eco dev - what do you think?

Economic Development Strategy out for comment

The Draft Economic Development Policy and Strategy is now out for comment.

The Local Economy, Agriculture and Tourism have been identified by Council as one of its five key strategic focus areas in its Council Plan. The Draft Economic Development Policy and Strategy is a core part of this focus and articulates Council’s role in facilitating innovation through local skills, business and employment.

Over the last eighteen months the Economic Development team has been assessing the opportunities that exist for Council to continue to add value to the sustainability of local business and employment. Several significant projects have been undertaken to help inform this process. 

This work has guided the development of a ten-year Council Policy and Strategy. The Policy outlines Council’s vision for the local economy focusing on sustainable economic development and innovation as a means to support key industry sectors.

The Draft Strategy is divided into three key areas:

1. Global Trends and Positions - that outlines what will be required to make Yarra Ranges an “iReady” economy through soft and hard infrastructure.

2. Strategic Sectors - identifies five key sectors that are current and future drivers of the local economy in manufacturing, retail, home based and small business, agribusiness and health.

3. Target Sectors – industries that have significant growth potential matched to the regions natural and human capital assets including tourism and community business and social enterprise.

You can download a copy of the Draft Economic Development Strategy here.

We'd love to hear what you think.