Advancing economic growth in the shire

Growing employment opportunities, attracting new industries, and supporting existing business are key to the shire’s economic growth over the next decade.

Councillors endorsed Advancing Eurobodalla: Economic Development Strategy 2019-28 on Tuesday 30 April. Mayor Liz Innes said the document would help guide Council’s decisions with a ten-year program designed to forge a vibrant and diverse economy.

“Council works to boost the shire’s economy in many ways,” Clr Innes said.

“The community sees us taking the shire forward with big-ticket projects like the shellfish hatchery and the airport redevelopment, and helping businesses directly with initiatives like social media training. This plan requires we focus on integrating economic outcomes for all the planning we do.”

Clr Innes said the strategy was based on a thorough analysis of the shire’s current economic condition, local and global drivers of growth, and existing policies at local, state and national level.

“It’s a comprehensive plan with practical ways to stimulate our economy – everything from B-double heavy-vehicle access to pursuing relocation of government departments,” she said.

The Mayor said the document made clear that a successful and sustainable local economy required prioritising employment opportunities and infrastructure investment, attracting targeted industries and support of existing businesses.

“There are challenges and there are opportunities,” Clr Innes said.

She said the strategy had been developed by Council staff in consultation with business professionals from a wide-range of sectors, state and federal government representatives, and economic experts.

“We had a terrific response to an early draft back in 2017, with many submissions received. We took those on board and took the updated strategy back to the economic boffins and to business groups,” Clr Innes said.

“Our economic development strategy incorporates ideas from local-business stakeholders and the values regularly expressed by the broader community and combines them with the best possible evidence from economic indicators.

“This strategy targets the whole community, not just for Council. We’ve assigned actions for many stakeholders including business chambers, service providers, land owners, and NSW and Australian Government agencies.”

For more information, visit http://www.esc.nsw.gov.au/inside-council/community-and-future-planning/strategies/Economic-Development-Strategy