Listening, collaborating and delivering for our community now, while carefully shaping the future of our region. Your Council has never worked harder.
Sunshine Coast Council's 2024-25 Annual Report reflects a renewed focus on engaging with the community, responding to local priorities and ensuring Council's work continues to align with the values of the people it serves.
The report, adopted at Council's November Ordinary Meeting, highlights the programs, people and actions that have made a difference over the past financial year, as Council works to support a connected, thriving and liveable region.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the latest Annual Report demonstrated Council's commitment to staying aligned with community values and focused on delivering practical outcomes.
"This report is more than a summary of achievements - it's a reflection of how we're listening to our community and taking action on the things that matter most," Mayor Natoli said.
"We've taken time to reflect, to listen more deeply and to ensure our priorities are aligned with the values and aspirations of our residents."
The report outlines our performance in delivering Council's Corporate Plan goals, our legislative obligations and financial information.
Snapshot of key outcomes from the past financial year
- A unique affordable housing project at Marcoola for key workers
- $5.6 million in community grants across more than 1,152 projects
- $152 million in external funding secured for infrastructure and economic development
- The acquisition of 141 hectares of land enhancing environmental values
- Major events delivering $106 million in economic return.
"We are a strong, united and innovative Council with a shared commitment to listening to our community, caring for our environment and delivering outcomes - for current and future generations," Mayor Natoli said.
Our regional strategies are helping shape a region that has a strong community, is economically resilient, environmentally responsible, connected and liveable for generations to come.
Community Strategy
Council is proud of the work our community does to achieve our shared vision of a strong, connected community, where together we thrive.
Key highlights included:
- completing the refreshed Community Strategy and new Action Plan 2024-2029
- making our community stronger and more inclusive through projects like the Shine a Light on Racism campaign, the Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan and the Lived Experience Inclusion Project - Street Up
- hosting the Sunshine Coast Youth Forum, in collaboration with the Young Leaders Academy
- the MadeSC creative development program
- opening places that bring our community together, like the Namba Meeting Place and a new pump track in Buderim, and completion of the $14 million Kawana Aquatic Centre upgrade.
Environment and Liveability Strategy
Council is passionate about nurturing and enhancing our region's natural environment and quality of life.
In 2024-25, key actions that delivered a healthier environment and more liveable Sunshine Coast included:
- securing more than 200 hectares of land for conservation and recreation
- completing critical coastal planning and projects that improved resilience while providing spaces for our communities to enjoy
- sharing the 2024 Biodiversity Report
- encouraging citizen science with events like the first Sunshine Coast Marine Bioblitz
- planning for cascading climate hazards with Noosa Council and key infrastructure providers.
Regional Economic Development Strategy
The Sunshine Coast continues to thrive as one of Australia's most desirable regions to live, work, play and learn. With community at the heart of every decision, Council is proud to support a dynamic and resilient economy that reflects the aspirations of our residents and businesses.
Key highlights included:
- achieving $26.33 billion in Gross Regional Product and progressing well towards the 2033 goal of a $33 billion economy
- supporting 112,393 employment opportunities in high-value industries
- providing 8,450 specialist advice services to small businesses across the region
- delivering 35 key events in Nambour, Mooloolaba and Caloundra, attracting more than 58,800 community members
- launching the Resilient Business Series to help businesses prepare for disruptions and providing targeted support to more than 100 businesses during Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred
- generating 914 new Investment Attraction leads, contributing an estimated $161.49 million in economic impact (direct and indirect) and 564 jobs to the Sunshine Coast.
Levy contributions supporting key initiatives
Levy contributions from the community play a vital role in supporting key initiatives and delivering meaningful outcomes. Levy contributions have supported the following:
- The Environment Levy funded the acquisition of an additional 141 hectares of land, including extensions to East Mt Mellum Nature Refuge, Annie Hehir Road Environment Reserve and Upper Coochin Hills Environment Reserve: Rupari Hill Section.
- The Arts and Heritage Levy supported a range of programs across the region including providing funding of $450,000 to 26 arts and heritage groups and events.
- The Transport Levy continues to fund important projects to support the region's transport needs today, and into the future. There has been a focus on trialing new bus services, improving the safety for our most vulnerable pedestrians, reducing our reliance on cars through our ThinkChange and trial RideScore Active Schools programs, and increasing connectivity and accessibility to bus stops across the Sunshine Coast.
The full 2024-25 Annual Report can be viewed on Council's website. Regional strategies can also be viewed on Councils' website.
