BEST PRACTICE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY: NATIONAL SURVEY RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
AGENDA Research Overview and Purpose Resources Dedicated to Economic Development Governance Structure for Economic Development Units Focus of Economic Development Units Best Practice
Research Overview and Purpose
DRIVERS FOR THE RESEARCH Build on previous benchmarking research in 2015 Lack of knowledge of resources dedicated to Economic Development Provide a better understanding of the various Governance structures Share learnings and approaches to Economic Development problems Assist in formulating Economic Development Strategy and approaches
RESEARCH PROGRAM Internet based survey Sent to all Economic Development Australia members Links posted using social media Australia wide Inclusion of tourism unit with Economic Development Conducted November- December 2017 Responses from 52 Local Governments across Aus
RESPONSES TYPE OF LGA STATE 20 18 14 Western Australia Tasmania 0 6 Northern Territory 0 South Australia 5 Queensland 4 Metropolitan Local Government Interface Local Government Regional Local Government NSW Victoria 6 26 Regional includes all Regional Shires and Cities Interface includes peri urban Results will not separated by State
Economic Development Unit Resources
TOTAL ECO- DEV STAFF RESOURCES - MEDIAN 6.4 6.3 4.4 4.1 1.9 2.9 2.5 2.0 3.4 Tourism Staff Economic Development Staff Total Metropolitan Local Government Interface Local Government Regional Local Government
STAFF RESOURCES OUTLIERS Four Metropolitan Local Governments had an equal low of 2 staff The largest Metropolitan Local Government has 8 staff The largest Regional Local Government had 12 staff The smallest Regional Local Government had 2 staff The largest Interface Local Government has 12 staff The smallest Interface Local Government has 2.7 staff
BUDGET MEDIAN [TYPE] $931,404 $627,054 $668,654 $774,765 $789,654 $432,316 $442,500 $200,000 $291,500 Tourism Budget Economic Development Budget Total Budget Metropolitan Interface Regional
TOTAL ECO-DEV BUDGET- MEDIAN [SIZE] $859,654 $750,000 $600,000 Large LGA (+140,000 Residents) Medium LGA (50,000-139,999 Residents) Small LGA (0-49,999 Residents)
BUDGET OUTLIERS The largest Metropolitan Local Government budget was $1.4 million The smallest Metropolitan Local Governments budget was $320,000 The largest Regional Local Government budget was $4.9 million The smallest Regional Local Government budget was $127,000 The largest Interface Local Government budget was $2.4 million The smallest Interface Local Government budget was $353,000
TOTAL ECO-DEV BUDGET- PER RESIDENT [TYPE] $12.35 $5.95 $5.0 Metropolitan Local Government Interface Local Government Rural Local Government
TOTAL ECO-DEV BUDGET - PER RESIDENT [SIZE] 30.0 25.0 25.7 20.0 15.0 10.0 5.0 5.1 7.1 0.0 Large LGA (+140,000 Residents) Medium LGA (50,000-139,999 Residents) Small LGA (0-49,999 Residents)
Focus and Direction for Economic Development Initiatives
PRIMARY ROLE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UNIT HIGHEST PRIORITY FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UNIT 50% 56% 55% 50% 50% 36% 30% 28% 29% 25% 28% 21% 0% 6% 0% Attracting new business and investment Supporting existing business (growth/sustainability) Improve standard of living for community (jobs, participation, infrastructure and services) Resident attraction Growing the visitor economy and tourism industry Metropolitan Regional Interface
CURRENT INITIATIVES EMPLOYMENT BY LGs Attracting New Business and Investment Meeting with prospectus businesses Provision of research and information to prospective businesses Working with planning unit Industry prospectus Marketing opportunities Supporting Existing Businesses Business training sessions Business networking sessions Industry newsletters Industry research Business mentoring Business incubator/centre Management of shopping strip special rates Business efficiency network Annual business awards Improving the Standard of Living (Jobs, Participation, Infrastructure) Job market facilitation Natural disaster recovery (floods, fire, storms) Skilled migration services Careers forums for students Economic and community asset development/refurbishment/management Growing the Visitor Economy Destination development Marketing and promotions Tourism promotion and tourism industry development Manage visitor information centre/s and online content Resident Attraction Promotion of location to new residents
AREAS OF DELIVERY/IMPROVEMENT WITH GREATER BUDGET Digital marketing, social media presence Business attraction program Improved investment facilitation Business incubator / innovation incubator/ business hub Improved engagement and networking Place making Mentoring Grants advisory Economic / industry tracking software Business relationship management (CRM)
INVESTMENT ATTRACTION Financial Incentives (e.g. grants, infrastructure concessions) 20% Other Areas of Focus Other (please specify) Planning system support (e.g streamlined planning process) Marketing and Promotions 33% 68% 73% Need to have a distribution network Council owned industrial subdivision Partnership with State Government Investment facilitation officer Multi departmental investment facilitation team Industry Investment Prospectus 85% Investor Engagement (i.e. proactively identify new opportunities and engaging with 88%
OTHER ISSUES FACING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UNITS A cross organisation approach to Economic Development is required (strategic planning, community development (planning) and ED working together) Greater recognition of the "slow burn" that is often necessary and the importance of external relationships in ED activities Economic Development is often too reactive, additional resources are required to be proactive Planning system blockages State Government have a lot of resources, but do not proactively work well with Local Government Too much time is consumed by retail businesses Set practical and achievable Strategies with KPIs and review constantly
DISCUSSION What are the main issues and constraints to economic development at your Council? Where should you best direct your resources to achieve the best bang for your buck with regard to growing the economy.
Governance
OTHER UNITS WITHIN DIRECTORATE METROPOLITAN REGIONAL INTERFACE Strategic Planning 45% 44% 21% Statutory Planning 35% 33% 21% Environment / Sustainability 35% 39% 7% Tourism / Visitor Economy 35% 39% 64% Events 25% 39% 36% Arts and Culture 20% 28% 21% Urban Design 20% 22% 7% Public Health 20% 6% 14% Communications 15% 6% 29% Community Development / Wellbeing 10% 11% 29% Engineering / Infrastructure /Transport 10% 0% 0% Corporate Services / Finance 5% 6% 14% Family / Youth / Elderly Services 5% 0% 7% Library Services 5% 6% 7% Sport / Recreation / Leisure 0% 0% 7% Parks / Open Space 0% 6% 0%
DISCUSSION Which Council units do you believe have a strong relationship with Economic Development? Does it matter where the Economic Development Unit is positioned within Council? What strategies should Council s consider for improving a whole of Council approach to Economic Development
Examples of Creativity and Best Practice
BUSINESS AND RESIDENT ATTRACTION: 360 REASONS WE LOVE NEWCASTLE Collaboration with several partners and State Government Branded campaign A 360 degree / VR visual experience highlighting the City to attract a lifestyle change business attraction Supporting information https://360newcastle.com/
SUPPORTING EXISTING BUSINESSES: BENDIGO BUSINESS HELP DESK Online help desk Easy to access information and links to support business Chat request https://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/services/business/business-help-desk
SUPPORTING EXISTING BUSINESSES : CITY HEART SHOPFRONT IMPROVEMENT FUND A total pool of $150,000 2 Year Program Encourage and facilitate shop owners, operators and landlords to improve their buildings through façade upgrades, thereby improving their presentation to the street. $1:$1 matching grants up to $3,000 for shopfront improvements $1:$1 matching grants up to $3,000 for internal all abilities access improvements within private buildings http://www.wodonga.vic.gov.au/about-us/latest-projects/images/city-heart-fund-brochure-lr.pdf
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: RETAINING WORKERS: BATHURST JOBS EXPO 50 Exhibitors 2100 Attendees Promotes local/regional job pathways Promotes local job/ regional opportunities http://bathurstbusinesshub.com.au/event/2017-bathurst-jobs-expo/
DESTINATION DEVELOPMENT: MELTON VISITOR ECONOMY APP Draws live information from Council s business database Provides a presence for Melton s retail, accommodation and food businesses Promoted to residents for VFR https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/melton-city-much-more/id1313125866?mt=8
DISCUSSION What have been the effective/creative actions your Council has delivered in addressing: Business/ investment attraction Supporting existing businesses Improving standard of living jobs and infrastructure Resident attraction Growing the visitor economy
Urban Enterprise Urban Planning / Land Economics / Tourism Planning / Industry Software www.urbanenterprise.com.au