Did you know, the Sunshine Coast population is expected to increase from 298,000 to around 495,000 by 2041?

To accommodate such growth, the State Government has estimated that the Sunshine Coast will need an additional 99,300 dwellings by 2041, as outlined in the SEQ Regional Plan.

“Council and our community have consistently outlined a preferred settlement pattern for the region to 2031, as outlined in the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme,” Mayor Mark Jamieson says.

“Our population modelling shows the region can ably accommodate more than the required number of dwellings by 2031 including the 27,600 dwellings planned in Palmview and Caloundra South.

“Between 2031 and 2041, the State Government estimates that another 40,000 dwellings will be required of which more than 25,000 will be provided at Maroochydore, Nambour and in the Sunshine Coast Enterprise Corridor.”

He says the council’s planning for the region, in partnership with the Queensland Government, has produced some great results for the future of the Sunshine Coast community.

“Following strong and consistent advocacy by council, the draft SEQ Regional Plan identifies Beerwah East in the Urban Footprint – a preferred location for long term growth,” he says.

“Beerwah East will provide public transport connections and routes and the additional 10,000 to 20,000 dwellings required to meet the predicted population growth to 2041 and beyond.

Our population modelling shows the region can ably accommodate more than the required number of dwellings by 2031.”

“The draft SEQ Regional Plan also provides for some growth in smaller townships such as Glasshouse Mountains, Landsborough, Palmwoods, Yandina and Bli Bli.
“For many of these towns, this recognises their suitability for urban growth given they are located on the North Coast Rail Line transport corridor. As well as providing increased housing on the Sunshine Coast, it allows these townships to continue to grow.”

The draft SEQ Regional Plan also supports the council’s efforts to achieve an offshore cable protection zone and landing point for an international broadband submarine cable connection, which will make the Sunshine Coast the first regional centre in Australia to provide direct broadband connectivity to global markets.

You can view the draft SEQ Regional Plan at www.qld.gov.au/shapingseq and have your say until 3 March, 2017.