QHA Review August 2017

NEWS
NEWS
COAST CELEBRATES
50 YEARS OF SUNSHINE
Expanding its international airport, plans for major
new hotels and tourism attractions and blueprints for
new town centres are all part of the Sunshine Coast’s
commitment to growth as it celebrates the 50th
anniversary of its official name. Until 1 August 1967,
the region was known as the “Near North Coast”,
reflecting its proximity to Brisbane.
However, with the region’s rapid growth in population
and tourism, the Maroochydore, Noosa and
Landsborough shires all wanted a more enticing
identity - and the “Sunshine Coast” was born.
The origin of the name was summed up at the time by
a tourism official, Mr R.M. O’Loughlin, who remarked
that: “This area had something that could not be
bought for gold: that was glorious sunshine”.
Today the Sunshine Coast is Queensland’s fastest
growing tourism destination with a population of
300,000 that’s forecast to expand to over 500,000
by 2031.
The region has its own university and the Sunshine
Coast Airport was recently designated an international
airport, with a major extension and upgrade underway
to enable it to attract an even wider range of domestic
and international flights.
A series of anniversary events over the next five
months include concerts, the largest ever Horizons
Arts Festival, a poetry trail, sand sculpture festival
and a special commemorative exhibition retracing the
region’s development.
Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson said
the 50-year milestone allowed the region to celebrate
SUNSHINE COAST COUNCIL MAYOR MARK
JAMIESON SAID THE 50-YEAR MILESTONE
ALLOWED THE REGION TO CELEBRATE ITS UNIQUE
IDENTITY BY SHOWCASING THE PAST, PRESENT
AND FUTURE
its unique identity by showcasing the past, present
and future.
“The exciting program of events, which will be held
from August to December, will appeal to a broad range
of ages and interests.”
Visit Sunshine Coast CEO, Simon Latchford, said
that it was remarkable to look back and see how the
region had developed as one of Australia’s premier
tourist destinations.
“The Sunshine Coast has always concentrated on
showcasing its diversity: we are far more than just
Sunshine and Coast, with our distinctive natural
attractions, such as the Hinterland and Glass House
Mountains, complementing our beautiful coastal
attractions,” he said.
“We invite the whole of Australia and the rest of
the world to join us in the celebrations. Everyone
is welcome.”
Full details of the anniversary celebrations can be
found at www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/fifty.
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