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

Summary Section
This Summary Section is designed as a stand-alone piece that provides a high level summary of
Economic Development Strategy.

 This Economic Development Strategy clarifies the aims, objectives and outcomes
 sought locally within the context of environmental stewardship. It will guide the effort
 of Council and particularly the Economic Development team whose work seeks to
 heighten the profile of economic issues, support appropriate business growth, scope
 out sustainable development opportunities, and nurture conditions conducive to
 business success in Noosa Shire


Noosa Council’s vision is “Noosa: different by nature”.

Historically, the Noosa community has chosen a different path to many other areas from an
environmental conservation and destination management perspective and today we are realising
the benefits.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) recognised
Noosa’s values and approach to sustainability, when it designated the Shire and our coastal waters
as a Biosphere® Reserve under the Man and the Biosphere Program in 2007. Noosa Council has
strategic oversight of the Biosphere and supports the Noosa Biosphere Reserve® Foundation in its
undertaking of significant innovative conservation and economic sustainability projects.

People visit and fall in love with Noosa’s pristine beaches, national parks, lack of city symbols,
open spaces, low scale development, the connection between the built and natural environment,
UNESCO Biosphere status, the high level of services offered by local businesses and the lifestyle
that these elements enable.

Noosa has overtime attracted an agglomeration of skilled and talented people - entrepreneurs,
remote workers, investors and a myriad of leading edge experts forging development in their field
of technical expertise. COVID-19 has accelerated this. The result is a spike in inward migration
from capital cities (particularly Melbourne and Sydney), to safe lifestyle orientated regional areas
such as Noosa.

In the absence of population driven economic growth and an unwavering commitment to thoughtful
management of our destination for locals and visitors, Noosa is focused on developing the means
to generate economic activity that supports higher export of goods and services and/or the
replacement of imports, is sustainable and low environmental impact and is future focussed.

Technology has had a significant impact on the Noosa economy over the past 20 years and will
continue to. Additionally the impacts of Covid-19 are expected to have a significant influence on
the economic environment now, and into the future.

Council is committed to pursuing a robust, diverse and resilient local economy that recognises the
importance of skilled and talented people; has the necessary infrastructure to accelerate
employment growth; supports the sustainability of businesses, industries and technologies; and
creates a sustainable business environment that provides a range of diverse employment
opportunities.

Our new economic vision seeks to transition to “a Smart biosphere”.
                                                  4