FROM THE CEO
Jacqueline Brinkman, Chief Executive Officer
I’ m pleased to present Volume 2 of Economic Development Australia’ s 2026 Journal. You will start to see some gradual changes as we continue to evolve this publication, which has been a much-read resource for the economic development profession for around 20 years. This edition introduces new, practical boxes featuring key tips and lessons from each author, giving our readers even more implementable insights to take back to their own city or region.
This edition also includes a wrap-up of the 2026 National Roadshow, which feels like an eternity ago! With the second year wrapped, this series of six events has quickly become a highly anticipated event for economic development practitioners, city and community leaders, urban planners, regional development professionals and others involved in shaping the future prosperity of Australia’ s cities and regions. We look forward to bringing the Roadshow to key cities again next year.
As always, this Journal provides some timely insights, and one of the most pertinent is the article by Shashi Karunanethy, Andreina Seijas and Dean Magee, which highlights how climate change is forcing economic developers and planners to challenge traditional assumptions around how a city operates. As the article eruditely illustrates, as temperatures rise, the peak times for basic economic and social participation are changing rapidly.
Linked to the climate theme, Lauren van Strijp’ s article provides highly translatable learnings from Bass Coast’ s experiences in implementing its successful Circular Economy Business Accelerator Program. This is a great example of a council committed to delivering practical solutions via a program that works directly with businesses to identify where waste could be reduced, materials reused, processes improved and new circular ideas tested.
EDA members recently visited the Brunswick Design and Innovation Centre( BRUDI) thanks to a VIC State Practitioner Network( SPN) Study Tour. Adam Trevaskus’ article shares the detail around this great example of local government taking bold action. His article reflects on the collaborative and ambitious vision of Merri-bek City Council and Impact Neighbourhoods to transform a council asset into a place for enterprise, innovation and local economic activity. This is a fantastic lesson in perseverance, trusting partners, evolving when circumstances change while remaining focused on the shared purpose and vision.
Investment attraction is another strong theme in this edition. Lucy Proctor and Sasha Lennon both offer practical insights into how places can better position themselves for investment. Sasha provides an implementable guide to developing a compelling investment attraction strategy, highlighting the importance of an evidence-based approach that targets investment needs and opportunities based on local comparative and competitive advantage.
Lucy provides an excellent case study of Lilydale’ s relationship-led, place-based approach through its Investment Blueprint, showing how local government can help create clearer pathways for investment without prescribing outcomes.
Finally, I encourage you to read the article by Andew Wear, which provides a preview of a report commissioned by Economic Development Australia to help us build a stronger understanding of how our local government leaders perceive economic development. The report is already providing fascinating insights and will deliver plenty of opportunity for EDA to continue to advocate for economic development to be considered integral to the prosperity, wellbeing and resilience of place.
I hope you enjoy this edition and find plenty of practical ideas and insights to take back to your own work. We are also looking forward to welcoming the economic development community to Hobart( Nipaluna) from 13 – 15 October for the National Economic Development Conference( NEDC26), under the theme Place to Prosperity: Innovation, Transition and Investment Attraction. It would be wonderful to see many of you there!
Jacqueline Brinkman GAICD Chief Executive Officer Economic Development Australia
VOL 19 NO 2 2026 04 www. edaustralia. com. au