During the first Victorian lockdown , Surf Coast Shire Council set aside $ 1 million to help businesses and communities and launched its COVID-19 Recovery Assistance Grants Program .
The business sector was supported with various initiatives to inspire enterprises to reboot and reimagine the post pandemic landscape . Initiatives included tourism projects , marketing , networking , plus financial and mental health assistance . In March 2023 after 2.5 + years the program was closed and a report published sharing every success story of the 63 grants distributed in the program .
CATEGORY 7 : THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN EQUITY , DIVERSITY & INCLUSION EDA invited projects where the community ’ s cultural , religious , linguistic and ethnic diversity underpin the economic development initiative .
WINNER : Brimbank City Council Brimbank Investment Attraction Plan for Business Migrants with CALD background
This led to the successful formation of the first in-language Vietnamese Investment Migration program initiated and run by a local government in Australia . The Vietnamese market was the ideal target as it is the biggest culturally and linguistically diverse ( CALD ) community within Brimbank making up 17 % of the population with a strong business presence . This program provides a template for similar initiatives catering for investor migrants from other CALD backgrounds .
CATEGORY 8 : THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN - SUSTAINABLE INITIATIVES This award recognises best practice economic development initiatives delivering positive environmental and social outcomes . EDA invited submissions where circular economy and sustainability principles underpin economic development strategies and / or projects .
WINNER : Huon Valley Council Huon Valley Food Hub
regional economies that support locals to eat well , create more local jobs and increase economic activity .
The Huon Valley Hub addresses systemic challenges facing the community such as high rates of household food insecurity , workforce and skills shortages in the horticulture sector , and poor health outcomes . It provides the opportunity to improve collaboration and coordination , influence policy change and leverage increased demand for regionally grown produce .
Thanks to funding from the Tasmanian Government ’ s Healthy Tasmania fund , the Huon Valley Food Hub project will ‘ grow a vibrant and connected food system that contributes to the health , social , economic and environmental outcomes of the Huon Valley ’.
FINALIST : City of Boroondara , in partnership with City of Melbourne and City of Stonnington Go Full Circle Pilot Program The Go Full Circle training pilot program was initiated by the City of Boroondara in 2022 for local small to medium-sized businesses operating in main streets within hospitality , retail , or professional services to learn how to incorporate sustainability into their business and leverage the circular economy to drive stronger financial , environmental and social outcomes for their business .
As immigration borders reopened in 2022 , Brimbank Council identified an opportunity to take a tailored and proactive approach to attracting people to invest and start a new life in Brimbank .
The Council devised a new migrant investment and settlement support network , specifically aimed at non-English speaking migrants seeking permanent residency in Australia . The approach involved welcoming potential investor migrants , encouraging them to invest in local businesses , employ local people and recommend Brimbank to other investors .
External shocks and impacts including the COVID-19 pandemic and 2019 bushfire event demonstrated the direct need for and the importance of ensuring a robust , localised resilient food economy that supports and sustains community wellbeing from a health , social and economic perspective . Regional food hubs have been used internationally to build resilient
The first of its kind in Australia , the pilot helps businesses transition to a circular economy . The program ensured businesses meet customer expectations regarding environmental sustainability , as well as remained viable and relevant ahead of the state government ’ s ban on certain single use plastics . Co-designed and facilitated by Circular Economy Victoria , and partially funded by Sustainability Victoria , Boroondara partnered with the Cities of Melbourne and Stonnington to host the Go Full Circle program to 16 participants over eight weeks .
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