Gallery: ‘Nambour is going gangbusters’: leaders back town’s momentum
Close to 100 local business owners, managers and representatives turned out to the September 3 Coffee Catch Up at the Nambour Cinema.
A NEW confidence is building around Nambour, with Queensland Treasurer David Janetzki joining local political and business leaders in declaring the town is gaining momentum despite some headwinds.
Speaking to a packed Nambour Chamber of Commerce breakfast at the Nambour Cinema and Event Centre on September 3, Mr Janetzki said he had been struck by the optimism in the room. “To have a business community that’s so confident and upbeat about the future is really positive,” he said. “Confidence breeds its own momentum.”
The Treasurer’s comments echoed MC Jody Chatillon, who opened the event by declaring “Nambour is going gangbusters”.
“I think some people kind of forget that we are here, but the fact that you’ve all come out this morning is absolutely a positive sign that Nambour is thriving,” she said.
Event sponsor and Nicklin MP Marty Hunt used exactly the same phrase, pointing to investment including the Police Beat, CCTV upgrades, road projects, the Nambour Place Plan and the new $27 million Mother and Baby Unit planned for Nambour Hospital.
“There’s a lot going on in Nambour,” Mr Hunt said. “Nambour is going gangbusters.”
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the change in sentiment had not happened overnight. “This community, this business community, is thriving, is positive,” she said. “That momentum that we have here in Nambour, it takes time.”
Cr Natoli said council investment through the Nambour Place Plan was combining with growing private-sector confidence.
She acknowledged Nambour could still get “a bit of a bad rap” because of perceptions of its main street, but said that failed to recognise the broader strength of its businesses. “This community of business is not the main street,” she said. “Look at all of you and what you’re doing.”
The Mayor said the approaching 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games would bring major infrastructure investment to the Sunshine Coast, but the important measure would be what remained afterwards. “It’s not about the Games. It is about the legacy,” she said.
Mr Janetzki said the opportunities extended well beyond 2032. “I do think we stand on the precipice of extraordinary opportunity,” he said.
With significant growth, infrastructure investment and increasing interest in the Sunshine Coast, the Treasurer said local businesses would be central to capitalising on that opportunity. “There’s a reason why people want to come to the Sunshine Coast,” he said. “It’s beautiful, in proximity to Brisbane, and business opportunity everywhere.”
