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State of the Region Conference
27 October 2007
Next week, the University of the Sunshine Coast, in a unique partnership with the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA), will be holding the third annual State of the Region Conference. Started in 2005 by the Faculty of Business to provide a forum to review current issues and trends facing our region, the State of the Region Conference has grown in size and stature each year. It is now the region’s premier regional forum.
The State of the Region Conference is not just for academics. Rather, it seeks to engage the wider community both on the Sunshine Coast and elsewhere on issues that really count. Last year, 70 percent of the delegates were from business, government, consulting firms and community groups. Also, a large number of delegates were key industry leaders from outside the region. This speaks a lot for how the Sunshine Coast is becoming an increasingly important region on the national stage.
With the three local governments being amalgamated to form one Sunshine Coast council, the theme of this year’s Conference is appropriately, “Revelations: The New Sunshine Coast.” Just what this new amalgamated Sunshine Coast will look like is the issue.
Addresses from business leaders like Daryl Somerville, CEO of Devine Housing and from government leaders such as Andrew Fraser the new State Treasurer, will be supported by research reports on demographic trends, housing affordability, the skills shortage and the impact of seniors. This program will ensure we gain a good idea of what lies ahead for the region and the actions that have to be taken. In addition, the conference will finish with the three current mayors discussing their views on the new Sunshine Coast.
The State of the Region Conference highlights USC’s strong desire to be regionally active with our local community and to promote our region across the nation. Significantly, sponsors this year include not only two important local organisations, Munro Thompson, a long standing legal firm, and CADET Training, but also two national firms, Parsons Brinckerhoff and INVESTA Property Group with strong regional commitments.
We believe the Sunshine Coast has something special. Our mission at the University is to make the region even better by having a regional anchor of learning and knowledge. The State of the Region Conference supplements our efforts further by providing a platform where issues can be highlighted, knowledge shared and solutions developed.
See you there on the 30 October.
Professor Greg Hill is Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Sunshine Coast.