ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT QUARTERLY
of the submissions and this is a clear message that
we need to engage with our communities to deliver
outcomes that matter.
This edition of the Journal features the finalists and
winners across all award categories and I hope that
you find the entries just as compelling as the judging
panel did. The entries reflect the breadth and depth
of projects that are taking place in communities
across Australia and Tasmania under the banner of
economic development. These projects make great
case studies and present ideas and opportunities for
us all.
FROM OUR
OUTGOING CHAIR
On behalf of the Directors of Economic
Development Australia (EDA), welcome to the
November 2019 edition of the national EDA Journal.
The Board would like to thank all EDA members for
their continued support of EDA, the peak national
body for economic development professionals in
Australia.
I would like in particular to recognise Anna Wyllie
from Parkes Shire Council as the third recipient
of the Peter Chaffey Economic Development
Leadership Award and Shannon Little from
Latrobe City Council who received the Economic
Development Rising Start Leadership Award.
These are both peer reviewed awards and whilst
it is recognised that many people contribute to
outcomes, the importance of individual leadership
and influence as a driver for action and change
cannot be underestimated.
Congratulations to all those who made submissions
and we look forward to even more outstanding
submissions in 2020.
The National Economic Development Conference
(2019) was held last month. The theme of this
conference, ‘Digital Globalism, Digital Localism’,
reinforced the understanding that smart cities use
technology and data to drive economic activity,
accelerate innovation and better manage energy,
resources and services. But most importantly, smart
cities are people focused. Making a city smarter is
all about improving people’s experiences of the city
so that it better meets their needs. All of EDA’s activities are achieved via our volunteer
practitioner base and the Board acknowledges
the enthusiastic support and contribution of every
EDA member, all EDA State Practitioner Network
chairs and committee members, our dedicated staff
Jacqueline Brinkman (CEO) and Melissa Adams.
The conference showed that as understanding
and experience grows there is a more action-
orientated use of smart city initiatives involving
change supported by the private sector and all
tiers of government. Perhaps not surprisingly,
communication networks are regarded as the
background of smart cities. The partnership
between the City of Adelaide and TPG Telecom
to deliver 10 Gigabyte Adelaide emphasises the
importance of investing in infrastructure that creates
the conditions for business investment and growth. Finally, congratulations to our new EDA members.
The Board is delighted to welcome you to EDA and
very much looks forward to working with you.
My sincere thanks and great appreciation to each of
the current EDA directors for investing their valuable
time, significant effort, good will and support.
Thank you for your continuing EDA membership and
support.
Kind regards,
Mark Holdsworth ACEcD
Economic Development Australia
The conference included the presentation of
the National Awards for Excellence in Economic
Development and this year we received more
entries than ever before and they were all
incredible. Collaboration was featured in virtually all
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