Building off the strengths and aspirations of the community they have identified six goals that will help them transition to " A thriving economy that serves the wellbeing of people , place , and the environment ."
By prioritising quality of life and environmental sustainability , they have defined a path that focuses on making their economy and community more resilient , responsive , and future-ready , so that it can continuously thrive and adapt into the future .
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - SUSTAINABLE INITIATIVES & ENERGY TRANSITION
WINNER : Superyard Online Redistributing Building Materials for Community Impact
FINALIST : City of Swan Accessible Swan Businesses Following a comprehensive gap-analyses to identify best practice initiatives and investigate local business needs , City of Swan identified an opportunity to support their businesses to improve their access and inclusion . It was recognised that by making business premises more accessible , and welcoming customers through positive interactions , businesses would increase their customer base .
City of Swan developed Accessible Swan Businesses , featuring a resource which assists businesses in understanding the benefits of improving access and inclusion and a guide to identify barriers and improve accessibility for those with disability .
The project also includes a recognition program that allows customers to easily identify accessible and inclusive businesses through an online mapping service , building an inclusive community whilst assisting local businesses to increase profitability .
FINALIST : Banyule City Council Banyule ' s Inclusive Employment Program The Inclusive Employment Program was developed to address localised unemployment among some community groups in Banyule .
In response to identified pockets of disadvantage , Banyule Council created The Inclusive Employment Program ; a six-month initiative , offering local residents paid job opportunities with Council , tailored to individual interests , goals , strengths , and abilities . Participants also engaged in structured learning and received extensive support and career coaching , aiming to enhance core work skills , social networks , and overall employability while improving the diversity and performance of the Council ' s workforce . Of the 80 residents who completed this innovative and highly successful program , 84 % moved on to further employment , education , or training .
The Superyard marketplace was originally created to encourage and promote the reuse of building materials , with specific innovations for the building sector . In recognition that many community organisations and charities find it difficult to procure and source materials for building repairs and structural work , Superyard ’ s marketplace platform became a conduit for provision of free materials to community organisations , thus lessening their financial burden and reducing waste and landfill .
Superyard partnered with the Victorian Racing Council , and a major film production company for two separate initiatives in Victoria and New South Wales . Both initiatives resulted in 30,000 kgs of building materials distributed to charities and community organisations that would have found it time consuming and costly to source required materials on their own .
This diversion from landfill is only the beginning of a redistribution model that can unlock thousands of tonnes of unused materials that are still in good condition and can be repurposed for the good of countless communities all over Australia .
FINALIST : Regional Development Australia Gold Coast Sustainable Gold Coast Program The Sustainable Gold Coast Program supports businesses in transitioning to a circular and net positive economy and showcases local businesses that have pivoted towards new and innovative opportunities .
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT JOURNAL VOL 17 NO 3 2024 35