Sunshine Coast business leader, Sandy Zubrinich, calls on state government to boost housing supply

A Sunshine Coast business leader has called for reduced fees for developers, stronger commitments on public transport and the release of land for more houses as the state government election race heats up.

Sunshine Coast Business Council chair, Sandy Zubrinich, calls on state government to unlock more housing.

A Sunshine Coast business leader has called for reduced fees for developers, stronger commitments on public transport and the release of land for more houses in the lead-up to the state government election.

Sunshine Coast Business Council chairwoman Sandy Zubrinich has revealed the key projects she would like to see the state government support, largely addressing the region’s housing crisis.

“We are living with the consequences of housing affordability, housing availability, lack of housing supply, lack of land supply, increasing building and development costs, a lack of skilled labour and sadly, as a result, increasing homelessness in our region,” Ms Zubrinich said.

Aerial photos of the new housing development at Aura, Sunshine Coast.

Ms Zubrinich said the Sunshine Coast, along with the rest of the state, was falling behind on housing targets.

“Queensland’s target under the national accord is 49,000 new homes with only 32,800 new dwellings approved in the 2023/24 financial year, 34 per cent below the state target,” Ms Zubrinich said.

“The situation on the Sunshine Coast is a similar story, with dwelling approvals tracking at 3100 for last financial year against a regional target of 3900 dwellings. This is the lowest number since 2015.”

An artist's impression of the Sunshine Coast Direct Rail Line, which could cover 37km and feature seven stations. Picture: TMR.

To address the supply issue, Ms Zubrinich said she would like to see Yandina, Bli Bli, Beerwah East and Halls Creek unlocked by the state government as key areas to develop.

A reduction in the fees and taxes charged to developers would also be a welcome move according to Ms Zubrinich, as the region’s population continues to grow.

“We don’t control the population, we’ve got population targets and anybody who comes to region deserves the right to a home,” Ms Zubrinich said.

“At the basis of all of this, the governments haven’t done their job properly.

“The pressure needs to be on the state government to get houses built.”

Ms Zubrinich also highlighted the need for the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line to reach Maroochydore by 2032, rather than the scaled-back Caloundra target set by the state government earlier this year.

Ms Zubronich said the delivery of the Mooloolah River Interchange would be another project she’d hope the next elected state government commits to.

Originally published as Sunshine Coast business leader, Sandy Zubrinich, calls on state government to boost housing supply