. We will also work hard with our neighbours to retain the inter-urban break between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast and the green spaces between our towns and villages. We need to be innovative in our thinking and planning so that young people and families remain in, and are attracted to our region. In 2030 I hope we have responsible development built in harmony with our environment. Sunshine Coast Community Plan 17 Image courtesy of James Drew.

20 becoming ecologically sustainable In 2030 I hope that there will be abundant housing options for our wildlife. As humans we have the ability to alter the natural habitat and even make other species extinct. We can also act as custodians of the land and protect and restore biodiversity so that our environment is preserved for future generations. Achieving ecological sustainability involves integrating environmental considerations into all of our decision making. The challenges are significant. We not only need to change our lives to live more sustainably but at a time of rapid population growth in the region we also need to deliver appropriate new development outcomes that retain our ecological integrity. The natural environment is regarded by residents as one of the region s primary assets and there is a clear community expectation that all levels of government and business will ensure the ecological sustainability of the region as our population continues to grow. In 2030, ecological sustainability will underpin our reputation as a desirable place to live, learn, work and play, and is seen as essential for our current and future success. We will have successfully preserved our natural environment and maintained and enhanced the region s biodiversity values with no net loss of habitat. By using alternative and renewable energy sources at every opportunity, we will be well on our way to a carbon-neutral future and meeting the challenge posed by climate change. Our environmentally-friendly infrastructure and excellence in urban design will be recognised internationally. We will recycle our resources including water and waste, and wherever possible, recycled material will be incorporated into building design. Our community will be actively involved in natural resource management and protecting our region s biodiversity. We will rehabilitate our waterways and using the best science available to maintain a healthy river, coastal and marine ecology. This in turn will support sustainable recreational and commercial fisheries for the long term. 18 Sunshine Coast Community Plan Image courtesy of Rebecca Hoge.

21 developing our economy In 2030 I hope that small business is still the backbone of community. Developing a robust and resilient economy is essential for the Sunshine Coast. Providing better targeted education and training opportunities and supporting existing local businesses, including rural industries, is vital to help the region thrive. We need to attract new industries to diversify the economy, generate a wider range of secure jobs, and to facilitate sustainable economic growth. The task for government is to put the right policy settings, programs and infrastructure in place to encourage the private sector to invest in the region and drive economic development. Innovation and entrepreneurship will be critical to the development of our economy. Also vital will be the upskilling of our workforce to meet the needs of the new knowledge and service based industries that we are seeking to attract to the region. We need to provide our young people with viable employment opportunities locally so they don t need to leave the region to find a job. By 2030, our thriving economy will be acknowledged as the means to deliver our priorities and a critical component of the region reaching its potential. We will continue to offer a broad range of tourism experiences including major sporting, recreational and cultural events. The Sunshine Coast Airport precinct will have expanded and there will be regular commuter air services to key Australian destinations. We will have a strong, local food production industry supplying the local population and tourism with high value quality produce. We will encourage sustainable production techniques and provide opportunities to showcase local production. As the century progresses, we will build new service industries that reflect our positioning as a lifestyle region. We will embrace new ways of doing business and be viewed as a leader in our use of emerging technologies. There will be a high take up and strong competition in our broadband market. We will also seek to establish digital and clean tech businesses across the region. Sunshine Coast Community Plan 19 Image courtesy of Trudie Simpson.

22 ensuring social cohesion Communities across the Sunshine Coast have been built on the three pillars of individual responsibility, family values and community enterprise. We have a strong tradition of volunteerism and community activism and have invested significant social capital in our sporting groups, churches, community and not-for-profit organisations. Our young people attach great importance to living in a place where they feel a sense of belonging. One of the biggest challenges facing our region is ensuring that the Sunshine Coast remains an affordable place to live, and this will only happen if we can diversify the economy and generate significant employment opportunities for our young people. Moving forward we want to build upon the strengths of our communities and give everyone a fair go. We will support the most disenfranchised and vulnerable through education and encourage their involvement in community life. We will not forget the disadvantaged or those isolated from the rest of our community. We want to close the gap for our Indigenous people, in terms of their health, educational and employment opportunities. By 2030 there will be a wide range of housing choice suitable for different ages and incomes. The not for profit sector will continue to flourish across the Sunshine Coast and there will be high levels of volunteerism. At the local level there will be a diverse calendar of festivals and events that celebrate our history, achievements and identity. Neighbourhoods will have established many new community gardens and will be actively safeguarding their local flora and fauna. There will also be many opportunities for social interaction and sharing. All of which will contribute to our sense of belonging. In 2030 I hope that there are even more free community festivals which everyone can enjoy. 20 Sunshine Coast Community Plan Image courtesy of Elliot Peters

23 being connected Our community wants reliable, accessible and affordable public transport that will enable and encourage Coast residents and visitors to leave the car at home. We need improved public transport and rail services as soon as possible to make it safer and easier to move around the region and reduce our dependency on cars. We must ensure that public areas are accessible for older people and those with a disability. In 2030, our transport options will be tailored to the geography of our region. The Coast will be easily accessible by air, road or rail and there will be quality transport links internally within the region. Public transport will be an attractive alternative to private motor vehicles for all Sunshine Coast residents and we will have reclaimed our villages from cars. Visitors will be able to lock their cars on arrival and get around on foot, on a bike or on public transport. Over the next two decades we will develop a system of connected path and cycle ways that allow us to travel smarter, reduce our carbon footprint and develop a walking culture. In 2030 I hope I can catch public transport - anywhere, anytime! Sunshine Coast Community Plan 21 Image courtesy of Kari Porter.

24 tapping into our creativity In 2030 I hope to see the dawn of a new era where we share of ourselves by moving into community and connecting. Innovation and creativity assist in developing a robust economy, ensuring our ecological sustainability and managing future population growth. Furthermore a dynamic artistic and cultural sector is indicative of a progressive community that has a strong local identity and a sense of its place in the world. By 2030, our educational institutions will have blossomed and we will be renowned as a smart region where innovation is a major catalyst for business development. Sippy Downs will have developed as one of Australia s foremost university towns and there will continue to be large numbers of overseas students studying on the Coast. As the University grows it will begin to generate larger numbers of research jobs in areas such as health, engineering and applied science. We will be known for our entrepreneurial approach and will have developed a series of innovation hubs to foster and fund ideas that benefit our region. We will support research and development across all industry sectors. Our libraries will become centres of information and creativity blending both technological innovation and traditional services. Creative and artistic endeavours will be held in high regard and will be well supported on the Sunshine Coast. 22 Sunshine Coast Community Plan Image courtesy of Hannah Coyle.

25 sustainability indicators As a community we need to measure our progress to ensure we are on track to achieving our vision to be Australia s most sustainable region. The use of sustainability indicators will help us understand where we are, the direction in which we are travelling, and how far we are from attaining our goals. They will also help us identify problems and possible solutions, by highlighting our strengths and weaknesses. There are many potential sustainability indicators which the Sunshine Coast might use. However, it is important that these indicators can be benchmarked with other regions and verified by independent sources. For this reason we have decided to adopt the suite of fifteen indicators that the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) developed for its 2010 sustainable cities index with the addition of five community indicators that relate specifically to the Sunshine Coast. These indicators measure: Environmental Performance Air Quality Ecological Footprint Green Building Water Use Biodiversity Quality of Life Health Density Wellbeing Transport Employment Resilience Climate Change Public Participation Education Household Repayments Food Production Community Indicators Economic diversification Energy supply Waste disposal Community Engagement Fish stocks Sunshine Coast Community Plan 23

26 areas for improvement In 2010 our region ranked second on the ACF Australian Sustainable City Index, which measured the comparative performance of Australia s 20 largest cities, and we would like to improve our position relative to other Australian Cities over the next five years. The Sunshine Coast performed very well in the categories of air quality and wellbeing, taking out the top spot in both. We also did well in food production and health, where we were ranked second and third respectively. Over the next five years we would like to continue to perform highly in these four areas. The Sunshine Coast region performed creditably in the categories of Climate Change (6th), Public Participation (7th), Water Use (7th), Biodiversity (7th), and Ecological footprint (9th). Over the next five years we would like to improve our performance in each of these areas. However, we performed poorly in the area of household repayments (18th), and below average in density (14th), employment (13th), education (12th) green buildings (11th), and transport (10th). Over the next five years we would like to significantly improve our performance in the areas of household repayments, density, employment and transport by a minimum of 20%. Improvements in these areas will require the development and implementation of specific strategies and action plans by council and other government agencies targeting amongst other areas affordable living, economic development, community transport and the implementation of a new planning scheme. In 2030 I hope that I have somewhere to sleep. 24 Sunshine Coast Community Plan Image courtesy of Sophie McGeorge.

27 next steps No one organisation or institution has the capacity to deliver all of the aspirations contained within this plan. Achieving our aspirations will require a rock solid commitment and partnership between the community, business and government. Our collective efforts must now be focused on how best to implement our community plan. To realise a sustainable and successful future for the region, it is vital that all levels of government work together. This will require continuing community engagement and consultation, policy coordination, the provision of essential infrastructure in a timely fashion and more efficient delivery of services. To coordinate the delivery of this community plan the Sunshine Coast Council is proposing to facilitate a Sunshine Coast Community Partnership comprising local businesses, not for profit organisations, community groups, resident s associations and all levels of government. This partnership will be tasked with the development and coordination of comprehensive strategies and actions to enable the delivery of the aspirations outlined in this plan. As the partnership develops all members will be required to outline how they will contribute to the implementation of this plan. The partnership will challenge us to put our big ideas into action, support innovation, bring people together, monitor the sustainability indicators, and provide a united voice on important issues. The partnership will set annual priorities, advocacy targets and seek to actively promote cooperation and collaboration between government, business, education providers and the community to ensure that the Sunshine Coast becomes the most sustainable region in Australia. Responsibility for the success of this plan rests with everyone in our community. In 2030 I hope that the Sunshine Coast will continue to blossom. Sunshine Coast Community Plan 25 Image courtesy of Bailey Jeffs.

28 26 Sunshine Coast Community Plan Image from Community Conference October 2010.

29 council s response The Sunshine Coast Council and the community share the same vision of becoming Australia s most sustainable region vibrant, green, and diverse. In order to achieve this vision, council has already produced a number of significant strategies and detailed action plans to enhance the future of our region and ensure we achieve our aims. These strategies are identified and explained in the diagram below. Council will assume a leadership position in responding to the community plan and will facilitate and resource the development of the Sunshine Coast Community Partnership. Council encourages its other partners in the region to also develop a comprehensive response to the aspirations and issues raised in the community plan in order to ensure that we are all working together to achieve our vision. It is important to understand that council views the development of this plan as a beginning and not an end in itself. To be successful this plan needs to be a living document and council commits to undertaking a major review of this plan every five years as well as more regular community conferences and meetings to track the plan s progress. The community plan sets the vision and outlines the community s aspirations. Council s corporate plan describes how council will contribute to achieving the vision. The council s corporate plan has 8 themes. Robust Economy Health and Wellbeing Social Cohesion Accessibilty and Connectedness Ecological Sustainability Great Governance Managing Growth Innovation & Creativity Strategies and Action Plans Economic Development Sustainable Centres Rural Futures Open Space Strategy Youth Strategy Health and Wellbeing Charter Reconciliation Action Plan Sport and Active Recreation Strategy Affordable Living Strategy Social Infrastructure Strategy Aquatic Strategy Social Planning Cultural Heritage Plan Sustainable Transport Strategy Active Transport Support Biodiversity Strategy Pest Management Plan Climate Change and Peak Oil Strategy Carbon Neutral Plan Energy Transition Plan Waterways and Coastal Foreshores Management Flooding and Stormwater Management Strategy Waste Minimisation Strategy Total Water Cycle Strategy 10 year Financial Plan Asset Management Plans Internal Policies and Procedures Planning Scheme Structure Plans Priority Infrastructure Plans Sustainability Policy Creative Communities Strategy Innovative Programs Outcome a sustainable region vibrant green diverse Sunshine Coast Community Plan 27

30 In 2030 I hope that the Sunshine Coast is clean and green when these turtles mature and return to lay eggs on the same beach. 28 Sunshine Coast Community Plan Image courtesy of Mandy Hoge.