There is a lot about to happen in Glen Innes Highlands and the common theme is MORE – more investment, more doctors, more hospital facilities, more infrastructure, more tourism and much more....
This financial year we’re focused on delivering a new Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan to ensure our town’s future is vibrant, prosperous and delivering against our community’s expectations.
The new paradigm for Regional Economic Development is a Place Making approach, but what does that mean?
‘The most widely understood definition of placemaking is the practice of creating or enhancing a community’s assets to improve its overall attractiveness and livability. This includes large-scale projects such as the creation of public spaces and alternative transportation infrastructure, but also smallscale efforts such as pop-up retail and downtown beautification.’
‘In the New Economy, knowledge-sector jobs are faster-growing and more lucrative than professions with more routine functions. Consequently, communities are changing the way they approach economic development. Instead of differentiating themselves primarily by transportation access, low costs, proximity to natural resources, or other traditional competitive advantages, many communities today are attracting multi-generational talent by becoming desirable places to live"
Source: Big Sky Economic Development
The development of an Economic Development Strategy (EDS) is a critical document in assisting communities to develop a consistent approach and focus to leverage and achieve economic development outcomes.
An EDS also acts as strategic document for Council that aids advocacy efforts with Federal and State government. In addition an EDS builds confidence for potential investors and/or businesses seeking to relocate to the region. It would also serve as a guide for the development of the next Delivery Program under the objectives of the Community Strategic Plan ensuring alignment and progress to achieve economic, community and social outcomes.
The 2019-20 Operational Plan action item ED 1.1.1.1 is to “Undertake a review of the existing Economic Development Strategy and develop a ‘Whole of Place’ Economic Development Strategy & Action Plan to 2025”. The operational plan targets to achieve this action item are:
1. Develop a framework for a ‘Whole of Place’ approach to Economic Development by 31 December, 2019
2. Provide an allocation of $25,000 in the 2019/20 Operational Plan to utilise Regional Development Australia Northern Inland as project consultants
3. Develop an Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan to 2025 by June 2020.
Developing and implementing a new approach to Economic Development won’t be easy but it is possible!
The following is a list of articles and references around Place-Making as a way of delivering Economic benefit to communities (in case you’re interested).
The European Business Review – Economic Development: It’s About Placemaking
The Barca Report – An Agenda for a Reformed Cohesion Policy
SEGRA – Placed Based Economic Development: three case studies
UTS – The Role of Local Government in Local & Regional Economic Development
The Glen Innes Severn Council’s slogan is ‘Embracing Change, Building on History’ and continues its mission to be a ‘can-do’ Council.
In supporting start-up and new ideas Council have a Business Incentive Fund which is available to new businesses wishing to establish in Glen Innes Highlands.
Council also has a procurement policy that favours local businesses and helps with grant applications. Business owners can also use Council resources to promote job opportunities.
Alongside our associations and business community Council encourages and supports businesses relocating or starting up in the Glen Innes Highlands that contribute to employment opportunities and a vibrant economy.
A new purpose build Regional Netball and Sporting Facility is now fully funded.
The Project is the construction of a new two court indoor stadium to facilitate the growth of netball in Glen Innes and the surrounding region, and which will also have the capability to accommodate other sporting, recreation and community uses through co-location and shared use of facilities.
The Project responds to identified needs across a range of sporting and recreation uses, and will benefit people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities by making Glen Innes residents more active, more often
The Centennial Parklands, home of the Australian Standing Stones by the end of FY18/19 have a Plan of Management and a Master Plan for the future use and development of the recreational area.
An ambitious plan to utilse the area to bring together Ngoorabul and Celtic Heritage, provide a system of pathways linked to the shared pathways throughout town and provide a facility that can attract the conference market, build the Australian Celtic Festival and improve services to the community and tourists.
The New England Rail Trail feasibility study is now moving into a Business Case to determine the viability and funding required to build this active traveler initiative and attract more tourists to the region as well as provide a value-add for the community to engage in healthy activity in our great outdoors.
This project is in partnerships with Armidale Regional Council, the community and the New England Rail Trail Group.
Glen Innes has already attracted two new doctors to existing surgeries and is supporting a new doctor’s surgery with an additional two doctors to be built in Glen Innes.
This is and continues to eradicate a key barrier to moving to Glen Innes.
A $20million upgrade to Glen Innes promised by Adam Marshal, Member for Northern Tablelands will improve the health services for the local community and its surrounding villages.
The overall aim of the Glen Innes Sporting Facilities Review and Master Plan study is to determine the most effective and efficient development of sporting facilities for the LGA into the future. The overall result will be a suite of facilities and spaces that will actively encourage and support increased participation in sport and recreation by LGA residents.
The report provides an overview of the study process to prepare nine master plans, including the research and consultation undertaken, the key findings from the study, the new vision for eight sporting and recreation sites (two options for the Wilson Park precinct), and a costed and prioritised project implementation plan for each site.
The existing Soccer & Rugby is being upgraded through NSW Government funding.
The upgrade to the sporting infrastructure includes:
1. Resurfacing the sporting fields and upgrading the amenities block which includes storage
2. A Rebuilt doorway to allow separate access to showers and toilets, expanded canteen and a new verandah and roof for an undercover area
3. The Rugby clubhouse will also be upgraded including storage, dressing rooms, new toilet and showers, baby change room and a disabled toilet; A concrete walkway will be installed from the car park to the clubhouse.
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