Creating vibrant communities, caring for our environment, and building a resilient local economy are major focus areas for Sunshine Coast Council over the next five years.
At its meeting on February 27, Council adopted the Corporate Plan 2025-30, which sets the direction and guides priorities for the next five years.
Connected, liveable and thriving are the three powerful principles that underpin the plan and will propel the Sunshine Coast towards a united, healthy and prosperous future.
Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the plan reflected community feedback and provided a clear and steady focus on the challenges and opportunities ahead.
"Our new Corporate Plan is built around the bold vision of being Australia's most sustainable region," Mayor Natoli said.
"It's a vision that is characterised by creating a balanced Sunshine Coast that honours our residents now and into the future.
"Our goal is to enable a community that is connected, liveable and thriving.
"The Sunshine Coast is home to 365,000 people and is expected to grow by another 153,000 by 2041.
"We are committed to ensuring this growth is well managed for us all," Mayor Natoli said.
"We have a shared passion and commitment to strengthen economic, environmental, and social outcomes for all.
"We need an integrated, safe and efficient transport system that works for locals now and leaves a legacy for future generations. We must have digital connectivity, a sense of well-being for all, and a buoyant economy.
"Each of the three principles - connected, liveable and thriving - holds diverse meaning, ensuring an innovative and people-centred approach to a bright future."
Connected
- Promote efficient active and public transport, along with well-designed spaces, to make it easier for residents and visitors to get around the region, while ensuring they feel safe and welcome.
- Connect our people through the support of community groups: sporting, arts, business and more.
- Connect the people and products of the Sunshine Coast to the world through advancements in transport options and high-speed data, which will support innovation and business.
- Celebrate creativity and First Nations culture, seeking opportunities to connect, share and collaborate with people across the community.
Liveable
- Focus on ensuring our distinctive natural landscape, lifestyle and character are retained as people continue to be attracted to the region and our population grows.
- Enhance our green corridors that connect us to liveable neighbourhoods underpinned by sustainable design principles.
- Shape our region through clever, integrated planning, effectively managing growth while ensuring diverse housing options and infrastructure that are functional, resilient and suited to our subtropical climate.
Thriving
- Foster a high-quality lifestyle for all residents, where they feel well, and are connected through world-class art, music, sport and leisure experiences.
- Support our economy through encouraging innovation, tourism, manufacturing and health along with small business.
- Create benefits for our community to enjoy, long after the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
- Guide community, business and all tiers of government to work together to balance environmental, social and economic priorities, as an internationally recognised UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
What we heard from our community
Mayor Natoli said it was important that Council was transparent about how it worked with, and for, our community.
Community insights have been integral to shaping the Sunshine Coast Council Corporate Plan 2025-2030. Approximately 17,000 community responses were gathered through a range of engagement activities.
"We're connecting and engaging with our communities to build a better future for everyone."
Feedback from community engagements has been grouped into key themes: community, transport, sustainable growth, natural environment, liveability, economy and Council governance.
These themes have played an integral role in shaping the region's vision and establishing the goals and supporting pathways to achieve Council's aspirations.
The Corporate Plan will guide the development of Council's 2025-26 Budget that will come into effect on 1 July 2025. The plan is available on Council's website.
