UDIA calls on new Council to elevate the status of the Economic Development Branch

The President of the Sunshine Coast branch of the UDIA Frazer Dean says that the Sunshine Coast Community, Industry Groups and even the Sunshine Coast Economic Development Advisory Board are unanimous in their call to elevate Council‘s existing Economic Development Branch to a higher level within the organisation.

“We certainly praise the current Council’s efforts to date in relation to economic development however the UDIA supports a restructuring of the current corporate structure that has the Economic Development Branch incorporated under the Finance and Business Department which is lead by Greg Laverty.”

“The problem we have on the Sunshine Coast is that there appears to be little co-ordination or communication between the Regional Strategy and Planning Department and the Economic Development Branch which falls under the Finance and Business Department silo.  Our concern is that the new Town Plan scheduled for release after the Local Government elections has had very little input from the Economic Development branch due to its lower status,” Mr Dean said.

Division 12 Councillor and Chair of the Economic Development and Council Entrepreneurship Portfolio, Cr Lew Brennan is also a strong advocate for elevating the Economic Development Branch to a higher order.  

“I have been working on the elevation on the Economic Development Branch for some time now, and never more strongly than in the last four years since amalgamation.  To say I am passionate about Economic Development of the region and the elevation of the economic development branch is an understatement, it is an obsession and something I want to achieve if I am re-elected as a Councillor,” Cr Brennan said.

Mr Dean said that the forthcoming  UDIA Mayoral Forum to be held at the Maroochy RSL on the 24th February would be a great opportunity for mayoral candidates to outline their vision for Economic Development and how they will manage the Economic Development Branch.

“The UDIA believes that increasing budget allowances for the Economic Development Branch based on solid business plans with KPIs and also providing sufficient staffing to make this a reality is paramount to kick starting our economy,” Mr Dean said.

One thing that both Cr Brennan and Mr Dean both agreed upon was that any drive to increase the economic prosperity of the region would not come at the expense of the Coast’s enviable lifestyle and the environment.

“From the UDIA’s perspective, the time is right for businesses to invest in the local economy.  There are some great opportunities for current and new businesses to set up in growth areas such as Kawana Town Centre adjacent the $2.0B University Hospital and the Maroochydore Principal Activity Centre with its proposed Convention Centre, coupled with planned expansion of the Sunshine Coast Airport,” Mr Dean said.

Urban Development Institute of Australia (Queensland)
3 February 2012
UDIA calls on new Council to elevate the status of the Economic Development Branch

Permanent Link: UDIA calls on new Council to elevate the status of the Economic Development Branch
Publish Date: 03 Feb 12

All articles submitted by third parties or written by My Sunshine Coast come under our Disclaimer / Terms of Service