Councils that work to establish and promote a regulatory and land use planning environment that is open , engaging and supportive of business opportunity will do well to support positive local economic development outcomes .
Councils can also influence a sense of place and the functioning of local towns and centres through master planning , development control , place activation and urban improvement programs , all of which serve to enhance a location ’ s liveability and investment appeal .
Figure 2 . A Council ’ s ‘ Core ’ Economic Development Support Activity Areas
1 . Preparing for Prosperity :
Research and Information Brokerage , Planning and Place Management
2 . Enabling Prosperity :
Infrastructure and Service Provision
Lismore City Council in northern NSW for example , through its ‘ Shaping the Lismore CBD ’ project , has committed to the implementation of four placebased investment initiatives which were identified and developed through technical analysis ( including economic analysis ) and the facilitation of an Enquiry By Design process with local stakeholders . A suite of solutions were built around catalysing investment in projects and programs that aim to reinvigorate the Lismore CBD . Using cost-benefit analysis principles , the project identified priority investment proposals to catalyse the CBD ’ s revitalisation .
Councils that work to establish and promote a regulatory and land use planning environment that is open , engaging and supportive of business opportunity will do well to support positive local economic development outcomes .
Enabling Prosperity - Infrastructure and Service Provision Councils can ensure that the fundamentals for investment attraction and economic development are addressed by planning for and providing local infrastructure and services within their remit . This includes , for example , identifying and prioritising local infrastructure needs including ‘ lifestyle ’ infrastructure such as sport and recreation facilities and cultural infrastructure including museums , libraries and art galleries .
3 . Encouraging Prosperity :
Industry Support and Investment Attraction
At a broader level , local government can collaborate with regional stakeholders including regional development bodies , government agencies and infrastructure managers to ensure that the needs and aspirations of industry and the community are addressed by planning for and providing regionally-significant infrastructure in an informed , planned and co-ordinated manner .
This includes , for example , education and training infrastructure and research and innovation infrastructure , that is , the facilities , resources and services used by researchers , educators , the science community and industry to conduct research and foster business innovation . The smart hub co-working space known as ‘ DaSH ’ in Lake Macquarie , NSW , and which has the support of Lake Macquarie City Council through its economic development company Dantia , is a great example of how local Councils can pro-actively bring together start-ups , small businesses and corporates to foster innovation through collaboration .
Encouraging Prosperity - Investment Attraction and Business Support Investment is fundamental to economic development , and access to markets is a
4 . Promoting Prosperity :
Economic Development Advocacy and Partnerships
© SC Lennon & Associates
key determinant of long-term economic growth . Local government can facilitate investment by promoting what the local area or region concerned offers prospective investors in a strategic and targeted fashion . It can pro-actively promote the region ’ s ‘ tourism offer ’ as well as plan for and prioritise local infrastructure investment through an informed approach to destination management .
There are numerous examples of good investment prospectus materials produced and promoted by local government authorities . One of the more eye-catching I ’ ve seen in the past year or two is the ‘ Open for Business ’ campaign by Gunnedah Shire Council in New South Wales . Another , which is driven by the collaborative efforts of the Mackay , Isaac and Whitsunday Regional Councils in Queensland , is the multi-faceted ‘ Strong for Generations ’ promotional program developed through the Greater Whitsunday Alliance ( GW3 ).
GW3 , which is an is an independent , regional economic development body that represents and advocates for the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region , and is funded by the three regional councils along with project and grant funding , takes a strategic and informed approach to developing a range of projects and programs
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