Sunshine Coast Sister Cities

What we are about ...

The Sunshine Coast Sister Cities Association supports the formal Sister City and Friendship City agreements which the Sunshine Coast Regional Council has in Japan, England, China, Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia. We are a voluntary organization made up of community members here on the Sunshine Coast. The range of activities supported by the Association is broad and includes educational, cultural and business exchanges which can provide mutual benefit to the parties involved. We encourage other local organizations to develop their links and through our network of contacts in the Sister Cities, we are able to provide assistance in the startup phase. Sister Cities internationally owes its origin to previous conflicts which have had dire consequences for those countries involved. It was considered that through the development of Sister City relationships, local communities such as the Sunshine Coast, would develop a better understanding of different cultures and the experiences which have shaped their history. There is a strong focus on youth and in encouraging young people to develop friendships overseas.

Our history in brief ...

In March 2008, the previous Local Government areas of Noosa, Caloundra and Maroochy were amalgamated and became the Sunshine Coast Regional Council. With that amalgamation, the Sister City Associations of Noosa and Maroochy also became one to maximize the potential benefit for the local community. The history of Sister Cities here on the Sunshine Coast dates back to 1991 when the Coast was first represented at the Australian Sister Cities Association Annual Conference. Since that time, various relationships at a Sister City and Friendship City level have been established and this website gives an overview of those relationships and what they can offer those involved with sister cities.

Role of the Association ...

Sister Cities Association is to act as an active connection between the Sunshine Coast regional Council and Council’s Sister and Friendship Cities. In acting as the community face to such relationships, the Sunshine Coast Sister Cities Association is entrusted with the responsibility to broaden community involvement benefit and participation in Sister City and Friendship City related events.

At a wider level, the Sunshine Coast Sister Cities Association should focus on the general benefits to the Sunshine Coast, which can be derived from a commitment to cross cultural awareness at all, levels across the local community.

The Association commits to work in close partnership with the Sunshine Coast Regional Council, to add value to Council’s various corporate activities and when needed, seek advice and guidance from Council.

The Sunshine Coast Sister Cities Association shall endeavour to focus on the following key interest areas in support of Sunshine Coast’s Regional Council’s objectives:


Cultural friendships and exchanges

Schools and youth exchanges and visits

Promotion and assistance in the support of visiting delegations

Promotion of the State’s educational training opportunities

Support for trade and economic opportunities


The Association shall not at any time enter into new Sister or Friendship City Agreements without the approval in writing of the Sunshine Coast Regional Council.

The Association warrants that at all times it shall act in the best interests of the Sunshine Coast community by encouraging and supporting actions and programs which seek to enhance the cultural diversity and cultural understanding of the wider region and our international relationships.