1. Business and industry development
This pillar seeks to create ongoing relationships with local businesses across various industry sectors and across the region. These relationships will create a mechanism for ongoing dialogue and create the opportunity for the Scenic Rim Regional Council to be able to assist and support local businesses to grow through the theme of ‘retentions, attraction and expansion’.
Key initiatives
Local business visitation program: It is critical for Local Government to engage proactively with local businesses in their region. Only through this engagement can Council understand current trends, any issues emerging as well as future growth aspirations. Once this information is known, Council can seek to assist the business, either directly (if able) or through relying on one of its partners.
Support local businesses: There are a number of ways that Council can directly assist local business, including buying locally, hosting local events, providing information, linking local businesses with Queensland and/or Australian Government programs, investing in community infrastructure, and supporting local Chambers of Commerce and tourism organisations.
2. Marketing and promotion
Marketing and promotion will encompass a wide variety of activities that collectively raise the profile of the region as a business and investment destination and as a tourism destination. In order to market and promote the region effectively, a range of marketing materials will be required (particularly for attracting investment and jobs). These materials need to be delivered in a digital, online format as well as used to target potential investors in specific strategic industries. Creating a broader network of contacts outside of the region that can assist in identifying and facilitating access to prospective investors should also be included.
Key initiatives
- Develop and maintain a suite of investment attraction marketing materials
- Develop an online investment attraction portal
- Maintain an active tourism marketing campaign
- Participate in a variety of networking and business development activities
3. Investment facilitation
Investment facilitation services link to the marketing and promotional efforts in that, once a potential investor can be identified (through marketing and promotion), then the proponent should receive additional services including the provision of information, assistance identifying suitable sites as well as education and information regarding the development approval process. Council should provide a dedicated Case Manager providing a single point of contact for proponents for all matters related to Council. Pre-lodgement meetings and other efforts to ensure an investor is aware of all the necessary planning information are also important.
Key initiatives
Proactively facilitate investment: Working collaboratively with partners to market the Scenic Rim to attract potential investors and influencers.
Efficient planning processes: Ensure that there are internal processes that can make the development application approval process straight-forward and as efficient as possible for potential investors, including case management and pre-lodgement meetings.
4. Education and workforce development
While Council should not engage directly in workforce training initiatives, Council can play a role in facilitating training outcomes for local businesses and residents. Through engagement and interaction with local businesses, Council will be in a position to understand the training and skills needs of local businesses and can link them with a variety of training programs to ensure they have access to these necessary skills.
Key initiatives
Developing local skills for local jobs: Liaise with local businesses to understand their training needs and work with training providers and various training programs to deliver requisite skills. At the same time, Council can liaise with local schools to support local career pathways.
Jobs of the future: Liaise with local businesses and training providers to proactively identify the future workforce needs in terms of skills and create processes with training providers to develop these skills into the future.
5. Advocacy for infrastructure
Advocating to the Queensland and Australian Governments includes not only meeting with and engaging with Queensland and Australian elected members and ministers. A specific business case for any individual infrastructure project needs to be made. Large-scale infrastructure projects can have a catalytic impact on the future economy, including delivering more local jobs. Furthermore, given the current lack of consistent, high-speed internet connectivity across the region, supporting an increased network can support the development of local jobs.
Key initiatives
Advocate for infrastructure: Consistently communicate with Queensland and Australian Government (local members, ministers, senior bureaucrats) regarding required infrastructure projects, including presenting a compelling business case for infrastructure.
