STRATEGY 1: Effective Planning Effective Planning STRATEGY Local Governments through their role as advocate, facilitator, investigator, planner and service provider are able to use the tools of Local Government to implement and influence economic development. The following sections contain examples, explanations and learnings from a range of actions that council can undertake and how they can be incorporated into the various planning instruments available to them. They include the following: Urban Renewal Brisbane, 20 years Brisbane City Council, QLD Gateway Village Revitalisation Wodonga City Council, VIC Clarence River Way Project Clarence Valley Council, NSW A clear, consistent and coordinated approach to regional and local planning that is focussed on business and industry growth. EMBRACE INNOVATION EFFECTIVE PLANNING Economic Development Strategies SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS Effective planning provides a clear, consistent and strategic direction for Council and the community moving forward. This underpins all other strategies. Effective planning ensures regions have adequate land, labour, capital and infrastructure for business attraction and industry and community growth. FACILITATE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT ATTRACT NEW BUSINESS INVESTMENT Effective planning is achieved through: An in depth understanding of the region and its competitive advantages and disadvantages Identifying and prioritising opportunities Targeted outcomes and requirements Incorporating planning goals into budgets Allocating responsibility Clear timeframes Performance monitoring and communication. 19 www.ruralcouncilsvictoria.org.au
STRATEGY 2: Support Local Business Support Local Business Bendigo Inventor Awards Greater Bendigo City Council, VIC Creative Connections Gold Coast City Council, QLD Flavours of Campbelltown Food Trail Campbelltown Council, SA Historic Gulflander Train - Croydon Shire Council, QLD Upskilling the Cassowary Coast Transport Industry Sector Cassowary Coast Regional Council, QLD Support and assist the development, expansion and growth of existing local business. Local business support by councils can take many forms, and is largely dependent on the type and size of businesses targeted for assistance. Activities to support local businesses can include: Information provision e.g. through business resource centres, networking events and seminars, local business databases Capacity building Skills and labour force development Incentives Increase local business networks Removal of red tape streamlined process for development approvals and appropriate zoning Business incubators and clustering strategies Business Awards and support of Industry-based organisations Improvements in infrastructure Supporting the growth of local producers by increasing access to markets, or expanding the base for their product o Promotion and marketing of regional products o Festivals showcasing local products or industries o Lobbying Federal Government for trade deals in particular commodities o Fostering inter-regional trade agreements with other areas o Buy Local campaigns o Organising collectives of producers under a brand o Providing advice to exporters o Encouraging nodes of specific industries. Local businesses are the lifeblood of the local economy and have a marked impact on the economic strength of a region. Providing assistance and support for existing local business is an important way of building a more resilient economy, improving networks and generating greater business confidence. This can be of particular importance for small business or home-based enterprises. 20 www.ruralcouncilsvictoria.org.au
STRATEGY 3: Attract New Business Attract New business Clermont Preferred Futures Model Isaac Regional Council, QLD Makes Good Business Sense Campaign Salisbury City Council, SA Australian Marine Complex Landcorp, WA Businesses are attracted to local areas that offer positive and supportive local business environments, with competitive costs and efficient business start-up processes. Some of the activities that Local Government can undertake to attract new businesses include: Competitive pricing schedules for infrastructure and services Clear, consistent and appropriate planning, including: o Appropriate land zoning o Remove red tape and reducing wait time for development approvals Marketing and promoting the business advantages of the region Developing investor briefs Providing incentives for new developments Single point of entry, information provision and communication Providing a strong, positive first impression to interested businesses. Attracting new business and investment to the region. New businesses are an important source of new investment in communities. Attracting new business to a local area generates employment and increases the diversity and prosperity of the local economy. Attracting business investment to the area and achieving critical mass demonstrates a strong business environment and investment readiness, which can attract further business investment. 21 www.ruralcouncilsvictoria.org.au
STRATEGY 4: Facilitate Infrastructure Facilitate Infrastructure Hard Infrastructure Renewing Rhodes City of Canada Bay Council, NSW Rebuilding for the Future Lockyer Valley Regional Council, QLD Development of Rockingham City Centre Rockingham City Council, WA Charleville Dental Surgery Murweh Shire Council, QLD Charleville Cosmos Centre - Murweh Shire Council, QLD Soft Infrastructure Central Highlands Workforce Response Strategy Central Highlands Regional Council, QLD Regional Skills Attraction and Retention Project Mackay Whitsunday Regional Economic Development Corporation, QLD SHINE Department of Education and Training, Geraldton WA Facilitate and directly invest in hard and soft infrastructure. Direct investment stimulates the local economy and provides opportunities for employment. Facilitating investment (indirect) can also achieve these objectives through providing opportunities for the private sector. Strategically aligned infrastructure generates development that is in harmony with community values and enables a connected region. It has positive effects for local business and investment attraction by creating a business environment that is investment ready and improving efficiencies in service provision and business operation. in infrastructure is achieved by: Identifying a need and align it with the strategic vision and planning Developing a business case for the infrastructure Identifying and lobby funding sources Coordinating delivery. in infrastructure can involve the following actions: Hard Infrastructure Maintenance or upgrading of infrastructure e.g. transport, accommodation, telecommunications, buildings Build new facilities Facilitate innovative new uses for existing facilities Encourage local investors to consider the opportunities provided by the rejuvenation of older facilities e.g. through incentives Implement street-scaping and urban rejuvenation programs Obtain sponsorship or grants Audit of Council assets and buildings Changes to the planning scheme and material change of use approvals Develop commercial or industrial land. Soft Infrastructure Provision of training and mentorship in local education and training facilities Improve community networks and capacity. 22 www.ruralcouncilsvictoria.org.au
STRATEGY 5: Embrace Innovation Embrace Innovation The following actions can encourage innovation in the local economy: Incentives in research and development Provision of training and mentorship Encourage and support partnerships across industries and institutions in infrastructure. Central Queensland Innovative Built Environment Network Capricorn Enterprise, QLD ICT Initiative Walkatjurra Cultural Centre, Leonora, WA Discount Card Scheme Frankston City Council, VIC Advancing Technology as a tool for Construction, A Digital Economy Capacity Building Model Ipswich City Council, QLD Encourage innovative thinking and the adoption of new technology Encouraging innovation in has the following effects: Economic activity, new business and employment generation Efficiency improvements Partnerships Community capacity building. 23 www.ruralcouncilsvictoria.org.au