'Coast council not doing enough for developers'

PREMIER Campbell Newman has criticised the Sunshine Coast Council for not doing enough to encourage development

Campbell Newman - wants to see more development on the Coast. Picture: Mara Pattison-Sowden

PREMIER Campbell Newman has criticised the Sunshine Coast Council for not doing enough to encourage development, saying property developers had told him it was "difficult" dealing with the local body.

Mr Newman said it was with the "greatest respect" he advised the council to "get on and deliver" for the Sunshine Coast, adding he didn't believe it was keeping pace with the Gold Coast, or northern Queensland regions in terms of recovery.

He said his government had "provided the tools" for councils, but "not enough is being done".

"I made that very clear to the deputy mayor yesterday in a forthright and frank matter and to the chief executive officer of the council," Mr Newman said.

"The Gold Coast is going well too. Cairns is going well, the Whitsundays are going well.

"The next major centre in this state that really should be firing on all cylinders right now, with the revival of tourism, and particularly the property sector, should be the Sunshine Coast,'' Mr Newman said.

More on this story at Brisbanetimes.com.au

The comments come despite concerted efforts by the Sunshine Coast council to attract development and create jobs in the region.

Mayor Mark Jamieson was elected on a pro-development platform.

But the council and the State Government have clashed over plans for major development at Halls Creek by development giant Stockland.

Mr Jamieson has recently travelled to Asia to seek investment in the region, particularly the Maroochydore CBD.

Originally published as 'Coast council not doing enough for developers'