2025 FINALISTS AND WINNERS SHOWCASE
2025 FINALISTS AND WINNERS SHOWCASE
Economic Development Australia( EDA) is honoured to present the remarkable organisations and individuals demonstrating leadership and excellence in economic development.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC THINKING sponsored by Geografia
WINNER: City of Casey Department of Transition
The Department of Transition was established in response to the rapid development of AI and the potential risks and opportunities this presented for Casey’ s local economy. City of Casey’ s Economic Development Team recognised an urgent need to support the local business community in understanding and adapting to this seismic transformation, not only to remain competitive, but to position the region for leveraged growth over the coming years. The initiative sought to bridge gaps in knowledge, confidence, and capability, while also preparing the next generation through direct engagement with local schools. This future-focused strategy evolved into a region-wide masterplan for AI readiness, positioning the community not as passive observers of technological change, but as empowered, proactive participants in shaping the future of work, innovation and productivity.
economic scales, aligning local vibrancy with global competitiveness. Adopted unanimously by council and with broad industry-ownership, the strategy positions Sydney as a global leader in equitable, innovation-led economic transformation.
FINALIST: The Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations and SGS Economics and Planning The Victorian Traditional Owner Economic Development Roadmap The Victorian Traditional Owner Economic Development Roadmap was commissioned by the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations and developed with SGS Economics and Planning. The Roadmap is intended to support implementation of Yuma Yirramboi( Victoria’ s Aboriginal Employment and Economic Development Strategy), ongoing Treaty processes, and First Nations’ self-determination, by providing an evidence base for a policy shift towards a‘ First Nations, rights-based, economic self-determination’ approach to economic development.
Importantly, it acknowledges systemic failures of policy and legislation restricting and, in many cases, constraining the economic prosperity of Victoria’ s First Peoples. As such, the Roadmap sets out the current challenges faced by Traditional Owner Corporations before outlining the benefits that would arise if these challenges were addressed, and details the responses needed.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MARKETING AND PROMOTION
FINALIST: City of Sydney City of Sydney Economic Development Strategy 2025-35 The City of Sydney generates $ 142 billion in economic activity- 6 % of Australia’ s GDP. While the city has rebounded postpandemic, the Economic Development Strategy 2025 – 2035 looks beyond recovery to ask what kind of future economy is desired. It responds to systemic challenges – climate change, inequality, slowing productivity, and shifting urban behaviours – by setting a bold vision for a sustainable, inclusive, innovative, and experiential economy.
Data-led and informed by extensive stakeholder engagement, it applies a place-based approach across four interdependent
WINNER: City of Coffs Harbour
Coffs Coast Explorer App The Coffs Coast Explorer App was developed to better connect visitors with the region’ s unique offerings through a modern, mobilefriendly tourism marketing solution. Visitors were missing key experiences due to scattered or outdated information, while local businesses struggled to gain real-time visibility.
VOL 18 NO 3 2025 38 www. edaustralia. com. au