EDA Journal EDAJ VOL12 NO 3 | Page 21

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT QUARTERLY FINALIST CITY OF WANNEROO Discover Wanneroo Trails App The City of Wanneroo is one of the fastest growing communities in Western Australia. This rapidly growing population requires access to active and passive recreation opportunities. Well planned, developed and maintained trails play a significant role in providing recreational and tourism opportunities for residents and visitors. The Discover Wanneroo mobile app was developed to activate existing trails and points of interest by delivering rich content to a wide target market, increasing the capacity to educate, enlighten and enrich the experience. The App has already been recognised in a WA Local Government Association article on ‘Child’s Play in WA’, citing the innovative use of digital technology to facilitate the community getting back to nature. The project also received a commendation in the WA Heritage Awards for Heritage Practices by a local government. www.wanneroo.wa.gov.au/ www.discoverwanneroo.com.au/about/app/ ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RISING STAR LEADERSHIP This award recognises outstanding achievement by a young, emerging leader in the economic development profession. WINNER SHANNAN LITTLE Latrobe City Council Shannan is currently the Coordinator of Economic Development at Latrobe City Council, Board Director at Latrobe Valley Enterprises, active committee member on EDA’s Victorian SPN and founding committee member of the Gippsland Forestry Hub initiative. Over the past five years Shannan has developed his understanding and skill set to be an effective economic development practitioner and leader in the field. Often taking the lead on significant projects that encompass neighbouring municipalities, Shannan has gained the trust and respect of colleagues across the State. Shannan is passionate about economic development and the impact it can have in the community. Shannan has also led a number of Gippsland wide initiatives, working with and leading the 6 Gippsland Councils on projects that benefit from a collaborative approach. The Gippsland Small Business Festival is an initiative where Shannan has taken the lead for a number of years to coordinate the Festival across all of Gippsland. Shannan also led and Project Managed Startup Gippsland, a cohesive array of initiatives to encourage and support the startup ecosystem. FINALIST KARLY SIVEWRIGHT Griffith City Council Karly has been an employee of Griffith City Council since 2017 and most recently, has taken on the role of Economic Development Coordinator. In the short time Karly has held this role she has completely re-energised the role of Economic Development at Council and in the broader community of the city of Griffith. With her depth of knowledge as a Certified Practicing Accountant, Karly has applied her financial acumen for the benefit of resident business customers and for new and potential investors in Griffith. Fortunately for Council, Karly is also able to combine her financial skills with a high level of creativity which is essential when formulating marketing programs designed to attract and encourage investment in Griffith. Previously, Karly held the position of Events Coordinator and through this role and the events she produced, developed many connections with community members and organisations which have positively impacted the liveability of Griffith and boosted the Griffith economy while doing so. PETER CHAFFEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LEADERSHIP AWARD Peter Chaffey was the recipient of the economic development agent of change award in 2017 and sadly passed away shortly after. Peter was a true economic development leader and it is EDA’s VOL.12 NO.3 2019 | 21