Attachment 5 - Economic Needs Analysis

                                                     Rufous St Master Plan Commercial Development


The construction of the premises and related car parking would require a direct investment
estimated at $3.5million and a significant number of construction jobs.

The lettable space in the commercial building, if fully tenanted would result in an EFT of 50 persons.

There would be a range of indirect benefits to other businesses from the workforce


15      SOCIAL & COMMUNITY BENEFITS OF PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT
The project would offer a range of business and employment opportunities for residents of the
catchment not so much reliant on the Tourism or Construction cycles.

The adjoining Community House is likely to benefit from possible hire arrangements and the number
of persons exposed to its activities.

The car parking constructed for Stage 1 is in excess of the planning scheme requirements and would
be available for events such as the Peregian Markets and the Original which are generally held
outside of business hours.


16      CONCLUSION
The Peregian area is undergoing rapid population growth which is translating into a range of new
commercial investment. The proposed Digital Hub development compliments rather than competes
with this investment.


The Digital Hub builds upon the presence of a number of small to medium IT enterprises in the area
thereby enhancing and diversifying the local economic base and provides alternative employment
options to those normally associated with a coastal village..

The proposed development is small scale and is ideally situated to a highway location.

The availability of high speed broadband is a significant plus and as such the development provides
a platform for emerging local IT businesses to establish themselves and interact with other like
ventures.

The development of this type of business is strongly supported by all levels of government through
their innovation agendas and there is the possibility of attracting direct funding for the project.