Bronwyn Stevens, a long-term lecturer in politics at the University of Sunshine Coast, said the Sunshine Coast – where the LNP hold all seats in state and federal parliament except for independent Peter Wellington's seat of Nicklin - still felt "taken for granted" by conservative parties.

Fairfax Media asked the view of several Sunshine Coast observers as long-serving MP Peter Wellington decided not to continue after the next state election and former LNP backbencher Steve Dickson switched to One Nation.

"I mean the LNP didn't really bother to campaign at the last (state) election," Ms Stevens said.

"And Tim Nicholls is very Brisbane-centric; that is a very strong feeling," she said.

Mr Nicholls's office rejected the criticism and said he would spend time on the Sunshine Coast next week.

Mr Nicholls speaks next Wednesday, February 22, at the Sunshine Coast's LNP fundraising business luncheon at the Alexandra Headlands surf club.

"Mr Nicholls will discuss the path forward for Queensland and the role of the Sunshine Coast in that future," the $65 per person ticket invitation says.

A full table costs guests $630.

The Sunshine Coast's local paper, the Sunshine Coast Daily - among APN papers state-wide - on December 23, 2016, carried a story with the headline, Where's Timmy? Opposition Leader missing in action, based on comments from two un-named Opposition MPs.

Their comments that Mr Nicholls was "missing in action" in late 2016 were vigorously denied as "absolute rubbish" by LNP spokesmen.

A party spokesman confirmed that Mr Nicholls would be visiting the Sunshine Coast next week.

"He was there just a few weeks back and will be there again next week," the spokesman said.

"The LNP never take a single vote for granted and is the only party that can fix Labor's mess."

Ms Stevens said voters were very aware of the slow pace of Bruce Highway upgrades and the stalled rail projects between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.

She said the Sunshine Coast now had two large master-planned developments; Caloundra South's Aura development and Palmwoods' Harmony underway, but well away from long-promised, but never-progressed rail connections.

Ms Stevens – who was stuck in Brisbane to Sunshine Coast highway traffic on Friday - said infrastructure was still the number one priority for MPs on the Sunshine Coast.

"I think what the Sunshine Coast needs most is infrastructure; road and rail," she said.

"There is a very strong pro-rail group that lines up every election."

Ms Stevens however said she did not sense a mood for a pro-Labor swing in either Steve Dickson's seat of Buderim or Mr Wellington's seat of Nicklin at the next state election.

"I guess the question is, if Steve will actually hold his seat."

Ms Dickson said the low vote received by both Labor and The Greens made it unlikely they would challenge the LNP, particularly if the LNP exchanged preferences with One Nation.

One Nation candidates were "a fly in the ointment" on the Sunshine Coast, but no clear mood for change was yet emerging, she said.

She felt voters were very much aware of the disappointment of businessman Clive Palmer as an independent federal MP, outside the major political parties.

Caloundra Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Michael Shadforth said the Sunshine Coast business was looking for MPs who "represented the region", not individual cities, nor political parties.

Mr Shadforth said the soon-to-open $1.1 billion Sunshine Coast University Hospital was a good example of parties supporting an important regional project.

While the Labor Party had first raised the concept of the Sunshine Coast University Hospital, it was the LNP who had "bought funding forward" to get the project underway.

The hospital is now being finalised under the Labor state government.

"So they need to represent the region together, not just for themselves," he said.

Mr Shadforth said the Sunshine Coast business community had not yet formed an overall view of Mr Dickson's decision to leave the LNP and join One Nation.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the seat of Nicklin could attract another independent.

"I'm quite sure Labor will field a candidate there but who knows, there may be another independent candidate," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"Nicklin does have a very strong history of having a very strong independent.

"I think Peter's shown that an independent who has strong courage and convictions can hold a seat for two decades."

Ms Palaszczuk paid tribute to Mr Wellington, describing him as an "outstanding independent member of Parliament".

The Greens candidate for Nicklin, Aaron White from Kin Kin, praised Mr Wellington's integrity during his career.

Mr White repeated The Greens oft-mentioned election issue that both Labor, the LNP and One Nation accepted election donations from property developers.

Mr White said that had the potential to influence decision-making.

"We need to keep the pressure on for serious funding of the rail duplication to Nambour, and resolve the traffic issues caused by population increase under the South East Queensland Plan."