The results from the latest Sunshine Coast Business Confidence Survey are in and show continued steady improvement in local business confidence as the region heads into 2019.
Now in its ninth year and supported by Sunshine Coast Council and Sunshine Coast Chamber Alliance, the annual survey regularly attracts hundreds of business respondents and has become the premier benchmark for business conditions across the Coast.
A key finding from this year's survey is that 83% of respondents said they expected their business to perform the same or much stronger over the next six months
Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson said the Sunshine Coast business confidence survey is a great way to gain further understanding of the community sentiment.
"We know that heightened business confidence encourages more investment in jobs," Mayor Jamieson said.
"The Sunshine Coast continues to prosper, with more than $12.5 billion in public and private projects planned or underway across our healthy, smart, creative region.
"This year alone we have witnessed some significant milestones including the opening of Youi's $73 million global headquarters at Sippy Downs and a commitment to establish an international broadband submarine cable that will provide Australia's fastest data and telecommunications connection to Asia from mid-2020.
"We've seen the start of construction of the new international runway at the Sunshine Coast Airport; and further progress on the Maroochydore City Centre.
"Each of these commitments generate confidence in our region – confidence that encourages new investment, grows consumption, generates jobs and instils a sense of optimism about our future.
"The results of this business confidence survey indicate an ongoing positive business outlook, with business confidence remaining steady year on year with a very high percentage of businesses expecting profitability, staffing levels and capital investment to stay the same or grow.
"Locally, our business community is getting on with the job of doing what it does best and taking advantage of a generally positive operating environment."
Sunshine Coast Chamber Alliance chair Linda Delamotte said it was pleasing to see there was positive sentiment amongst the local business community.
"The survey provides an overall picture on what issues, constraints and opportunities exist now and into the future," Ms Delamotte said.
"The results provide valuable local information all businesses can use for their future planning and decision-making."
Mayor Jamieson said the feedback from this survey would help council to develop and implement strategies, policies and programs to support local business in 2019 and well into the future.
