ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT QUARTERLY
THE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES
AS A LEVER FOR ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
THE OPPORTUNITIES AND PITFALLS OF PLACE-BASED
CREATIVE INDUSTRIES BRANDIN
BY ANN NIDDRIE
INTRODUCTION
In this article we delve into the possibilities that exist
for Governments looking to revitalise communities
via investment in the creative industries through
place-based branding projects such as MTNS
MADE.
MTNS MADE was commissioned by Blue
Mountains Economic Enterprise (BMEE), the peak
regional economic development organisation for
the Blue Mountains. BMEE responds to the local
community’s needs for economic development,
diversification and sustainability. In 2013 BMEE
launched the Creative Industries Cluster to facilitate
growth and collaboration in the sector.
The importance of a diverse economy has been
a priority for the organisation, and this was further
reinforced after the 2013 bushfires’ impact on the
local tourism market. At this time, MTNS MADE was
being developed in response to industry calling for
an initiative to raise the standards and expectations
of the creative professionals in the Blue Mountains,
and to join the local creative community under
a uniting philosophy to promote their skills to
businesses in the Greater Sydney region.
WHY FOCUS ON THE CREATIVE
INDUSTRIES?
In 2001, the UK Department of Culture, Media and
Sport defined the Creative Industries as ‘those
industries which have their origin in individual
creativity, skill and talent, and those that have the
potential for wealth and job creation through the
generation and exploitation of intellectual property.” 1
While there is no official definition of Creative
Industries in Australia, various State Government
and organisations are developing definitions.
The Creative Industry sector is one of the most
dynamic sectors of the Australian and New
South Wales economies, encompassing cultural
production industries such as the arts, libraries and
media production, and creative service industries
such as advertising, digital services and design.
The New South Wales Government recognises the
importance of the Creative Industries sector for the
State economy which accounts for 4.7 percent of
total employment and 6.8 percent of the state’s total
services export. 2
Although challenging to quantify, when creative
industries are leveraged for cultural and economic
development, they have the capacity to revitalise
local spaces and stimulate local economies.
With the expansion of Sydney to the West, and
the impending Western Sydney airport - the peri-
urban centres such as Wollongong, the Blue
Mountains and the Central Coast and Hunter Valley
will become increasingly important in housing the
increasing population and supporting the creative
and cultural vibrancy of the inner city of Sydney.
THE BLUE MOUNTAINS IS A CREATIVE
INDUSTRIES HOTSPOT
The Blue Mountains has long been recognised
as a creative hub and was named the inaugural
‘City of the Arts’ in 1998. For the Blue Mountains,
VOL.12 NO.3 2019 | 6