Sunshine Coast Regional Council eNews
June 2009
SMALL BUSINESS WORKSHOPS
Innovation – How it helps your business today!
Presented by Trevor Holmes
How does innovation help your business today? This presentation will look at how doing things differently in your business can help you be more efficient, productive and profitable. Join Trevor Holmes, Managing Director of Enact Business Architects, in this hands on workshop, where participants will work on innovations in their business practices that can reap business benefits immediately.
Tuesday 23 June 2009, 5.30pm
Where: Noosa Blue Resort, 16 Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads
Cost: $15.00 (incl GST)
Visit our website to register now
Sunshine Coast Enterprises are also holding a number of workshops from June to December. For more information visit our website.
In this month's edition:
'Good ideas that turned into great businesses’ with Sunrise breakfast show's Dr Keith Suter
One of the world’s great thinkers and communicator’s Dr Keith Suter will be guest speaker at council’s first Big Breakfast for Small Business on 29 July at the Australis Noosa Lakes Resort.
A foremost speaker on global issues, highly regarded social commentator and broadcaster Dr Keith Suter is well-known across Australia in his role of foreign affairs editor for Channel 7’s “Sunrise” breakfast show, as well as foreign policy analyst for Sky TV and Radio 4BC Brisbane.
Talking on the topic of ideas, Dr Suter will talk about businesses that turned simple ideas into great businesses. Dr Suter will discuss three strategies to develop great ideas, including the notion of blue ocean strategies”
“A great example of blue ocean strategies are Cirque de Soleil for reinventing the circus without animals, and Starbucks – who took a low cost luxury to high end consumers.”
“Henry Ford invented mass produced, inexpensive cars rather than going up against high-end competitors Rolls-Royce and Mercedes”, Dr Suter said.
At the Big Breakfast for Small Business, the audience will be treated to Dr Suter’s unique ability of explaining complex stories in the simplest way.
Big Breakfast for Small Business is part of council’s Business Sunshine Coast series, design to provide a strong network of contacts and to encourage trade and information sharing along with access to the services provided by government agencies, council and Business Sunshine Coast sponsors.
When: 7.00am, Wednesday 29 July 2009
Where: Australis Noosa Lakes Resort, 3 Hilton Terrace, Tewantin.
Cost: $44.00 or $400 for a table of 10, includes breakfast
Visit our website to register now
Sunshine Coast Excellence in Business Awards 2009
Nominations are now open for the Sunshine Coast Excellence in Business Awards 2009. The business awards are the largest single business event for the Sunshine Coast and have a proud and prestigious history. Now in their 15th year the Awards are designed to congratulate and encourage businesses and business people that excel at what they do - take the time to tell someone you think they’re doing a great job by nominating them or their business or nominate yourself – it only takes a minute! Nominations can be made on line at the Maroochydore Chamber of Commerce website or by calling the chamber office on 5443 5661.
This year’s business categories are: Innovation, Building/Manufacturing, Retail, Professional Services, Business Services, Lifestyle Services, Hospitality, Tourism and each have a large and small grouping.
Individual categories are: Outstanding Employee of the Year and Outstanding Business Person of the Year. Do you have an employee that really stands out or know of one - nominate them too.
Entries close on 31 July and judging will take place mid August to mid September. Judging is done over three levels, written, personal interview and for businesses a mystery shopping component. Each section is judged by different judges to maintain impartiality. The scores are added together and the winners of each category are determined by the business with the highest score and from these winners the Small Business of the Year and Enterprise of the Year will be identified.
Sunshine Coast Business Expo 2009

The Sunshine Coast Business Expo will provide a one stop shop for businesses in the region, showcasing the latest cutting edge products and services, valuable networking and educational opportunities and a wealth of information to help support businesses to gain a competitive edge.
The Expo program has been designed to help business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs take their enterprises to new heights with a focus on dynamic speakers with ‘hot topics’.
High profile key note speakers include Bernard Salt, who is a leading commentator, economist and advisor to corporate Australia.
For expressions of interest for trade booths, becoming a sponsor or as an attendee, visit the website or email: businessexpo@maroochy.org
Caloundra Music Festival Community Forums
Council is seeking your ideas, interest and participation in helping to make the Caloundra Music Festival even more engaging, community focused and successful! Based in Kings Beach, the festival is fast becoming a showcase for the whole Sunshine Coast region and community.
You are invited to attend one of four regional community forums in June to develop ideas, partnerships and outcomes for local communities within the festival.
Anticipated Outcomes
• Gather your ideas about how to build upon the great community outcomes from the first two festivals
• Gather your ideas for projects, programs and activities at the festival
• Showcase the festival organisers ideas for projects and programs at the festival
• Link community organisations, schools, groups, businesses
• Share information about applying for council grants to help you get involved in the festival
Who should come?
Community Groups, School Students, Teachers, School Parents & Friends, Organisations, Individuals, Businesses, Artists, Musicians, Performers
CALOUNDRA - Monday 22 June 2009, 5 - 7pm
Mad Fish Restaurant
36 The Esplanade Kings Beach
TEWANTIN - Tuesday 23 June 2009, 5pm - 7pm
River Deck Restaurant on Noosa Marina
Shop 1B, Noosa Marina 2 Parkyn Court Tewantin
MAROOCHYDORE - Wednesday 24 June 2009, 5pm-7pm
Key Bar
20/24 Ocean St, Maroochydore
MALENY - Thursday 25 June 2009, 5pm-7pm
The Up Front Club
31 Maple St, Maleny
Each venue is available for dinner following the meeting - we would encourage you to stick around and enjoy the company of other creative individuals!
RSVP is essential - please contact Danielle Danter on danielle.danter@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au or 07 5441 8655. Please also let us know if you intend to stay to purchase dinner.
More than 200 submissions help to revitalise Maroochydore

The Sunshine Coast Regional Council has endorsed the Maroochydore Centre Position Paper (May 2009) at a Special Meeting of Council held on 26 May 2009.
The position paper, which will be used to inform future planning in the Maroochydore centre, includes changes which respond to issues raised during the community consultation period held from 27 January to 10 March 2009.
The Maroochy Centre Position Paper has agreed on a 10 storey upper limit with graduated reductions to six and four storeys around the periphery towards the surrounding residential communities.
The new Maroochydore includes provision for an arts complex including a 1300 seat theatre, a main library and community centre. Access to these and other civic buildings and facilities will be achieved through dedicated public transport corridors and a major public transport interchange. A shuttle service will move people around an internal loop.
The significant additional open spaces will enhance the ambience expected in a coastal community. The plan includes walkable waterfronts, active street frontages and pedestrian priority streets and bridges. Open spaces will be connected by walkways and cycle ways, making Maroochydore a very well connected centre.
The Maroochydore Centre Position Paper, a strategic planning document, will now inform the drafting of planning scheme amendments to the Maroochy Plan 2000. The Maroochy Plan 2000 planning scheme relates to the former Maroochy local government area.
Some of changes include amendment to the precincts to more closely align with desired land use outcomes, measures to address road and traffic concerns, the widening of green buffers adjoining residential development and the expansion of the pedestrian and cycle network to provide extensive linkages thoughout Maroochydore.
Council anticipates that the proposed planning scheme amendments will be substantially progressed by December 2009.
Visit a council office near you to peruse the Maroochydore Centre Position Paper (May 2009) and preamble or visit council’s website to download a copy.
Tougher Times Smarter Business - Small Business Clinics
Small businesses on the Sunshine Coast are increasingly more exposed to the impacts of the current economic climate. In response to this, Sunshine Coast Enterprises, and economic development initative of council, has initiated the Business Clinics program to support small businesses on the Sunshine Coast to maintain and strengthen their business ‘health’.
The Business Clinics offers a checklist service followed by a one hour free session where a ‘prescription’ may be given by a legal or financial professional.
What are you doing to ensure that your business is sustainable? Where do you start?
This free service is offered to discuss issues surrounding your business capability specifically on:
- Finance
- Banking structures
- Accounting or legal issues
Clinics will be run from June to December:
Every 3rd Thursday of the month, starting 18th June Caloundra Chamber of Commerce
Every 4th Thursday of the month, starting 25th June Hinterland Business Centre, Maleny
Limited sessions are available, contact us now to reserve your place.
Please note that you will be required to complete an initial questionnaire so that we can match you with the appropriate professional advisor. After which an interview will be arranged, all interviews remain confidential and SCE will not be privy to your discussions.
For more information contact:
Wayne Brooks
Tel: 07 5493 6211
ask@scenterprises.com.au
Clean, Green and Profitable - Business Sustainability Seminar
People realise they need to reduce their energy, water and waste needs in their businesses, but often don’t know where to start. Speakers at this seminar will
provide practical information on how to adopt environmentally-conscious and sustainable business practices.
Clean, Green and Profitable - Business Sustainability Seminar
Tuesday 23 June 2009
9:00am -12:00pm
Petrie Gardens Function Centre, 246 Petrie Creek Road, Nambour
There is no cost to attend the seminar and a light lunch will be provided afterwards.
Registration is essential for catering purposes. RSVP via email to robyn.white@dtrdi.qld.gov.au or phone 07 5437 1300.
For more information, download the flyer [PDF 104KB].
Don't miss the 2009 Queensland Home and Garden Expo

The 2009 Queensland Home Garden Expo will be held on 10-12 July 2009. The annual three day Home Garden Expo has been held at the Nambour Showgrounds since 1984 and has grown into one of the country’s top garden expos, attracting more than 20,000 garden lovers each year.
Celebrating 25 years of gardening magic the 2009 Queensland Home Garden Expo invites both gardening enthusiasts and novices to be inspired by the fantastic displays and get first hand information on how to transform your backyard. A tropical resort style garden, a waterwise garden, or a sustainable garden that provides fresh produce for the family, or a combination of all them, is easily achievable with the expert advice and information available at the expo.
The expo features tantalizing offerings from more than 360 exhibitors – the latest in garden tools, pots, books, accessories, garden art and more.
Five live stages hosting lectures, demos and workshops will offer free expert advice and information all day every day, whilst plant exhibitors will have nearly 40,000 plants for sale daily.
Special exhibits include the Giant Kitchen Garden featuring permaculture and organic gardening, landscape display gardens, major Floral Art competitions, a special kids at play area and large displays from Queensland’s Garden Clubs and Flora Societies.
With the expenditure for visitors, exhibitors and support personnel for last year’s event reaching $7.37 million, the expos play a crucial role in boosting tourism and strengthening the local economy.
For more information about the expo including being an exhibitor, visit the Queensland Home and Garden Expo website.
The Premier of Queensland Export Awards
Small, large, regional and metropolitan... Queensland exporters come in all shapes and sizes. The Premier of Queensland's Export Awards recognise business' global achievement.
2009 marks the 20th anniversary of the Premier of Queensland's Export Awards. These awards are open to all Queensland exporters and are Queensland's highest recognition of export achievement. The awards provide a showcase for Queensland's top exporters, and a means to promote them as role models, encouraging others to strive for success in world markets.
For more information and to apply, visit the Export Awards website.
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