2021-12-13 GC Agenda - Item 9 - Attachment 1 - Draft Economic Development Strategy 2021-2030

Core elements of previous Noosa Council Economic Strategies that resonate with the
community have been retained in this strategy; including:

   •    The desire to strive towards a more diversified and resilient local economy focused
        on knowledge-based and high-value sectors of the economy i.e. “value, not volume”.
   •    Achieving growth in ‘smart’ industry sectors that have high economic value and at the
        same time have low environmental impact, where there is a competitive advantage.
   •    Being globally connected and with a particular focus on products and services that
        can be exported.
   •    An appreciation of, and strong commitment to maintaining and protecting the quality
        of our natural assets as an underlying driver for much of the investment and
        economic activity in the Shire

The world has changed since the last strategy was adopted in 2016 and there are a number
of factors that have a significant influence on the economic environment, now and into the
future: These factors present both opportunities and challenges to the resilience of our
economy and include:

   •    Rapidly changing technology (Industry 4.0)
   •    A highly mobile workforce
   •    The unpredictable nature of COVID-19
   •    The emerging challenges of talent, workforce availability and accommodation
        shortages.

The rate of change calls for an unwavering focus on initiatives dedicated to evolving
the Noosa economy to be sustainable and resilient, ready for any future.

This strategy aims to respond to the call to action in a targeted and innovative way.




 Definition of Economic Development

 “The sustainable increase of living standards that deliver higher incomes, better education, health and well-
 being 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.”

                                                      LGAQ Economic Development Guidelines 2020 handbook




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