ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT QUARTERLY
organisation. Finally, the visitor guide and website are a part of the region’ s brand hierarchy and enhance the promotion of the region for economic and community development. The Southern Downs Regional Council’ s Economic Development Tourism Department has four goals, to increase the residential population, to increase the number of jobs, to increase investment and to increase visitors. The project will help to deliver these goals.
FINALIST
SUNSHINE COAST COUNCIL“ Be Prepared – A Guide for Business Continuity During Weather Events” involved in the Local Disaster Recovery Committee to assist in the economic recovery.
Working closely with the business community, leading up to the event the team were in contact several times a day, providing guidance and advice, updates on the situation reports, road closures but also collecting marketing intelligence and business affected by power outages from the business community through the Chambers of Commerce and the groups.
As a result of the support provided, it was identified that a significant portion of our local businesses have zero or minimal plans in place to ensure business continuity during and immediately following emergency weather events.
An opportunity for Council to equip, assist and support the business community during weather events was identified and, together with the Disaster Management Team, the publication Be Prepared- A guide for business continuity during weather events has been produced. The guide’ s purpose is to encourage businesses to review their operations and plan, prepare and manage risk and other implications during and after a weather event to avoid or reduce potential financial implications.
DIGITAL ENTREPRENEURS
WINNER
DAREBIN CITY COUNCIL“ Pitch IT”
Queensland is renowned for its warm sunny days, tropical climate, endless beaches and fun in the water. Unfortunately, severe weather events are also something that occur in Queensland.
A digital entrepreneurship and start-up accelerator program. The program aims to maximise and foster local innovation. It’ s a kick-start program with a‘ shark-tank competition’ element for digital businesses in the Darebin community. 40 entries were received from the Darebin community to help kick-start their business or pitch their idea for the next big thing in I. T. Applicants ranged from residents, university students, entrepreneurs, employees and businesses.
The Be Prepared“ A guide to business continuity during weather events was produced by Sunshine Coast Council in the aftermath of Ex Tropical Cyclone Debbie.
During the Ex Tropical Cyclone weather event in March / April 2017 that impacted and severely devastated much of South East Queensland, Council’ s Economic Development team were
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