A positive health check for employment

Council’s support for investment within the Kawana Health Campus has yielded major positives for employment during the second quarter of the 2014/15 financial year.

Health and Medical Precinct and Education Portfolio Councillor Peter Cox said council had confirmed a further 12 months support for _The Work Shop_ project that helped secure more than 200 construction jobs on the Sunshine Coast Public University Hospital site.

“One of the biggest successes in this program is that one-in-five people placed by _The Work Shop_ team were previously unemployed prior to getting a construction job with Sunshine Coast Public University Hospital contractors,” Cr Cox said.

“Another major milestone was also achieved in the adjacent Oceanside Health Hub with the start of work on a $15 million Best Western Hotel.”

New and Emerging Industries Portfolio Councillor Stephen Robinson said council’s Airport Expansion Project reached a major milestone with the conclusion of the public notification period.

“During the required 30 business day period, 986 submissions from community members, organisations and government agencies were received by council and responded to,” he said.

“The determination on the Environmental Impact Statement for the airport is expected by July 2015 and following the outcome of this, the project will enter another exciting phase as council considers funding options for this major infrastructure project within our region.”

Tourism, Sport and Major Events Portfolio Councillor Jason O’Pray said four major events during the quarter had attracted 10,800 visitors / participants from outside the Sunshine Coast.

“The Caloundra Music Festival, the Kawana Triathlon, The Triathlon Pink / Fun Run and the Holden Scramble Finals generated approximately $9million in economic activity,” he said.

Council also provided support to more than 1,000 local businesses and conducted or partnered in 31 business events. Assistance was provided to eight businesses under the Local Business Support Program and to more than 120 businesses through council’s partnership in the Sunshine Coast Business Awards program.