ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT QUARTERLY
•
Long-term funding for initiatives - consider %
for capital works as a revenue raising option for
partially or fully funding such a project over the
long term
CONCLUSION
Rural, regional and remote locations are unique,
complex and a significant part of Australian identity
defined in part by history and landscape. Many
regions are now adversely affected by shifts in local
economies and populations. Cultural activities and
projects can re-define such locations in new and
positive ways, providing both residents and visitors
with a strong sense of a community’s unique identity. 5
Governments looking to revitalise communities
via investment in the creative industries would be
well-placed by investigating the cluster model of
economic development as a structure for engaging
with the creative industries.
Industry clusters know no geographic boundaries
as imposed by council boundary lines – therefore
connecting with neighbouring LGAs in developing
partnerships and pooling resources to invest in
industry development may prove beneficial, plus
provide broader reach and impact for any projects
undertaken to develop the sector.
Leveraging a region’s competitive advantage and
turning it into action and prosperity are a long term
game, and regions around Australia looking for
opportunities to renew their economies through the
promotion of creative industries and cultural tourism
may benefit from investing in place based branding
of their local creative industries.
BMEE was approached by representatives of the
creative industries in the Blue Mountains to create
a brand that represented the region, and shifted
the perception of the Blue Mountains. Successful
outcomes have stemmed from continuous and deep
engagement with the community and industry and
responding to their needs.
Creating an eco-system for your creative professionals
allows for cross-pollination, collaboration, fresh ideas
and new ways of thinking that didn’t exist before and
can transform your local community in measurable
and also immeasurable ways.
4. Source: ELEVATE: how Creative Industries can be a lever for
economic development, 2019
5. Source: Focus on Film – Blue Mountains Region Film Commission
Needs Assessment, 2018
Resources:
View the MTNS MADE video here.
View the MTNS MADE Showreel here.
About BMEE: Blue Mountains Economic
Enterprise (BMEE) is the peak regional economic
development organisation for the Blue Mountains.
BMEE’s mission is to stimulate economic
development in the Blue Mountains through
advocacy, investment and industry development,
consistent with our competitive advantages. BMEE
is a not-for-profit organisation and receives funding
from Blue Mountains City Council (BMCC).
Acknowledgements: As a recipient of Economic
Development Australia’s Overseas Study Tour
scholarship, Ann Niddrie, Creative Industries
Cluster Manager at Blue Mountains Economic
Enterprise was able to explore the opportunities
for the creative industries, particularly in the film
and TV sector and artisanal makers sectors, in
Los Angeles and Portland, USA, and Aarhus
and Copenhagen, Denmark. Ann would like
to thank Economic Development Australia for
the opportunity to participate, learn and share
this research. Many thanks to Blue Mountains
Economic Enterprise who also contributed funding
towards the tour, and to the various professionals
in both the USA and Denmark who contributed
their time and experience towards these learnings.
All images except where stated are courtesy
of Ann Niddrie and Blue Mountains Economic
Enterprise.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ann Niddrie is the Creative Industries Cluster Manager at
Blue Mountains Economic Enterprise. Ann facilitates business
connections within the Creative Industries and delivers a range
of programs to help Blue Mountains creative professionals
collaborate and grow via the Blue Mountains Creative
Industries Cluster. Ann has recently delivered the third edition
of the MTNS MADE Broadsheet and campaign, and expansion
of the retail component of the MTNS MADE brand. Ann is
passionate about finding innovative solutions to problems and
furthering development of the creative industries in the Blue
Mountains and beyond.
REFERENCES
1. Source: UK Department of Culture, Media and Sport
2. Source: Infrastructure NSW Cultural Infrastructure Strategy, 2016
3. Source: Blue Mountains Creative Industries Profile Issue 2: 2018
VOL.12 NO.3 2019 | 11