THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANTS POLICY REVIEW · Attachment 1 Review of Noosa Council Economic Development Grants Program

Appendices
i.      Reference Documents and Supporting Information
        -   Appendix 1:Economic Development Strategy – smart biosphere
        -   Appendix 2: Economic Development Grants Policy
        -   Appendix 3: Economic Development Grant Program Guidelines
        -   Appendix 4: Economic Grants Application Summary – 2018 -2022

        -   Noosa Economic Development Grants - General Information
        -   Grant Programs -State and Federal Governments


ii.     Comparative Analysis LGA Grant Programs
        The provision of a dedicated annual EDGP funding model by Noosa Shire Council is more of an
        LGA exception than the rule.

        Today, there are few LGA's across Australia that still provide grants to the business community,
        favouring instead, a more reactive approach by providing grant assistance to businesses in
        response to specific times of economic hardship, e.g., Global Financial Crisis 2009, Covid-19,
        Natural Disasters – flood, bushfire etc.

        Most Council's do offer financial assistance to their respective business communities but
        channelled through annual funding agreements or MOUs with local Chambers of Commerce or
        other Business Groups, conditional on alignment with and delivery of components of Council's
        Economic Development Strategy.

        This model and approach enable Councils to expend specific rates or levies imposed on local
        business communities across all industry sectors in an equitable distribution of funding to the
        benefit of all businesses.

        Other than administrative management by Council Officers, in real terms, there is no other
        financial cost (other than budgeted costs) for Noosa Shire Council to maintain its commitment
        to its EDGP.




      Noosa Shire Council | Economic Development Grant Program Review                                     14