New partnership drives Sunshine Coast research and growth

As the Sunshine Coast prepares for major growth, research and planning leaders are teaming up to maximise benefits to the community.

Sunshine Coast Council and University of the Sunshine Coast have today signed a Regional Partnership Agreement worth up to $1m to deliver measurable benefits for the community and help advance the Sunshine Coast’s vision to be Australia’s most sustainable region: connected, liveable and thriving.

It will support joint initiatives that create opportunities for students, strengthen local workforce capability, attract investment, advance research and innovation, and contribute to regional planning.

The partnership will also support collaboration on key priorities including Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games legacy opportunities, UNESCO Biosphere initiatives, campus activation, smart city projects and the long-term development of the Sippy Downs University Town precinct.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said UniSC was an important strategic partner, as an institution delivering world-class research and creating opportunity for many through education.

“We are partnering with UniSC today because of the clear value research and education bring to the people of the Sunshine Coast, and our shared commitment to helping the region thrive,” Mayor Natoli said.

“Council has long recognised the vital role education and research play in supporting economic resilience, fostering innovation and creating lasting opportunities for our community.

“This partnership will support local talent, strengthen innovation and help ensure our region is well placed to realise the benefits of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond.”

Mayor Natoli said partnerships like this were vital to the Sunshine Coast's ongoing prosperity.

“Our collaboration with UniSC spans innovation, environmental stewardship, major events, sport, culture and creating opportunities for the next generation, delivering lasting benefits for our community,” she said.

“For example, by continuing to work with UniSC on coastal monitoring and research for the second Coastal Health Report, we're building the knowledge needed to protect the natural assets that make the Sunshine Coast such a special place to live, work and visit, now and into the future.”

UniSC Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Helen Bartlett, said Council had outlined a clear vision for sustainability both on campus and across the wider Sunshine Coast, and the University was ready to contribute world-class expertise to the mission.

“With campuses located across three adjacent UNESCO biospheres, sustainability is an enormous focus for UniSC and the work that we’ve done with Council to date is because we share a commitment to preserving our natural environment," Professor Bartlett said.

“As a result of our last such project, Dr Silvia Tavares led a study on urban heat traps using mapping technologies to identify Sunshine Coast hot spots, to inform mitigation measures such as tree planting, improved roofing materials and future density planning.”

UniSC recently placed in the top 30 universities globally for Life on Land, Climate Action and Zero Hunger in the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Rankings, highlighting its ongoing commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

“Additionally, UniSC plays an important role in preparing a strong pipeline of talented graduates to join the local workforce, particularly across health, teaching and planning, while also supporting innovation that drives new industry,” Professor Bartlett said.

“UniSC also continues to build its leadership across sports excellence, and is eager to work with the Council to maximise opportunity from the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”