2015-03-31 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                                    31 MARCH 2015


Economic Development
9                          LOCAL ECONOMIC PLAN
DOCUMENT INFORM AT ION




Author                                 Senior Economic Development Officer, Carolyn Bullen
                                       Executive Office

Index                                  ECM / Economic Development / Local Economic Plan

Attachments                            1.   Local Economic Plan - Project Plan


EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Not applicable.

RECOMMENDATION
That Council note the report by the Senior Economic Development Officer to the Planning &
Organisation Committee Meeting dated 31 March 2015 and:
A.                         Agree to the development of a Noosa Shire Local Economic Plan;
B.                         Undertake a community engagement process to develop the Noosa Shire Local Economic
                           Plan as proposed in Attachment 1;
C.                         Appoint Councillor <*****> as a member of the Project Focus Group; and
D.                         Authorise the Chief Executive Officer to appoint the members of the Project Focus Group
                           after consulting with the Mayor and Councillors.



REPORT
The purpose of this report is to outline a process to develop a Local Economic Plan for Noosa
Shire (see Attachment 1), and seek Council’s agreement to undertake that process.

Council recognises the need to include a Local Economic Plan among its suite of key policy
documents and Council’s Corporate Plan includes as a priority, the diversification of our local
economy with an emphasis on ‘smart economy” and rural futures, while recognising our world
class tourism industry.

1.                         Background
While there is no clearly defined legislative requirement for Councils to have an Economic Plan,
the function of economic development has matured to become a key task that is integral to the
operation of local government and a task that requires a consistent commitment. Following the
high economic growth period of the early to mid-2000’s and the global financial crisis of 2009,
there is a new level of awareness and expectation within communities in regard to the economy
and economic growth.

The Local Government Association of Queensland’s definition of economic development is
applicable. It defines economic development as the:

                         “Sustainable increase of living standards that delivers higher incomes, better education,
                         health and wellbeing as well as environmental protection resulting from conscious and
                         applied effort. At its core economic development is about improving the quality of life
                         experienced in your community”.

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