development€¦ · • sustainable australia — suburban jobs – $100m over four years ($4m in...

Winter 2011 Vol. 5 No. 2

EconomicDEVELOPMENTThe quarterly journal of Economic Development Australia

SHIRE, BUSINESS GROUPS EMBRACE

A SUPER MOORA

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND

QUEENSLAND COMMUNITIESEMPOwERED AND ACkNOwLEDGED

STUDENTS AND BUSINESS BENEFIT FROM AN

INTEGRATED APPROACH

Economic Development Journal

w: www.edaustralia.com.au

The Economic Development Journal is produced quarterly by EDA for use by EDA members. It is produced only as an electronic journal and can be printed out. It is distributed four times a year.

Editor: Richard walker

Graphic Design: Odette Boulton

EDA Secretariat: Contact Naomi Braham Ph: (03) 8534 5003 Email: [email protected]

By Economic Development Australia Ltd (ABN 18 123 776 394) for the use of EDA members.

Economic Development

Volume 5 Number 2 | 2

CONTENTS

Chairman’s Report 1

CEO update 5

New MOU sees EDA Victoria

increasing benefits to members 6

Casey Teams With Monash University

to Further Grow the Local Economy 7

Queensland Communities –

Empowered and Acknowledged 8

Shire, business groups

embrace a Super Moora 10


and Local Government 12

How Tertiary Research Institutions

Can Help ED Units to Facilitate

Economic Development 13

An Exploration of Enablers, Inhibitors

and Measures of Success in SME

eCollaboration. A partnership

with University of Wollongong

and Sutherland Shire Council. 15

Students and business benefit from an

integrated approach 17

ChAirmAN’S rEpOrT



Local Employment Coordinators to help kick-start, implement and support local initiatives which aim to create or maximise employment, education and training opportunities in their priority regional areas. $7.9m will be provided to conduct approximately 40 Jobs and Skills Expos across the priority regional areas to build upon the work of Employment Coordinators.

• TQUAL Grants program – $40m over four years ($3.28m in 10/11, $9.6m in 11/12, $9.6m in 12/13, $9.6m in 13/14 and $9.6m in 14/15) to stimulate growth in the tourism industry by making funding available for projects that enhance and renew Australia’s tourism offering.

• Clean Business Australia – Green Building Fund – $57m over two years ($25.8m in 10/11 and $31.4m in 11/12) for owners of existing commercial office buildings to reduce their energy consumption and green house gas emissions.

• National Workforce Development Fund – $558m over four years to support training and workforce development in areas of current and FUTURE SkILLS NEED.

COmmUNiTy DEvELOpmENT

• Settlement Grants program (SGp) – $195m over five years ($36.4m in 10/11, $38.7m in 11/12, $39.4m in 12/13, $39.7m in 13/14) to provide funding to help organisations manage programs which support newly arrived migrants.

welcome to your EDA Journal winter edition. In this edition, our focus is on working with

tertiary research institutions to expand research capabilities of economic development units. we have also included a useful summary of the Federal Budget opportunities; the National Digital Economy Strategy; a national EDA board update; and importantly, EDA practitioner insights from across Australia.

The Federal Budget was recently announced. As our nation continues to grapple with significant environmental, social and economic policy challenges, consider the following funding opportunities for your communities…

BUSiNESS AND ECONOmiC DEvELOpmENT

• Sustainable Australia — Suburban Jobs – $100m over four years ($4m in 11/12, $32.5m in 12/13, $42m in 13/14 and $21.5m in 14/15) to assist State and Local Governments to plan and provide for employment hubs to support local jobs, close to residential areas in order to reduce travel times to work and services. It will also provide grants to companies who fund innovative ways to use the National Broadband Network to reduce travel times. The program will focus on the outer suburbs of our major cities that are experiencing pressures from population growth and transport affordability.

• infrastructure Employment projects Local Government component – $44.4m in 11/12 ($2m in victoria) to generate jobs and increase skills by supporting key infrastructure projects in areas of need in local communities.

• Local Employment Coordinators and Jobs Expos – $45.2m over two years to support 20 of Australia’s most vulnerable regions until 30 June 2013. This measure also includes $20m for a flexible funding pool to be utilised by each of the



• Saluting their Service Grants – $33.04m over five years ($6.9m in 10/11, $6.5m in 11/12, $6.6m in 12/13, $6.7m in 13/14 and $6.7m in 14/15) to develop and implement commemorative initiatives and provide support and funding for community organisations.

• Diversity and Social Cohesion program – $12.1m over five years ($2.3m in 10/11, $3.5m in 11/12, $2m in 12/13, $2m in 13/14 and $2.1m in 14/15) provides grants which address issues of cultural, racial and religious intolerance to community-based organisations and information activities such as Harmony Day.

• National plan to reduce violence against Women and their Children – $3.75m over three years for Community Action Grants.

• Broadband for Seniors — $10.4m over four years ($2.6m per year till 14/15) for the ongoing maintenance of the 2,000 Broadband kiosks for Seniors which provide older Australians with free access to the internet and assist them to gain confidence to use computers through free training in their local communities.

• Community heritage Grants – $30m over five years ($4.4m in 10/11, $8.4m in 11/12, $8.4m in 12/13, $4.4m in 13/14 and $4.4m in 14/15) for a competitive grant process to assist local communities to manage and conserve heritage places.

COmmUNiTy iNFrASTrUCTUrE

• regional and Local Community infrastructure program – $12.6m in victoria in 11/12 for direct funding to Local Government to build and modernise community infrastructure.

• regional Development Australia Fund – $1b over five years from 11/12 to fund projects that support the infrastructure needs, and will enhance the economic and community development, of Australia’s regions.

COmmUNiTy SAFETy

• Safer Suburbs – $4.059m in 10/11, $3.78m in 11/12 and $500,000 in 12/13 which provides funding for CCTV, lighting, safety alarms and other similar capital projects.

• proceeds of Crime funding for projects focusing on crime prevention for seniors (including personal and financial security), victims of violent crime, youth crime, diversion and prevention programs, capital to fund security infrastructure (including CCTV and lighting) and early intervention projects.

EDUCATiON

• higher Education participation and partnership program – $708.4m over four years – ($84.85m in 10/11, $145.46m in 11/12, $181.08m in 12/13, $187.59m in 13/14 and $194.24m in 14/15) to eligible universities to increase the access and participation in higher education of people from a background of low socio-economic status.

• regional Education Skills and Jobs plans – $19.1m over two years to develop 34 plans aimed at improving access to and participation in education, training and employment.

ENvirONmENT AND CLimATE ChANGE

• Low Carbon Communities program – $69.8m over four years ($300,000 in 10/11, $28m in 11/12, $28m in 12/13 and $13.45m in 13/14) for local government and local community initiatives which reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including projects such as installing energy efficient street lighting.

• Caring for our Country – $430.2m over three years to 12/13 ($143.4m per year) to integrate delivery of the Commonwealth’s natural resources management activities on six priority areas, including the National Reserve System, biodiversity and natural icons, coastal environments and critical aquatic habitats, sustainable farm practices, natural resource management in northern and remote Australia; and community skills, knowledge and engagement.



• National Water Security plan for Cities and Towns – $107.1m in 11/12 ($5m in victoria) for six specific urban water management projects and 18 projects, across 17 remote communities throughout Australia.

• National Urban Water and Desalination plan $18.5m in victoria in 11/12 ($9m) and 12/13 ($9.5m) out of a $131.9m total across Australia for 4 specific urban water management projects in large urban centres to help secure water supplies and reduce reliance on traditional rainfall-dependent water sources without adding to greenhouse gas emissions.

hEALTh

• Aged Care Service improvement and healthy Ageing Grants Fund – $250m over four years ($54.1m in 11/12, $61m in 12/13, $67m in 13/14 and $68m in 14/15) to provide a larger, flexible funding pool for initiatives aimed at supporting smaller aged care services and promoting healthy and active ageing.

hOUSiNG

• housing Affordability Fund – $314.55m over three years ($56.26m in 10/11, $147.2m in 11/12 and $111.2m in 12/13) to lower the cost of building new homes across Australia. The Fund is supporting projects that improve the supply of new housing, and make housing more affordable for home buyers entering the market.

pLANNiNG

• A Sustainable Australia – Livable Cities and Urban renewal program – $20m ($10m in both 11/12 and 12/13) to leverage additional resources from state and territory governments as well as local councils for innovative solutions to poor urban design, high levels of car dependency, traffic congestion, a lack of open space and rising carbon emissions

• Sustainable Australia — sustainable regional development ($8.5m in 11/12, $9.4m in 12/13, $8.1m in 13/14 and

• $3.2m in 14/15) to support the development of seven sustainability plans for regional and coastal high growth centres by state and local governments. The program includes a grants component that will help build the capacity of local governments to develop sustainability plans.

• Preparation of a national Urban Design Protocol that will provide Local Governments, developers, industry professionals and communities with a tool for designing, assessing and implementing better design and construction outcomes for our cities.

• Support for State, Territory and Local Governments in all major cities to: – complete metropolitan plans that better deliver on the COAG criteria, not just in capital cities, but in major cities across Australia, undertake detailed policy, planning, feasibility assessment, and/or design to implement components of metropolitan or city plans to deliver on elements such as maximizing the efficiency of land use and transport, – facilitate housing affordability and diversity, – increase public transport and active travel, climate change mitigation and adaptation, – facilitate social inclusion and economic participation – identify and protect infrastructure corridors and sites and – improve coordination and governance arrangements within and between governments.

• Support for the planning, development and management of cities through establishing an Urban Policy Forum with key stakeholders and independent experts to advise on the National Urban Policy implementation.

• Supporting local government to undertake reforms to streamline administration and development approvals and implement strategic spatial planning.

rOADS AND pUBLiC TrANSpOrT

• managed motorways – $61.4m over 3 years ($20.4m in 11/12, $20.5m in 12/13 and $20.5m in 13/14) to be developed by Infrastructure Australia and involving the retrofitting of smart technology to improve traffic flows along congested motorways and outer city roads, with $61.4m available to co-fund projects with



those states and territories which sign onto national transport reforms.

• $17.6m to eliminate another 60 dangerous black spots on local roads;

• $6.5m for rest stops and the other roadside facilities used by truck drivers.

• $207.2m to assist victoria’s councils maintain and upgrade their local roads.

EDA National Board Update

On 7th July this month, your EDA national board gathered for a face to face board meeting in Brisbane. we are grateful to both SGS and LGAQ for hosting us throughout the day. The agenda covered strategic and operational issues, including our board governance and performance; EDA business plan review; sub-committee structure; board succession planning; EDA future research opportunities; state practitioner networks update; improvements to the EDA website; relationship with RMIT University; a presentation by Chifley Business School; update on the 2012 National Economic Development Australia Asia Pacific Conference and concluded with a late afternoon short site inspection of the Brisbane river waterfront redevelopment hosted by LGAQ CEO Greg Hallam.

EDA’s regional and remote Training program

EDA’s Regional and Remote Training Program has been recognised by the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Hon Simon Crean and his department. EDA has advocated for Federal

Government funding to support a three year RRTP national co-ordination role.

National Digital Economy Strategy

You may be aware Minister Stephen Conroy recently launched this national strategy. It outlines eight Digital Economy Goals (households; business and not for profit organisations; education; teleworking; regional Australia; government services and smart technology. we would encourage you to visit: http://www.nbn.gov.au/the-vision/digitaleconomystrategy/

National Economic Development Conference 2011 – The Digital Economy…

Congratulations to EDA-SA state practitioner network national conference organising committee and in particular David Penfold for their outstanding work in producing a highly relevant, topical, ‘hands-on’ and practical conference program. we look forward to seeing you in Adelaide, SA, from the 4th – 6th October this year. Conference registrations have been strong and we urge you to book your place at our premier national EDA conference today!

On behalf of the EDA national board, thank you for your continuing membership, participation and support.

Regards Steve Chapple National Chair, July 2011



National Economic Development Conference 2011

The Adelaide based Conference committee has been meeting regularly and produced a

comprehensive program involving high quality speakers operating in the digital economy.

In particular David Penfold has been able to select and convince the speakers to participate. For the first time, EDA is using an outside facilitator, Peter Couchman. The conference is followed by a Master Class run by our international speaker, Robert Bell. The output of this Class will be a Digital Economy Strategy for participants’ organisations. In addition there are visits to two first release sites at willunga and in the Barossa.

The emphasis of the conference is to outline the opportunities afforded by access to high speed broadband across Australia.

ED Awards 2011

Applications for these Awards have opened and close on August 2nd. There is a new category covering applications in the digital economy. Members are urged not to wait until the last minute to lodge applications.

Accreditation

More than 50 practitioners have achieved their ACEcD accreditation. There still seems to be a misunderstanding about the initial process. All that is needed when first applying is for members to fill in the Education and Employment Sections. There is no need to put in PD activity. This will be needed at the end of the year when reapplying.

New membership year

At the General meeting in July in Brisbane, members present approved a Constitutional Change to bring the membership year to commence January 1st each year. This will simplify administration and fit in with the accreditation scheme where apart from fulfilling PD requirements, the member must be financial. Membership from July will be pro-rated to bring all members to a common membership year.

State practitioner Networks have been active in most states during the past few months.

NSW – 50 practitioners attended a presentation by Professor Ed Blakely on Economic Development and Local Government at Marrickville City Council.

Queensland – The EDA Qld/LGAQ Economic Development Conference at Gladstone attracted Minister Crean and was attended by the EDA Chair and Professor Blakely.

victoria – At the end of March, 86 practitioners attended the EDA Vic Conference at wangaratta, entitled Finance, Floods and Fire – Weathering the Change”. In early August, EDA Vic and the Planning Institute have combined to run a Conference at Caroline Springs entitled Economic Development Meets Planning – How both Can Help Shape Victoria. The Victorians have invited applicants for the second round of the scholarship program prior to it going national.

South Australia – Apart from being active in organising the NED Conference , EDA SA has run a series of Council showcase seminars at Playford, Tea Tree Gully and Unley Councils.

Western Australia – Apart from spending considerable time trialling and refining the Remote Area ED Training Program, EDA wA held a successful Capacity Assessment Workshop at Rockingham in May and is planning a seminar on Linking Tourism, Small Business and Economic Development at the end of July.

On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank all those members who have supported EDA in the planning, organising and attending EDA activities.

richard WalkerChief Executive Officer

CEO UpDATE



The EDA Victoria chapter and the Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and

Industry (VECCI) have co-signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) that will see the two peak bodies working together on economic and community development in Victoria.

VECCI is a not for profit Chamber of Commerce. Its mission is to:

• Be Victoria’s most influential business organisation at state and national levels;

•Provide excellent demand driven business services

• Be a future focussed, dynamic and modern Chamber of Commerce

The MOU outlines how EDA and VECCI will work together on joint policy and advocacy, conferences and events and expanding professional development opportunities for economic development practitioners

The MOU formalises the current productive relationship between EDA Victoria and VECCI. The agreement is the first of its kind between an EDA chapter and an employer chamber of commerce in Australia. It acknowledges that both organisations share similar goals and values and are willing to commit to a long term relationship for the benefit of members.

VECCI’s CEO Mr wayne kayler-Thomson, a long time member of EDA and pioneer of EDA in its early beginnings over 20 years ago, believes that the MOU is an exciting way forward for Victoria.

“The fact that VECCI have a key role to play in economic and community development across Victoria through its policy and advocacy role in infrastructure, regional development, workplace

relations and business development means that an alliance with EDA, which has the practitioners that deliver the strategies as its membership heart, is a healthy and practical alliance for sustainable planning and delivery of outcomes” Mr kayler-Thomson says.

Since the MOU was signed, EDA Victoria and VECCI have cooperated successfully on staging EDA Victoria’s regional conference in April, in wangaratta.

The two partners are now collaborating on EDA Victoria’s metropolitan conference on the 4th and 5th of August in Melton Shire. The conference, in partnership with the Planning Institute of Australia will bring together economic development and planning practitioners to discuss “Economic Development Meets Planning – How both can help shape Victoria”.

NEW mOU SEES EDA viCTOriA iNCrEASiNG BENEFiTS TO mEmBErSBy Frances Grigoriou, Chair EDA Victoria

Matthew Gould, Regional Business Manager, VECCI; Frances Grigoriou, Chair EDA Vic,

and Wayne Kayler-Thomson, CEO VECCI



The City of Casey has teamed with Monash University’s Faculty of Business and Economics

in a new partnership that will help boost local job

creation and business investment.

Casey’s Economic Development Department

relocated to the Monash University Berwick Campus

in January this year. The move allows both parties to

work on a range of initiatives to help strengthen the

local economy and create more local jobs.

Other areas of joint working include opportunities

for research, policy and strategy development,

use of the facilities at the university for business

meetings, workshops and seminars and an annual

conference addressing local and regional economic

development issues. Finally a feasibility study into

locating a Business Accelerator on the Berwick

Campus is currently being carried out by a final

year student. Student placements into local

businesses and business organisations are also

likely to provide huge benefits for local businesses

and give students first hand experiences of working

in the business community.

There is considerable benefit for both parties

in establishing closer links and co-location would

enable joint projects and a sound research-base

for the very challenging work required to establish

and support new communities, in particular,

the business community. The precinct in which

the Berwick Campus is located is fast developing

into a medical, education and business hub and

the location of the Council’s Economic Development

Department in this area is a clear statement

of Council’s intent to place business investment, attraction and development at the forefront of Council priorities. with the huge growth in population in the Casey Cardinia growth corridor, initiatives aimed at increasing business competitiveness and delivering more local employment opportunities are essential and it is hoped that the partnership between the university and council will help in delivering much needed local jobs.

Monash sees the partnership as a first step in building resources and expertise in the region which could underpin further developments such as a Business Accelerator on campus at a later stage. The development of a Business Accelerator would also meet the requirements of one of the actions in the Council’s new Economic Development Strategy 2010-2015. This helps in the delivery of one of the Councils key priorities, which is to provide more local jobs for local people. Helping local businesses develop and grow is an important element of achieving that.

Speaking at a reception at Monash University Berwick Campus on Thursday 7 April, to celebrate the new partnership, City of Casey Mayor Cr Shar Balmes said, ‘This new partnership is a key milestone in Council’s Economic Development Strategy.

‘It will enable joint projects and provide a sound research base for the very challenging work required to support our growing and new communities.

‘The location of the Economic Development Department here at Monash is a clear statement of Council’s intent to place business investment, attraction and development at the forefront of its priorities.’

CASEy TEAmS WiTh mONASh UNivErSiTy TO FUrThEr GrOW ThE LOCAL ECONOmy By David Wilkinson, Manager Economic Development, Casey City Council



The collaborative approach taken by LGAQ and EDA was strengthened recently with the launch

of the inaugural Queensland Awards for Economic Development Excellence at the LGAQ Economic Development Conference in Gladstone.

The Hon. Simon Crean, Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government made it his imperative to attend and delivered a key message of localism and empowering local communities to take control of their own destiny.

He spoke about the potential of the State across its diverse regions, the challenges of the two speed economy and, of course, the role of RDA’s in facilitating a coherent regional voice.

He said “The patchwork nature of our economy calls for a new approach That means the answer lies with you - because the regions and local government areas are the patches, and we want to draw on your input to make the patches work better.”

He added “Forty years in public life have taught me that the best ideas come from the ground up.”

Crean’s address preceded a lively and engaging panel session with representatives from three levels of government including RDA representatives, discussing the progress of RDAs. It’s clear there is much to be done in raising the profile of this new mechanism for local engagement to address the big ticket items for Queensland’s regions.

Crean was very clear in his statement that RDA’s would not be “unpicked” just as Centrelink and Medicare cannot be undone.

There were positive noises being made about new investment to strengthen the tripartite relationship spruiked by RDAs including the intention to increase Commonwealth representation at a regional level – with additional staff to be placed in Brisbane and Gladstone.

QUEENSLAND’S COmmUNiTiES –EmpOWErED AND ACkNOWLEDGED

By Angela Quain, Vice Chair, EDA

Paul Bell, Chair Queensland Local Government Association, Hon Simon Crean, Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, Stephen Chapple National Chair, EDA; and Angela Quain Deputy Chair EDA and Economic Development Policy Adviser LGAQ



The State’s Regionalisation Strategy was a key topic for discussion, supplemented by case studies of Federal and State investment in New South wales and Victoria in the ‘Evocities’ and ‘Make It Happen’ regional investment attraction programs.

National Chairman of Economic Development Australia, Stephen Chapple addressed delegates on the professional development opportunities being rolled out for practitioners and touched on a range of proposals under consideration by the Commonwealth – new programs which EDA hopes to announce soon. He also praised the strong partnership forged with LGAQ.

A total of forty nine speakers entertained and engaged delegates over a three day period – attendees delighted by the interactive and contemporary nature of many of the sessions focussing on the job in hand, embracing new horizons and sustainability – building back better for future needs and harnessing new technology and commercial opportunities.

The Hon. Stirling Hinchliffe, Minister for Employment, Skills and Mining talked about resource industry growth and workforce challenges and was followed by Professor John Cole who challenged realistic prospects of the State for achieving economic sustainability in the longer term, given the apparent ‘short term’ focus of many of the measures being taken to address these current issues.

Professor Ed Blakely (University of Sydney) has been in demand internationally given his invaluable experience in economic recovery efforts and the extreme events affecting not only Australia but New Zealand, Japan and parts of America. His keynote address which focussed on leveraging regional advantages and building resilience preceded his workshop - bursting with activity in which ideas were born and shaped, progressing those themes.

Along with the work progressed, the event was praised for its networking opportunities, new friendships, mentoring opportunities and professional learnings achieved. One of the highlights of the event was the inaugural EDA Queensland Awards for Economic Development Excellence.

Local Government Association of Queensland President Paul Bell said the awards highlighted the

importance of local council initiatives and strong political leadership from council representatives to sustained regional economic growth.

“The people and projects recognised here all build capacity and resilience in their communities,’’ he said.

“At a time of increased economic uncertainty, they provide innovative ways to ensure their communities thrive.’’

with personal messages sent on to award winners by Simon Crean, the accolades went to Mackay whitsunday Regional Economic Development Corporation for Strategic Partnerships and Cairns Regional Council for Economic Environmental Innovation.

Logan City Council Mayor, Pam Parker, was recognised for her passionate advocacy in the field – receiving the Economic Development Champion – Elected Member award.

EDA National Chair Stephen Chapple said Cr Parker provided strong leadership in advocating quality development that would create jobs for the future.

“She not only goes about building an economy, she builds a community,’’ he said.

Despite the work in hand, the conference and awards showcased that councils are ensuring Queensland is well and truly open for business on every level.

Interim EDA Queensland Chair, Angela Quain added:

“All indications show that Queensland is proving a fierce competitor for October’s EDA National Awards in Adelaide – watch this space!”

Queensland practitioners enjoying the Dinner



ShirE, BUSiNESS GrOUpS EmBrACE A SUpEr mOOrABy Simon Millcock & Ling Geh

Moora’s quest for economic growth has been given a boost following a unanimous vote by

council to act on talk of becoming a ‘super town’.

The motion will see the shire seek a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Department of Regional Lands and Development, outlining the process needed to upgrade existing infrastructure to cater for strategic growth over the next ten to 15 years.

Councillors also voted to form a committee of community members, business, councillors and Development Commissions with the State Government to oversee the process.

In the first of many community consultations, the shire held two workshops with Moora business and community members recently, with guest speakers Simon Millcock and Ling Geh, both highly experienced in Local Government economic development.

Simon was instrumental in liaising with the South Australian government and interstate businesses to bring industry to the Adelaide Plains region.

He told of the process of attracting intensive livestock, poultry, piggery and horticulture business and associated packaging, processing and transporting business to the towns he worked with.

He said the first step was for the community members to develop their own confidence in their town.

“we had to come out of the concept we were living in a dry dustbowl and celebrate who we were as a community.”

Simon emphasised the need for all community members, groups, organisations, boards and councils to be supportive of growth.

He highlighted the need for cooperation between state and local governments to equip the region with necessary facilities, but pointed out that having business groups on board with development groups to canvass potential new industry was a major first step.

Ling Geh, from the City of Belmont’s property and economic development team, said one of the best tools in attracting new business investment was well produced glossy publications such as a detailed business profile, local planning scheme and a business newsletter containing local business success stories.

Ms Geh said in order to attract more families to populate the City of Belmont, its council made enhancing parks and public spaces a priority, and ran an extensive advertising campaign.

Shire of Moora chief executive Lynette O’Reilly said there would be further opportunities for people to ‘have a say and make a contribution to the future of Moora’.

“It was clear from the workshops the key factor in the future direction of Moora as a super town is developing economic drivers around our existing and emerging industries and to ensure we continue to look for new and innovative opportunities,” Ms O’Reilly said.

Shire of Moora chief executive Lynette O’Reilly said there

would be further opportunities for people to ‘have a say and make a contribution to the future of Moora’.



“Having our businesses and farming communities on board will be critical to developing a sustainable plan for growth.”

workshop participants had the chance to suggest steps they believe need to be taken in the process of promoting growth in the town.

Suggestions included taking proactive steps to change the profile of Moora projected, and steps to foster pride in the town within its population.

The importance of regular communication between shire and business development groups

was also raised, as was the need for more communication between these groups and the broader community.

Further collaboration with youth and indigenous communities was suggested.

The need to prioritise support of existing businesses as well as attracting new business was another recommendation.

Housing issues were also raised, including a current shortage of appropriate housing for employees of existing business.

EDA Directors Simon Millcock and Ling Geh address participants at MOORA workshop



ECONOmiC DEvELOpmENT AND LOCAL GOvErNmENT

The “Evening with Professor Edward Blakely” jointly presented by EDA NSw and

Marrickville Council on Friday 15 July proved to be an overwhelming success. Over fifty practitioners, senior managers and elected officials were treated to a thought provoking introduction to the new forces for local economic development. Dr Blakely provided insights into where economic development will pave the way in five key directions; city rebuilding, carbon re-structuring, innovation funds, new fuels and new start-up clean energy firms. He also stressed the need for new infrastructure for a knowledge intensive economy; community work centres, city based education centres, value of the NBN to small places and outsourcing through computer support centres with this new infrastructure being supported through the use of value capture financing tools. In conclusion Dr Blakely provided a very interesting example of mixed income education based settlements. Rather than take questions guests were invited to sample some of the local Middle Eastern cuisine available in Marrickville, grab a beverage and exchange ideas with Ed in a more relaxed atmosphere.

By Duncan Gilchrist, Economic Development Manager, Marrickville City Council

Ken Gainger, General Manager, Marrickville City Council, Richard Walker CEO EDA, Fiona Byrne, Mayor; and Prof Ed Blakely

Stephanie Kelly, Economic Development Manager, Canada Bay Council; Tom Durick, Asst Regional Director, NSW Dept of Trade, Investment,

Regional Infrastructure & Services, Prof Ed Blakely

EDA NSW Practitioners being addressed by

Professor Ed Blakely



regional Economic Development in 21st Century Australia

Today, the concept of a ‘knowledge economy’ is embedded in most economic development policy settings throughout Australia. For many regions, this is underpinned by a desire to transition the economy away from a reliance on once prosperous but since declining industries to one which is characterised by ‘knowledge-based industries’.

In 21st Century regional Australia, economic prosperity is not just about a region’s stock of natural resources or its quantity (and quality) of land, labour and capital. More than ever before, regions need to identify their ‘smarts’ in combining input and talent, leveraging economies of scope, discovering new markets, inventing, and increasing productivity. In short, they need to be innovative.

A number of research reports link knowledge and innovation with economic growth. For example, the OECD (1998) concluded that “long-term growth rates in OECD economies depend on maintaining and expanding the knowledge base, while making it more responsive to economic and social needs”.

Such findings reflect a general consensus amongst international researchers, academics and think tanks that those countries and regions which adapt most readily and exploit the opportunities offered by the knowledge economy will enjoy rising incomes and prosperity while those which lag behind may face relative economic decline.

‘knowledge-based industries’ include, for example, financial and legal services, telecommunications,

scientific and technical services, the creative industries and even certain segments of the manufacturing sector. However, contrary to popular belief, ‘knowledge’ is not a separate sector of the economy. Rather, it is embedded in all industries.

This notion is supported by the US-based Oregon Council for knowledge and Economic Development which describes a knowledge economy as one “where the keys to wealth and job creation are the extent to which ideas, innovation and technology are embedded in all sectors” (OCkED, 2002).

Universities, research institutes and ED Units

All levels of education – primary, secondary and tertiary - contribute to a region’s economic development. But it’s the tertiary education sector that is at frontier of economic development in the new economy.

Universities and technical colleges, together with other research organisations and think tanks as well as innovation centres and industry incubators, plus of course the business sector, largely determine a region’s knowledge economy capabilities.

Universities and research institutes across Australia are involved in initiating research, patenting research, commercialising ideas and generating ‘spin-off’ companies.

These activities are backed by Federal Government policy including funding for Co-operative Research Centres (CRCs), ARC ‘Discovery’ and ‘Linkage’

hOW TErTiAry rESEArCh iNSTiTUTiONS CAN hELp ED UNiTS TO FACiLiTATE ECONOmiC DEvELOpmENTBy Sasha Lennon



projects, ongoing research into matters such as population dynamics, regional health and well-being, regional road transport, community infrastructure and industry trends and issues, as well as the allocation of various competitive national grants.

Tertiary education institutions and their research arms or spin-off companies support the knowledge economy through other ways including: training a labour force including scientists, professionals, technicians and entrepreneurs; accessing global knowledge and world’s best practice through the research they conduct; and developing the social capital of their community through outreach work including public lectures, representation on bodies like the RDA Committees or semi-autonomous ED Units, undertaking consultancy projects and publishing independent critiques on public policy.

Nurturing institutional relationships

while research institutes have a valuable contribution to make to regional prosperity, it is important to remember that promoting economic development is not the primary role of universities or think tanks. Their primary roles are to educate people, explore new ideas through rigorous, independent research and to produce new knowledge. Consequently, efforts to leverage tertiary research institutions to enhance a region’s growth prospects must recognise and respect this.

Best practice literature centres on the integral role of tertiary research institutions like universities in regional leadership and regional engagement, as well as on university contributions to knowledge generation and research commercialisation processes.

Much of the literature discusses how the ‘internal’ management and operational measures of ED Units have been successfully used to: link regional leadership with the strategic objectives of universities; encourage university staff participation in regional engagement activities; and galvanise a partnership approach, promulgated and consciously considered by universities, to regional knowledge economy development efforts.

The research concludes that universities and other tertiary research institutions can optimise their contributions to economic development by building a critical mass in a limited number of strategic research areas and ensuring that these activities are well connected to members of their region’s relevant industry clusters or value chains.

Importantly, it is the role of the region’s ED Unit, as the lead agency for economic development to play its role (amongst other things) in establishing and then nurturing collaborative structures between all economic development stakeholders. This includes the tertiary research organisations which can play such a fundamental role in regional economic development.

Sasha Lennon (B.Ec., Grad. Dip. Advanced Economics) is a Brisbane-based Director of SGS Economics and Planning Pty Ltd. He is a qualified economist and an Australian Certified Economic Developer (ACEcD) with EDA. He is currently

undertaking a Master of Journalism within the Creative Industries Faculty at Queensland University of Technology. He can be contacted by email at [email protected]

references:1 Easterly, w. & Levine, E. (2001), “what have we learnt from a decade of empirical research on growth? It’s Not Factor

Accumulation: Stylized Facts and Growth Models”, world Bank Economic Review, Vol. 15, No. 12 OECD (1998), Technology, Productivity and Job Creation: Best Policy Practice, Paris3 Oregon Council for knowledge and Economic Development (December 2002), Renewing Oregon’s Economy: Growing Jobs

and Industries through Innovation4 State Science and Technology Institute, (2006), A Resource Guide for Technology-based Economic Development,

viewed 18th October 2007, <http://www.ssti.org/Publications/Onlinepubs/resource_guide.pdf>5 world Bank (1998), World Development Report: Knowledge for Development, washington DC



This research project formed the initial exploratory stage of an Australian Research Council (ARC)

supported partnership between The University of wollongong (Uow) and Sutherland Shire Council (SSC). The initiative is a national research project that explores the practicalities of eCollaboration in Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and will focus on the many ways businesses compete and innovate through collaboration, along with how they can benefit and grow their business through eCollaboration.

Previous research conducted in this area has revealed the significant benefits in innovation and competitiveness, stemming from collaboration, for individual businesses, communities and local and national economies. Research on how to best encourage and facilitate collaboration has however been limited.

The primary investigators were involved through the Commerce Internship Programme at UOw which provides an opportunity for students to integrate and apply their university knowledge in an industry context. This forms part of ongoing research relationships between academics at UOw and the SSC Economic Development Unit.

SSC, through the Economic Development Unit, provided:

• letter of support to assist in our application for the linkage Grant from the Australian Research Council for the purpose of studying e-Collaboration with clusters of firms within the Sutherland Shire

• guidance throughout the project for the students and

• links to the local business community (with a focus on 3 industries in stage 1: IT, Marine, AIDN and Tourism industry for stage 2).

A significant part of the SSC’s Strategic Plan (Strategic Plan 2007) recognises the need for collaboration amongst small businesses in the Sutherland Shire. A key statement in this plan explains: “Collaboration with other small businesses can be critical to ensuring future viability and to improve access to markets” – this is exactly what you intend to accomplish with this research. In response to this need, the council has committed substantial resources to the establishment of mechanisms for facilitating collaboration. SSC currently has three successful programs running in support of SME collaboration, two of these are operating in conjunction with the University of wollongong. The three programs are: SSHED, SSHEDX and SSHEDnet.

The Sutherland Shire has 52,000 active ABNs and most of these are small businesses. This study provided SSC and its community of SMEs with an essential understanding of how we can better facilitate collaboration amongst businesses using electronic means for communication and networking, what the typical barriers and impediments are and how we can overcome them. From this information, we are in a better position to advise our resident businesses.

Summary of Findings

• The key factors identified that can potentially enable or inhibit collaboration in general are:

• Focus on Business Outcomes – Businesses essentially consider their profit prospects in decision making related to collaboration and must directly see the benefits to their core business.

AN ExpLOrATiON OF ENABLErS,iNhiBiTOrS AND mEASUrES OF SUCCESS iN SmE ECOLLABOrATiONA pArTNErShip WiTh UNivErSiTy OF WOLLONGONG AND SUThErLAND ShirE COUNCiL

By Derril Greenway & Anne Flischer



• Limited Intervention – Facilitation of SME collaboration should be limited to providing the means for collaboration to occur. Collaboration itself must be driven by business members’ objectives.

• Personal Facilitation – Information and communications technologies (ICT) can enhance collaboration but cannot be wholly relied upon. Personal contact is still essential in forming productive relationships.

• Trust – Development of trust between stakeholders develops overtime but is important for ensuring mutual ownership and democracy in decision making in collaborative projects.

• The key factors identified for measuring the success of collaboration are:

• Qualitative and Quantitative Feedback – Both have been proven beneficial in monitoring the success of eCollaboration within cluster communities.

• Membership Participation and Motivation – Patterns of membership can be identified and integrated into cluster strategic planning.

• Resulting Business Opportunities – By identifying previously successful ventures, clusters can further promote and improve eCollaboration.

• Productive Networking – eCollaboration provides the opportunity to gauge the success of professional networking opportunities.

Overall Conclusions

• The research uncovered detailed rich information on the dynamics of SME collaboration that developed the eight key findings above.

• If the enablers and inhibitors are not explicitly addressed and tailored to the collaborative project, relationships may break down.

• Collaboration, is complex and not all businesses or industry areas are suited for collaboration. However, commitment to identifying and overcoming the barriers and ensuring success is supported with evidence, addresses some of the difficulties involved in collaboration

The key findings developed through this research aim to provide a model to evaluate potential and current

collaborative relationships, and also provide businesses with practical information for future opportunities and development in collaborative projects

project benefits for the Sutherland Shire

• Activities to Achieve the Management Plan; People & Place indicators

• Image of Council, as an active agent in Maintaining and sustaining Our Prosperous Local Economy

• New Jobs in the Next wave of Business Best Practice (e-collaboration)

•Business Sustainability

• Maintaining and Enhancing Our Local Industry and Business Community

•Skills Development

•Directly Addressing Local Skills Shortages

• Preparing our Local Businesses for the Next wave of Competitive Practice

• Promoting Sutherland Shire as a Modern, world Connected Business Community

•Growing Local Business Engagement in EXPORT

Council was pleased to be involved with the Uow on this exciting project. Our partnership with the Uow is afterall an extension of our relationship founded on the SSHED-Uow loftus campus.

Council continues its relationship with Uow in 2011 with potential projects including: 1. An Economic Development Model and the 2. Impact of SSHEDnet into regional areas (this will compliment the e-collaboration project).

Further information:Sutherland Shire Council’s Economic Development Unit

p: (02) 9710 0607E: [email protected]: www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/

business



STUDENTS AND BUSiNESS BENEFiT FrOm AN iNTEGrATED ApprOACh

Abstract:

Frankston’s Student Discount Card Scheme (branded as Splash Card) is an industry leading economic development program that delivers local employment, encourages local shopping and engages youth.

The program predominantly operates through online mediums; web site, email, SMS, Facebook and Twitter – connecting with youth through the avenues that they prefer.

The methodology behind Splash Card leads the way forward for Councils to engage youth and alert them to local employment opportunities in a no-nonsense fashion.

Over the past two years Frankston City Council has implemented an integrated Economic Devel-

opment program aimed at supporting local business and students.

Many local economic development activities focus on strategic imperatives, like planning, development and investment attraction. Meanwhile, grass roots programs are often geared towards export and manufacturing; whilst retailers may benefit from precinct marketing resulting from special charge schemes.

Frankston City, like most other municipalities, has a number of these programs in place. In fact, the range of business support offerings available to the

By Johnathan Reichwald

FrANkSTON’S STUDENT DiSCOUNT CArD SChEmE (SpLASh CArD)

Jonathan Reichwald is the City Centre Place Maker at Frankston City Council. His background in commerce and marketing has enabled Council to implement a number of innovative programs with clear outcomes.

E: [email protected] Web: www.splashcard.com.au

local business community is arguably amongst the best in Victoria.

Despite the merit of such programs, the ability of Local Government to influence key economic drivers in the ‘here and now’ is a challenge all Economic Development Practitioners face. How many times have you heard business operators plead “but how does that help me?” or “that solution is great in the long-term, but it doesn’t help me at the moment”?

This formed the rationale behind Frankston’s Student Discount Card Scheme (SDCS). This is a program developed to achieve two fundamental economic drivers: local sales and local employment.

The integrated program addresses a number of issues – mainly in Frankston’s city centre:

Frankston’s great juxtaposition:

To put the program into context, the Frankston city centre is the subject of a great juxtaposition between its hard top shopping centre (Bayside Shopping Centre) and the array strip shopping that surrounds it. whilst Bayside Shopping Centre prospers (12 million visitors annually), the shopping strips suffer from high vacancy rates and high turnover of businesses. As a result, the streets often have a hard-edged ambience.



The SDCS was made available only to street businesses that do not benefit from the marketing resources that are afforded to tenants of the shopping centre.

Encouraging students to shop in Frankston

Traditionally, the streets of Frankston are often overlooked by young people as a destination to shop. Many are drawn into the shopping centre, or further afield to other regional shopping centres.

One particular missed opportunity in Frankston’s city centre is its access to a catchment of 15,000 Chisholm Institute of TAFE students. Located just 100 metres east, the campus is disconnected from the city centre by Frankston Railway Station. This creates a psychological and physical barrier for students to shop in the city centre.

The SDCS provides an added incentive for students to explore and shop at businesses on the streets of Frankston.

Lack of appropriate marketing tools for small business

During the program’s inception, Council’s Economic Development Team walked the streets of Frankston, selling the SDCS concept to business operators as a free marketing tool. The team is constantly fielding complaints from businesses that there are too few affordable marketing mediums – SDCS is new and free and connects with clients at a deeper level than any traditional marketing methods.

retaining locally educated talent

Another key gap identified has been Frankston City’s difficulty in retaining a skilled local workforce. Educated locals are drawn to work in inner-city hubs and are unaware of the employment opportunities that are available locally. Meanwhile, there was no platform for local businesses to engage the local talent.

Youth disengagement in Frankston City is about 6% higher than the state figure – the SDCS provides a platform for students (particularly secondary) to enter the workforce – often in casual positions. It also allows promotion of the trades (many of which have skills shortages) to students who may wish to undertake the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning or are considering leaving school early.

how it works:

The SDCS scheme provides discounts and special offers at over 50 street-side businesses in Frankston’s city centre and was made available (free) only to these businesses. Students simply present their card to redeem the offer. It is worth noting that the focus is on students in their final years of secondary schooling and all tertiary students.

The program is branded as ‘Splash Card’. A non-bureaucratic look and feel to the campaign collateral is critical in engaging the demographic.- the fundamental element behind the campaign’s success being Customer Relationship Marketing (CRM).

Students are asked to register their Splash Card online before using it, including contact and study details and in turn are invited to participate in specific social media platforms. Over 1000 students now participate in the campaign through Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, subsequently new tools such as LinkedIn – the social network for professionals are being considered.

Student using the Splash Card



Jonathan Reichwald is the City Centre Place Maker at Frankston City Council, he says

“Unprecedented numbers of students from surrounding areas are now requesting cards – having students from other areas coming to Frankston to spend is a fantastic economic outcome.”

“Databasing has provided the impetus for CRM and has armed Council with unprecedented knowledge about its student community. To date, over 2500 students have registered online. we know how to contact them, where they study, what they study and if they are in their final year.”

Most Councils have business newsletters, online directories and the like. Through the Economic Development Team’s ongoing dialogue with the business community, a ‘job matching service’ was promoted with businesses providing details about job vacancies.

Jonathan added “when the student information gathered reached a critical mass (late 2010), we were able to promote jobs to appropriate students. For example, if an IT firm is looking for a bachelor degree student in their final year, we have the ability to email the job opportunity directly to students that fit these criteria.”

For local business the scheme provided the previously missing platform that gives free access to locally educated talent. In the short time that the service has been functioning, over 20 students have

been employed by local businesses (with minimal promotion). Council is now looking to grow its unique job matching service through increased promotion to the business community.

Employing locally educated talent increases intellectual capital, professionalism and entrepreneurship – key ingredients for a business community to thrive. Employing locals also has social and environmental benefits.

whilst all this is occurring behind the scenes, the city centre retailers are benefiting from students who are spending money at their business.

Lessons Learned:

a) relationships, relationships! Over 100 organisations have been engaged through the program. At its most basic level, the SDCS has improved relationships with businesses and educational institutions. whilst directly providing businesses with sales and employees; students are provided with career pathways at educational institutions (in essence, enhancing their product). Chisholm Institute of TAFE has been so supportive, that they distribute a Splash Card to each of their 15,000 students. Monash University also distributes the cards.

b) rolling your sleeves up The team walked the streets of Frankston to sign businesses up to provide discounts and special offers. Even though it is a free service, the concept still needs to be sold to traders.

when it comes to the job matching service, do not ask businesses for extensive detail. Other institutions (government and educational) have job matching services that require detail to the nth degree –

“Unprecedented numbers of students from surrounding areas

are now requesting cards – having students from other areas coming

to Frankston to spend is a fantastic economic outcome.”

Student using the Splash Card



a quick email with information about the organisation and the position they want filled should suffice.

Do not underestimate the power of ‘traditional’ social media

In this day and age of tweeting and status updates, one cannot forget the dinosaur of social media – email. All job matching communications are carried out via email. It is personal, targeted and relevant.

c) Online campaigns still need offline promotion In the same vein as the previous point – the importance of traditional marketing is often

lost in campaigns that are predominantly online. The Splash Card and accompanying brochure (featuring each participating business and online registration instructions) is the backbone of the campaign. The ability for students to hold/read something and put it in their wallet keeps it front-of-mind. All participating businesses have point-of-sale and shop front promotional material.

Frankston’s Student Discount Card Scheme (Splash Card) was awarded the 2011 National Local Government Award in the ‘Inspired Cities’ category.

NatioNal EcoNomic DEvElopmENt

coNfErENcE 2011

The DigiTal economyfuturE EcoNomic opportuNitiEs

for govErNmENt, busiNEss aND rEgioNal orgaNisatioNs

rEgistratioN form/tax iNvoicEEconomic DEvElopmEnt AustrAliA limitED ABn 18123776394

to rEgistEr: Fax, phone, Email, mail or online at www.edaustralia.com.au/NEDc2011Email: [email protected] phoNE: (03) 8534 5003 fax: (03) 9530 8911 mAil: level 8, 574 st Kilda rd melbourne 3004

Attendees

Delegate 1: name

Full conference Day 1 Day 2 Dinner

position

Email

Delegate 2: name


position

Email

Delegate 3: name


position

Email

Delegate 4: name


position

Email

special dietary requirements

ContACt detAils Please fill in this section as well as above

organisation

Address

suburb postcode

ph

Costs Please indicate number of attendees for each of the below

nedC 2011 MeMbers rAtes[ ] x conference, ED Awards & Dinner $980 = [ ][ ] x conference (ED Awards & Dinner not incl) $860 = [ ][ ] x one day rate $525 = [ ][ ] x ED Awards & Dinner $130 = [ ]

nedC 2011 non-MeMbers rAtes[ ] x conference, ED Awards & Dinner $1125 = [ ][ ] x conference (ED Awards & Dinner not incl) $990 = [ ][ ] x one day rate $575 = [ ][ ] x ED Awards & Dinner $165 = [ ]

MAsterClAss[ ] x conference Attendee/member $200 = [ ][ ] x non conference / non member $260 = [ ]

Post ConferenCe tours[ ] x Willunga first release nBn site visit x members $120 = [ ][ ] x rDA Barossa Digital Wine and tourism members $120 = [ ][ ] x non members $150 = [ ]

totAl AMount = [ ]

PAyMent Methods Payment must be received before the event

chEquE ENclosED All cheques crossed and payable to Economic Development Australia ltd [EDA ltd is Gst registered, ABn 18 123 776 394]. mail cheques to level 8, 574 st Kilda rd melbourne 3004. please enclose your registration form.

plEasE DEbit my crEDit carD visa mastercard

card Holder’s name

card number Exp

please Forward me an invoice

purchase order number:

coNfirmatioN DEtails places for registered attendees are confirmed upon payment or issuing of tax invoice. please contact the registration officer at Economic Development Australia limited on 03 8534 5003 if invoice or confirmation has not been received within 10 days.caNcEllatioN policy A substitute delegate is always welcome. refud will be given ip to 3 working days prior to the event. otherwise, full payment where cancellation or non atendance not received in writing (fax or email) before the event. cancellations to be made to [email protected] or fax 03 9530 8911. Every effort will be made to contact each attendee should an event be rescheduled or cancelled by Economic Development Australia limited for any reason.iNDEmNity Economic Development Australia limited reserves the right to change the venue and/or speakers of any event due to circumstances beyond our control. in the event of changes to venue or speakers, or cancellation of the event, Economic

Development Australia limited is indemnified against any or all costs, damages, expenses, including legal fees, which are incurred by the attendee/s. in the case of venue change, all reasonable efforts will be made to inform attendees.privacy DisclosurE the collection of your personal information is governed by privacy laws. Your information is collected for the purposes of processing your registration or to respond to your request to receive information about this convention and other events by Economic Development Australia limited, and to market the products and services of the convention and our business associates. You may request to gain access to any of your personal information that we have collected. if you do not wish to have your information used for marketing purposes, please contact 03 8534 5003 or tick the following box

PleAse note: this rEgistratioN form sErvEs as a tax iNvoicE WhEN complEtED. plEasE rEtaiN a copy for your rEcorDs.

4-6 October, 2011, Stamford Plaza150 North Terrace, Adelaide, SA

NatioNal EcoNomic DEvElopmENt coNfErENcE 2011

4-6 october, 2011, stamford plaza150 North terrace, adelaide, sa

Department of Regional Australia,Regional Development and

Local Government

Gold SponSor: Silver SponSorS:

ConFerenCe pArTnerS

Peter CouChMAnConferenCe fACilitAtor

robErt bEllco-founder, intelligent

communities foundation

tim Williamsauthor uK White paper

connecting communities

DuNcaN brEmNEr stakeholder relations

NbN co

KatE cormicKExecutive Director of the institute for broadband Enabled society,

university of melbourne

gEof hEyDoNDigital Economy,

vp australia, alcatel-lucent

michaEl gillDirector, internet business

solutions, cisco

coliN griffithDirector, australian centre for broadband innovation

Dr hElEN thompsoNDirector, centre for ecommerce,

university of ballarat

chris haNcocKcEc aarNEt

www.edaustralia.com.au/NEDc2011

The DigiTal economy

National Economic Development Conference 2011 colour.indd 1-2 21/07/11 9:03 AM

development€¦ · • sustainable australia — suburban jobs – $100m over four years ($4m in...

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