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

-   Increasing choice and access to local education and training through the delivery of a
    collaborative, regional, future focused learning hub.
-   Adding value to local education and employment pathways through strengthened
    relationships with industry partners, an active career education ecosystem and clearly
    mapped pathway information and opportunities.
-   Developing strategic positioning and promoting the region as an education destination to
    foster talent and attract investment in education and training.
•   The Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN) is a not-for-profit industry led business
    cluster that fosters a dynamic and supportive ecosystem for its 350 members, currently
    encompassing Noosa, Sunshine Coast, Gympie and Moreton Bay LGAs.
    FAN has evolved into a leading Australian food and agribusiness ecosystem attracting
    significant government funding. FAN and its partners have created a strong ecosystem
    where industry, government and research collectively solve shared challenges and
    create new opportunities to unlock industry growth and enhance competitiveness. The
    organisation provides businesses across the food and agribusiness value chain the
    opportunity to ‘connect, collaborate and grow’.

Empowering Business Ecosystems
Strategy: Strengthen and deepen existing and emerging business ecosystems in
technology and future focused sectors, where a specialisation and competitive advantage
exists to drive sector and business development that delivers employment opportunities.

Headline Actions
•   Support the development of future focused business ecosystem through ecosystem
    organisation programs that provide a package of support which reflects the needs of
    the individual sector, builds industry capability and skills, provides assistance to sectors
    leaders, grows specialisations and drives industry development.
•   In collaboration with stakeholders, establish a Green Economy Industry Development
    Plan that supports ecosystem development, explores areas of competitive advantage
    and sector trends, and identifies regional expertise and opportunities for industry
    growth.
•   Link this Green Economy Development Plan, to other work across Council and with
    industry and community groups to support the delivery of outcomes attached to the
    Climate Change Adaptation Plan, emission’s reduction targets, Cities Power
    Partnership Mayors’ Economic Recovery Statement, and the aspiration to become a
    Smart Biosphere.
•   Continue to develop the FireTech Connect and Living Lab programs to drive talent
    attraction, research and industry collaboration.
•   Continue to facilitate the growth and reach of the Noosa Education & Training Alliance
    Inc. (education & training ecosystem), to develop education to industry programs, skill
    and career development opportunities, increased access to learning opportunities and
    the promotion of the industry and Noosa as a broad education destination.
•   Continue to work with industry and stakeholder groups in the food and agribusinesses
    sector to strengthen the ecosystem to connect and collectively solve shared challenges
    and realise opportunities to unlock industry growth, particularly in areas of competitive
    advantage that align with Smart biosphere i.e. regenerative and sustainable agriculture,
    growing local food networks, strengthening supply chains, circular economy initiatives.
•   Support the development of the Food & Agribusiness Networks dedicated FAN Noosa
    arm.