2016-11-08 Services & Organisation Committee Agenda

 A SWOT analysis was conducted at the public workshop of 25 May 2015, which noted the following:



                                                                                               •   Lack of available land for employment and economic uses




                                                                             WEAKNESSES
STRENGTHS




              •   Strong existing brand
                                                                                               •   Inflexible/old planning scheme
              •   Existing tourism market
                                                                                               •   Insufficient broadband connectivity
              •   Strong community
                                                                                               •   Reliance on tourism
              •   Strength and quality of local business people/residents
                                                                                               •   ‘Unfriendly’ business environment




              •   Maintaining the strong brand (and protecting it)


                                                                             OPPORTUNITIES
                                                                                               •   Tourism (potentially expanding and diversifying the local
              •   Lost opportunities due to lack of broadband connectivity
                                                                                                   industry)
THREATS




              •   Increasing social inequality
                                                                                               •   Aged care/retirement living
              •   Inability to diversify the economy through high value
                                                                                               •   Creative industries and digital technologies
                  activities
                                                                                               •   Health and wellness
              •   Complacency
                                                                                               •   ITC and professional services




 The consultation process revealed that the community                            •           Ensure accountability - and thus clearly articulate
 wanted to see an innovative, sustainable economy aligned                                    goals for activities and who is responsible. It should be
 to the Noosa brand. At the same time, the community felt                                    clear in terms of what the Council’s role in economic
 it was important that the future economy:                                                   development is and what activities the Council will be
                                                                                             responsible for (and be held accountable for). Equally,
   •        be viable and include a range of profitable businesses
                                                                                             activities and roles of other organisations should
            and good jobs
                                                                                             be clarified and the same accountability measures
   •        be focused on high value-adding economic activities,                             applied.
            and
                                                                               A complexity in planning for community economic benefit
   •        have a more diversified economic structure.                        is engaging with and providing support for different age
 Furthermore, they identified the need for this Plan to:                       segments, for example youth, families and seniors and
                                                                               the transition from one to the other. Each segment has
   •        Provide clarity and certainty - the private sector must            different training and employment needs that should be
            be able to easily and quickly understand what the                  catered for.
            overall objectives are, aiding them to understand how
            best to participate.
   •        Focus on outcomes – with an emphasis on activities
            and actions as opposed to more discussion or further
            planning.



                                                                                                                       Noosa Shire | Local Economic Plan| Page 9