Since its establishment , the Southern Rangelands Pastoral Alliance has formed partnerships with diverse organisations including State and Local Governments , grower groups , drought resilience and innovation hubs , technology companies and local communities .
With 2026 declared the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists , the Southern Rangelands Pastoral Alliance established a WA Committee to facilitate international resource sharing and knowledge exchange , providing a critical focus for discussions to collaborate internationally .
FINALIST : The Mallacoota Wilderness Collective Inc Working Model for Community-Led Economic Rejuvenation For many people , living in the far east Gippsland region means having to make sacrifices in terms of regular income , employment options , aspirations and wellbeing . The Black Summer bushfires of 2019 and 2020 , followed by COVID had a devastating impact , leaving the town without a sustainable economy and the majority of families relying on casual employment .
To combat these issues , The Wilderness Collective was established . The Wilderness Collective uses a community-led solution to tackle economic insecurity , so the community can live , work , inspire and thrive in this region .
They established a Centre for Innovation in the heart of town , making place-based change through local leadership and community-led programs that build upon entrepreneurial thinking . The collective are fostering social and economic rejuvenation through entrepreneurship , knowledge , and community connection to enable upskilling , new enterprises and a year-round economy for the community .
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES – REGIONS OVER 15,000 RESIDENTS
WINNER : City of Melbourne Mainstreaming Twilight Trade
Since the pandemic , there has been a notable increase in pedestrian activity in Melbourne , and there are now more consumers , workers and visitors in the city between the hours of 5pm and 7pm than between 8am and 10am . The project proposed extending trading hours to cater to this heightened demand .
These changes reflect broader shifts in retail patterns influenced by evolving work schedules , lifestyles , and demographics , which have been accelerated by the pandemic . This project underscores the need for collaboration across retail , hospitality , and events sectors to enhance consumer engagement and boost visitation during the transition from day to night economy .
FINALIST : Wyndham City Council Innovate Business Growth Program In 2023 and 2024 , there were over 32,000 GST-registered businesses in Wyndham with 90 % having fewer than five employees . Given the sheer number of businesses in this category , minor innovation and capacity increases can have a dramatic impact on the overall economic output of Wyndham , leading to the development of the Innovate Business Growth Program , aimed to enhance the capacity and innovation of local small and medium enterprises .
The program was split into two components : the ' Innovate to Excelerate ', targeting businesses operational from 12 months to 4 years and the ' Innovate to Regenerate ', targeting businesses who have operated for more than 4 years . This targeted approach encouraged and assisted businesses to maintain a constant culture of innovation and resilience .
FINALIST : Brisbane City Council Maker Program and Support for the Maker Sector Known for its vibrant , creative scene , Brisbane has a wealth of talent among its residents . In conjunction with the megatrend of digitalisation and the low barriers of entry into the sector , there has been an uptake in this talented community committing to entrepreneurial business ventures . However , many of these aspiring entrepreneurs lack the skills , resources , knowledge and network to capitalise on their creativity and transition these opportunities into a successful business .
As a result , The Maker Program and Support for the Maker Sector was initiated by Brisbane City Council to bridge the gap and stimulate economic growth , empowering these makers to better understand how to run and grow their creative business .
Mainstreaming Twilight Trade , a joint project by the City of Melbourne and the Australian Retailers Association , aims to encourage local retailers in the municipality to adjust their trading hours in response to changing consumer behaviour .
In alignment with Council ’ s broader strategy of becoming the most small-business friendly city in Australia , by nurturing local businesses , promoting economic diversity , and supporting innovation among small businesses , the delivery of the maker program is contributing to the competitive growth of the city .
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