With the Sunshine Coast set to surpass 500,000 residents by 2041, experts are examining how the region can grow without losing its “essence and vibe”.
As one of Australia’s fastest-growing regions, the area is at a critical juncture, balancing rapid population growth with protecting its character, liveability and identity.
Sunshine Coast Council says the region’s population has surged by more than 80,000 in the past decade and continues to grow by about 8000 residents a year. Against this backdrop, the Sunshine Coast Business Council (SCBC) hosted a conference that brought together some of Australia’s respected strategic thinkers in urban planning and city shaping.
SCBC chair Sandy Zubrinich says the event was an important step in bringing together diverse perspectives.
“Growth is coming. The real question is: how we manage it thoughtfully and collaboratively,” she says.
Speakers included Urbis managing partner James Tuma, Sharp Day co-founder and director Mike Day, and Buchan director and sector lead – precincts Phil Schoutrop.
Mike says collaboration and local context are central to successful outcomes: “These challenges can’t be solved in silos – collaboration across industry, government and community is essential.”
Phil says architects and designers don’t just create buildings, they create places for people. Often, the space between the buildings matters most: “Understanding the needs of the Sunshine Coast community is what turns those spaces into places where people genuinely want to be and that’s the opportunity we have here.”
