More than 90 community and environment groups have been successful in council’s latest grant funding programs.

Thanks to the Community Partnership Program, 70 not-for-profit community organisations will be granted $572,794 to help meet their operational expenses this financial year. Plus the Environment Levy Partnerships Program is providing 24 organisations, which help enhance and protect the region’s biodiversity and waterways, with $550,000 towards their operational expenses for up to three years. 

Another three Council grants are open for applications right now but be quick as they are closing soon:

1. Artists can apply for a Regional Arts Development Fund grant, which offers funding towards concept, skills and career development.
2. For not-for-profit community organisations, with projects benefiting the community, there are Community Grants.
3. Environment Levy Grants are available to not-for-profit groups who make a positive contribution to the region’s biodiversity and waterways.

Jump onto Council's website for further details.

The community is invited to join Mayor Jamieson at the gala opening and winner announcement of the Sunshine Coast Art Prize at Caloundra Regional Gallery on Wednesday, 27 August from 6pm to 9pm.

The exhibition of work from the 40 finalists is on display from 27 August to 26 October and showcases artworks across disciplines such as print, photography, painting and mixed media for a powerful and vibrant show.

The winner of the Award receives a $15,000 cash prize and an Artist in Residence placement. A non-acquisitive Highly Commended prize will also be awarded to the value of $2500.

There will be a chance to own original works of art at the Sunshine Coast Art Prize Auction on Sunday, 26 October. You can also get involved by voting in the People’s Choice award for your favourite artwork.

For full details on the Sunshine Coast Art Prize 2014 visit Council’s gallery website.

Council is hosting a range of free and low-cost workshops and forums as part of 2014 Queensland Small Business Week from 1 to 6 September.

If you’re a small business owner or manager, or if you’re thinking about starting a business, these workshops will help you learn to develop your business goals, understand business management systems and government tendering processes. The events also provide great networking opportunities.

Visit Council’s website for details and to register.

The adoption of the Sunshine Coast Libraries Plan 2014-2024 is a vital step towards ensuring Council can progress its delivery of a contemporary library service in a targeted and efficient way over the next 10 years.

Sunshine Coast Libraries are one of Council’s most visible, highly utilised and valued services to the community, with 90% of surveyed library users indicating a high satisfaction with their library service.

However, we need to ensure that our community continues to have equitable access to library facilities in a way that meets their changing needs, and within a strategic framework of what a contemporary library looks like today.

The Library Plan clearly articulates the library’s future role of not only providing information but of enabling the community to learn how to access information and knowledge independently.

The Sunshine Coast Libraries Plan 2014-2024 is available for viewing on Council’s website.

A plan for six of the region’s key performance and community venues adopted by Sunshine Coast Council will provide a long term direction for these important facilities. 

The Sunshine Coast Performance and Community Venues Service Plan 2014-2029 will shape the future of six of Council’s key performance and community venues over the next 15 years. The six venues include:

• the Events Centre Caloundra
• Nambour Civic Centre
• Lake Kawana Community Centre
• Coolum Civic Centre
• Kawana Community Hall
• Beerwah and District Community Hall.

The Plan confirms Council’s continued commitment to its six key performance and community venues into the future. These venues provide a platform for the community to gather and participate in a range of activities and events, while also supporting arts and cultural development for the region. Visit Council's website to view the Sunshine Coast Performance and Community Venues Service Plan 2014-2029, and for more information.

Mayor Mark Jamieson invites Sunshine Coast businesses that export internationally or are considering export, to attend an Export Networking Forum and the launch of Council’s Export and Global Capability Program on Monday 25 August at 4.30pm.

Hear from renowned keynote speaker Tim Harcourt, former Chief Economist of the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) about how the recently announced Australia – Japan Free Trade Agreement is expected to benefit the Sunshine Coast. Tim is an active commentator in Australian and international media on economic and trade issues, and teaches International Business at UNSW with a focus on Asia and Latin America. Also hear from Sue Joseph, Managing Director of Bassett Barks about how exporting has benefited her business.

Seats are filling fast, so register now to meet other export-orientated businesses and a network of people actively providing support, advice and services to the export sector.

Do you travel between Maleny, Montville, Flaxton, Mapleton and Nambour? The Hinterland Connect trial bus service has been extended to 26 June 2015.

The service operates from Maleny to Nambour station, Monday to Friday, and will now have better connection times with trains.

This service is part-funded by your Transport Levy.

Read more about the Hinterland Connect service on Council's website.

Business Events Sunshine Coast (BESC) is the convention bureau for the Sunshine Coast. BESC’s role is to promote the Sunshine Coast as a viable destination for conferences, meetings and incentive programs. A reported $60 million dollars is generated from the 50,000-plus delegates travelling to the Sunshine Coast annually.

With our proximity to Brisbane, the G20 later this year will provide an excellent opportunity to showcase the Sunshine Coast region, not only for potential business investment but as an attractive and safe destination for international visitors.

In addition, our BESC team has been working in collaboration with Brisbane Marketing and Tourism and Events Queensland to offer pre and post touring packages and options for G20 participants. To date, this work has directly resulted in the region securing one international conference post G20 with 120 delegates, 360 room nights and a conservative economic value of $156,000.

For more information, visit the BESC website.

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