A Guide for Relocation

WELCOME TO AUSTRALIA’S

Sunshine Coast

Welcome to the Sunshine Coast! It is always a big step to move to a new place and we hope this relocation guide can make it that little bit easier to access Council’s services.

Sunshine Coast Council is proud to serve such a great place which includes spectacular

beaches, a beautiful hinterland and friendly locals. Our vision is to be Australia’s most

sustainable region – vibrant, green, diverse.

You have arrived at an exciting time for the Sunshine Coast as it undergoes an economic transformation. Australia’s largest health precinct is well underway, providing thousands of jobs over the life of the project and many more

career opportunities once the public hospital is open and the allied health industries are established alongside it. This in turn will create more opportunities across the region.

This is the future we want for the Sunshine Coast; new clean industries, well-paid jobs and clear career paths for our children.

Join us on this journey towards a future of prosperity and opportunity.

Mayor Mark JamiesonSunshine Coast Council

FACTS

Population: 280,000Land Area: 2,291km2

Location: 1 hour by car to BrisbaneBusinesses: 30,000+GRP: $13 billion1

USEFUL INFORMATION

TIME ZONE:Australian Eastern StandardTime is GMT plus 10 hours.Daylight Saving is not observed in Queensland.

Located in South East Queensland, about 100 kilometres north of Brisbane, the region is home to a population of more than 280,000 and predicted to grow to 450,000 by 2031.

This staggering growth can be attributed to a range of game changing projects, excellent educational opportunities, comparatively low crime rates and a supportive business community. Not to mention its world acclaimed family-friendly beaches and enchanting Hinterland, which make it one of Australia’s top tourist destinations.

The region is also home to a wide array of

attractions and tourism services such as Australia Zoo and major sporting events suchas Ironman 70.3 and the Mooloolaba Triathlon.

The Sunshine Coast certainly earns its name with an average of seven hours of sunshine a day. The sub-tropical climate is ideal for the beach, alfresco dining and year round activity.

This relocation guide provides general information about local housing, schooling and the best places to dine and be entertained to help you settle into Sunshine Coast life. If you require assistance establishing or relocating a business on the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast Council can off er a range of free investment facilitation services. Contact the Coordinator of Investment Attraction on +617 5475 9958 or go to www.invest.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

The Sunshine Coast is one of Australia’s most desirable regions to live, renowned for its superb natural attributes and diverse, vibrant communities.

1NIERIR 2013

One of Australia’s mostdesirable regions to live.

The Sunshine Coast area covers approximately 2,291 square kilometres with 52.3 kilometres of open coastline.

The Sunshine Coast contains a number of urban centres, each with a contiguous urban area and a central business district. They are Caloundra, Kawana, Maroochydore, Buderim, Coolum and Nambour. Most houses on the Sunshine Coast are sold or rented by a real estate agent and can be found on popular sites such as domain.com.au and realestate.com.au.

When compared with other major Australian cities, the Sunshine Coast has highly competitive house prices and a comparatively low median weekly rent at A$316/week.2

HOUSING

For further climate information please refer to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology www.bom.gov.au

COMPARATIVE HOUSE PRICES3

Perth $1,075,000

Sydney $710,000

Darwin $591,000

Canberra $570,000

Melbourne $535,000

Gold Coast $513,000

Brisbane $470,000

Sunshine Coast $480,000

Water Unitywater is the water distribution and retail business serving Moreton Bay and the Sunshine Coast. Unitywater manages and maintains the water supply and sewerage infrastructure.

For enquiries, call 1300 086 489 or go to www.unitywater.com.au

Gas and electricity Customers in Queensland purchase their gas and electricity from retailers licenced by the Queensland Government. Retailers buy energy in the wholesale market and sell it to individual customers. Your retailer will bill you directly for the energy you use.

The Energy and Water Ombudsman has a list of suppliers available at www.ewoq.com.au

Telecommunications There are many phone and broadband providers operating on the Sunshine Coast including major international providers Telstra, Optus and Vodafone.

For local phone and broadband details go to www.digitalsunshinecoast.com.au

AVERAGE SEASON TEMPERATURES Low High Summer December - February 20°C 28°C

Autumn March - May 16°C 25°C

Winter June - August 10°C 21°C

Spring September - November 15°C 25°C

2ECONOMY ID 3 Hometrack 2012-2014, Housing Valuation System as at June 2014.

Maroochydore

SunshineCoastAirport

Maleny

Mapleton

Kenilworth

Landsborough

PalmwoodsMontville

Eumundi

Coolum Beach

Peachester

Mooloolah

Mudjimba

Buderim

Bli Bli

GlassHouse

Mountains

PeregianSprings

Yandina

Yaroomba

Beerwah

Caloundra

Nambour

Kawana

SippyDowns

To Brisbane(State Capital)

Sunshine CoastPublic University

Hospital

Universityof theSunshine Coast

Mooloolaba

Palmview

Ninderry

North Arm

Doonan

Woombye

Beerburrum

Witta

Conondale

Cambroon

Belli Park

Flaxton

PelicanWaters

North BribieIsland

Gympie Regional Council

Noosa Shire Council

SomersetRegional Council

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Moreton BayRegional Council

Sunshine Coast Airport

University of the Sunshine Coast

Hospitals

High Schools

Major Shopping Precincts

Major regional activity centre

North Coast Rail Line

Highways and Motorways

Roads

National Parks and State Forests

AUSTRALIA’S SUNSHINE COAST

The Sunshine Coast is just over one hour by road, north of the state capital of Brisbane and covers an area of approximately 2,291 square kilometres with 52.3 kilometres of open coastline.

Maroochydore

SunshineCoastAirport

Maleny

Mapleton

Kenilworth

Landsborough

PalmwoodsMontville

Eumundi

Coolum Beach

Peachester

Mooloolah

Mudjimba

Buderim

Bli Bli

GlassHouse

Mountains

PeregianSprings

Yandina

Yaroomba

Beerwah

Caloundra

Nambour

Kawana

SippyDowns

To Brisbane(State Capital)

Sunshine CoastPublic University

Hospital

Universityof theSunshine Coast

Mooloolaba

Palmview

Ninderry

North Arm

Doonan

Woombye

Beerburrum

Witta

Conondale

Cambroon

Belli Park

Flaxton

PelicanWaters

North BribieIsland

Gympie Regional Council

Noosa Shire Council

SomersetRegional Council

Moreton BayRegional Council

Kawana Health Campus and Oceanside Kawana Health Precinct Kawana Health Campus includes a $150 million private hospital (opened in 2013) and a $1.8 billion tertiary public hospital

(opening in 2016) which includes a $60.8 million Skills, Academic and Research Centre (SARC).

Oceanside Health Hub - 32,000m2 commercial space for specialist clinics and health facilities.

Transit Centre – 77,200m2 catering for complimentary educational facilities and public transport.

Oceanside Town Centre – 45,000m2 for retail, commercial and entertainment.

SchoolsThe Sunshine Coast has more than 70 private and public schools and boasts some of the highest performing private schools in Australia.

The Queensland Studies Authority (QSA) report on Year 12 Outcomes for 2014 Sunshine Coast shows the top fi ve independent schools which received Overall Position (OP) between 1 and 15 were:

• Caloundra City Private School - 100%• Coolum Beach Christian College - 100%• St Andrews Anglican College - 96%• Sunshine Coast Grammar - 96% • Matthew Flinders Anglican College - 95%

For more information on local schools, visit Education Queensland www.education.qld.gov.au

Tertiary EducationThe University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) is Australia’s fastest growing university and off ers more than 100 undergraduate and postgraduate study programs to approximately 12,000 students.

USC is the only Queensland public university to consistently rate fi ve stars for teaching quality and has earned multiple fi ve-star ratings for its educational experience, including overall graduate satisfaction, graduate satisfaction with generic skills, gender balance, Indigenous participation and electronic support.

To cater for a growing student population and meet a new workforce demand, USC is currently undertaking a $81 million expansion project.

Sunshine Coast is also home to a number of vocational training institutions including TAFE QLD East Coast.

EDUCATION

Sunshine Coast is home to around 1,700 healthcare businesses including 286 private specialists and 112 primary care practices, employing 400 general practitioners.

The current centres of activity for the health and wellbeing industry are the major hospitals located in the region as well as numerous specialist care providers. Key facilities are located at Caloundra, Kawana, Nambour, Buderim and Maroochydore.

The Kawana Health Campus, incorporating a private hospital and a tertiary public hospital including a Skills, Academic and Research Centre, and the surrounding Oceanside Kawana Health Precinct ($5 billion) is currently being developed to service a growing population.

Operating hospitals• Caloundra Public Hospital• Caloundra Private Hospital• Maleny Soldiers Memorial Hospital• Nambour Hospital• Nambour Selangor Private Hospital • Sunshine Coast Private Hospital• Sunshine Coast Public University Hospital (opening 2016) • Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital • Sunshine Coast Day Surgery• Kawana Private Hospital

HEALTHCARE SERVICES

EmergencyThe standard emergency number in Australia is 000. You will be directed to an operator tasked with coordinating police, ambulance and fi refi ghter services.

ENTERTAINMENT

Food and diningThe Sunshine Coast is famous for its fresh produce supplied daily to local restaurants, cafes and markets. Most locals do their regular shopping at large supermarkets such as Woolworths, Coles, Independent Grocers Australia (IGA) or Aldi located at most major suburban shopping precincts.

Local farmers markets are another great way to snap up bargains and indulge in beautifully fresh produce and gourmet products. Some of the local markets include Eumundi Market, Kawana, the Big Pineapple, Caloundra, Yandina and the recently launched Big Top Farmers Market. Eating out on the Sunshine Coast is a multicultural affair with plenty of fresh seafood, colourful tropical fruits, excellent wines and boutique beers. You can choose from exclusive beachfront restaurants, to family-friendly surf clubs lining the

coast, to great-value RSLs or simply treat yourself to the quintessentially Australian outdoor dining experience— munching on crunchy fish and chips sprinkled with lemon juice and salt as the sun sets on a balmy beach evening.

ShoppingYou will find shopping centres and retail outlets along the esplanades and board walks and in the historical towns of the hinterland. From the relaxed main street of Caloundra to the Mooloolaba Esplanade or the European-style main street of Montville, each centre offers tranquillity that comes with roaming through retail outlets without stress. For all your favourite fashion chain stores, head to Sunshine Plaza in Maroochydore or Kawana Shoppingworld, which have a great selection of independent retail stores and department stores.

The Sunshine Coast Council area is served by the Bruce Highway, the Sunshine Motorway, Sunshine Coast Airport and the North Coast railway line.

Airlines The region is well connected through the centrally located Sunshine Coast Airport, which has daily flights from Sydney and Melbourne with Jetstar and Virgin Australia and international flights to Auckland and beyond with Air New Zealand. Local bus services operate door-to-door shuttles servicing both Brisbane Airport and the Sunshine Coast Airport seven days a week. Flights can be booked through Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Air New Zealand’s websites or go to www.sunshinecoastairport.com.au for arrivals and departures.

Driving The Sunshine Coast is located about 100kms north of Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland. All major car rental companies are represented at both the Sunshine Coast Airport and Brisbane Airport.

Trains and Buses A railway line connects the region to Brisbane in the south, and Gympie and beyond, to the north. Interstate coach operators operate daily bus services to Brisbane where connections are made to the Sunshine Coast. Timetables and routes for buses can be found at sunbus.com.au or translink.com.au. Train times through Queensland Rail at qr.com.au. Hinterland Connect Bus Service is a new route servicing the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Buses routes connect Maleny, Montville, Flaxton, Mapleton and Nambour. There are also services from Maleny to Landsborough Railway Station.

TRANSPORT

USEFUL INFORMATION

Taxes In Australia A Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10% is included in the price of all goods and services sold in Australia, with the exception of some basic items. It is automatically charged, so there’s no need to add this to the bill. When leaving Australia within 60 days of buying goods, you may be exempt from paying GST. You can take advantage of the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) to claim back the GST you have paid. TRS only applies to goods that you can carry as hand luggage, and other conditions do apply. Further information visit www.customs.gov.au

Local beachesSome of the best beaches for children include Kings Beach, Bulcock Beach, Golden Beach and Cotton Tree which offer excellent beachside playgrounds. Mooloolaba Beach and Mooloolaba Spit is one of the few north-facing beaches on Australia’s east coast, providing safe sheltered waters for young families and novice surfers.

Surfers will find the best surf breaks at Point Cartwright, Alexandra Headland, Moffat Beach and between Coolum and Peregian — the local surfers are friendly and will happily share the waves.

There are a number of dog-friendly beaches on the Sunshine Coast including Currimundi Beach, Buddina Beach, Wurtulla Beach and Mudjimba Beach. Some less frequented beaches are at Mudjimba, Marcoola, Warana, and Buddina.

For an action-packed 4WD adventure along some of Australia’s most famous sandy stretches, explore the coloured sands of Rainbow Beach or catch the vehicular ferry over to Fraser Island.

Surf SafetyAlways follow basic surf and water safety on Sunshine Coast beaches and swim at patrolled beaches between the red and yellow flags which indicate lifeguards and lifesavers supervise the area. The meaning of other flags are:• Blue flags: shows the area allocated for board riding and surfing• Red Flags: indicate that the beach is closed and that you should not enter the water• Yellow flags: indicate there are potential hazards in the water• Red and white quartered flag: Emergency evacuation, leave the water immediately. For further information on swimming or surf safety on Sunshine Coast beaches, go to Surf Lifesaving www.australialifesaving.com.au or Sunshine Coast Council www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

LOCAL GOVERNMENT INFORMATION

Sunshine Coast Council (SCC) is bounded by the Gympie Regional Council area in the north-west, Noosa Shire in the north-east, the Coral Sea in the east, the Moreton Bay Regional Council area in the south, and the Somerset Regional Council area in the south-west.

SCC has worked with business and industry leaders to develop a progressive approach to sustainable economic growth. Sunshine Coast – The Natural Advantage: Regional Economic Development Strategy 2013-2033 provides a 20 year vision and blueprint for sustainable economic growth. It leverages our region’s natural advantages, industry strengths and emerging opportunities, existing expertise and future potential.

The four goals to be achieved by 2033 are:

• Triple the size of the economy to $33 billion

• Create 100,000 new jobs in high-value industries

• Develop international export and trade partnerships – 20% of goods and services produced for export outside the region

• Raise household income levels above the state average.

INFORMATION FOR INVESTORS

Sunshine Coast Council’s Economic Development Branch is dedicated to supporting the growth of existing business and assisting in the relocation or establishment of new investment.

Industry and Investment Facilitation Offi cers can help fast track your relocation process with the following benefi ts:

• Financial assistance to help off set various establishment costs

• A single point of service to facilitate connections with government bodies

• Tailored package of comparative information to assist in your decision making process

• Access to key international market information

• Customised site selection assistance and relocation advice.

www.invest.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au has an array of information about doing business in the region including local success stories, programs available to local business and the latest in local industry news.

If you’re relocating your business from outside of Australia, the Business and Skilled Migration Queensland website can help with the appropriate visa information. Go to www.migration.qld.gov.au

We look forward to welcoming you to the Sunshine Coast!

Mayor Mark JamiesonSunshine Coast Council

The futureis here

www.invest.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

FOR MORE INFORMATIONGo to www.invest.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au or email invest@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au or call the Coordinator of Investment Attraction on +617 5475 9958.