Mapping the Sunshine Coast and Noosa Food and Agribusiness Ecosystem

The agrifood supply chain in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast and Noosa regions are facing a series of systemic barriers that limit the growth and resilience of local producers and manufacturers. Key challenges include limited access to funding and grants, complex regulatory compliance, inadequate local packaging and transportation infrastructure, and rising input costs, particularly in labour, energy, and materials. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) also struggle with regional cold storage shortages and a lack of skilled labour, creating significant supply chain bottlenecks and limiting scalability.

To address these challenges, a collaborative study was conducted by industry cluster the Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN), Future Food Systems CRC, and Queensland University of Technology (QUT). Using stakeholder interviews and an online survey, the research identified key pain points and developed targeted strategies to strengthen the agrifood ecosystem. Two primary recommendations emerged:

• Establish a shared logistics and transport network, coordinated by an intermediary like FAN, to enable SMEs to pool resources and reduce cold chain and transportation costs.
• Develop a centralised logistics hub in the Noosa region to streamline distribution, foster innovation, and support business collaboration and growth.

The study’s findings have laid a strong foundation for reshaping the region’s agrifood supply chain. The proposed logistics network and central hub could improve cold chain reliability, reduce operational costs, and increase regional market access for small producers. By supporting collaboration and resource sharing, these initiatives aim to make the sector more efficient, competitive, and responsive to changing market demands and external shocks like natural disasters or global supply disruptions.

Implementing the proposed strategies will be a significant step toward building a more resilient and interconnected agrifood system in the Sunshine Coast and Noosa regions. The shared logistics network and central hub could serve as a model for other regional food systems across Australia, promoting economic development, job creation, and long-term sustainability. Continued collaboration between industry bodies, government agencies, and research institutions will be essential to securing funding, ensuring adoption, and driving innovation within the regional agrifood sector. Mapping the Sunshine Coast and Noosa food and agribusiness ecosystem.