The announcement today by the Prime Minister that he supports the development of a City Deal for south east Queensland (SEQ) has been welcomed by council.
Speaking from Canberra where he is meeting with Federal Members and Ministers, Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson said the SEQ City Deal would be the largest in Australia and once negotiated and agreed, would provide a clear blueprint for the future productivity and liveability of the region.
“Through Sunshine Coast Council’s membership of the Council of Mayors South East Queensland (COMSEQ) we have been working on securing a City Deal for SEQ for over five years,” Mayor Jamieson said.
“With the support of the Queensland Government and now the positive response from the Prime Minister, we are confident that we will now be able to achieve an historic tripartite agreement that will have significant benefit for the 3.5 million people that live in SEQ today and the 5.1 million people who will live here by 2041.
“This is an opportunity for the three tiers of government to form a long-term partnership – irrespective of politics – to achieve a strong future for SEQ, home to one in seven Australians.
“I met with the Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack earlier today and I thanked him for the Federal Government’s commitment to work on negotiating the SEQ City Deal.”
Earlier today, the Deputy Premier Jackie Trad and the Chair of COMSEQ, Lord Mayor of Brisbane Graham Quirk, released the Transforming SEQ document, which presents a framework for the SEQ City Deal and the opportunities which the Queensland Government and the SEQ councils believe will put connectivity, liveability and jobs first.
“While the details of what will ultimately be included in the SEQ City Deal are still to be negotiated, there are some great opportunities here for the Sunshine Coast, given the focus on achieving a 45 minute region and capitalising on the international broadband submarine cable to deliver a Digital Trade Hub,” Mayor Jamieson said.
“Certainly our desire to achieve a fast rail solution linking Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast – which has been strongly supported by Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien and our council – is something that I believe will feature prominently in those negotiations.
“Furthermore, the opportunities to enhance the growth of many of our high value industries – particularly our agribusiness sector and professional services – through the development of a leading Digital Trade Hub, are also part of what we would like to see advanced in the SEQ City Deal.
“Most importantly however, is what a City Deal will mean for all communities in the SEQ region.
“As our region continues to grow and as we respond to the opportunities and challenges that come with that growth, a City Deal will instil a high degree of confidence in our communities and encourage further employment generating investment from the private sector.”
