Turning community ideas into economic opportunities
Council is making steady progress on Phase Two of its Economic Development Strategic Action Plan. Funded by TSRA, Council has worked with Emver Partners in the last few months to meet with small businesses, stakeholders, community members, leaders and Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC) Chairs across the region. These conversations have given people an opportunity to share their ideas, priorities and aspirations for the economic future of our 15 communities.
Through this engagement, we identified 75 potential pathways for economic development across the outer islands. The team is now working to bring these ideas together into five strategic objectives. These will help guide economic development over the next 10 years. The next step will be turning the ideas and priorities gathered from the engagement into a clear direction and practical framework for the future.
Phase Two builds on the findings of Council’s Economic Development Community Engagement Report. This was completed during Phase One. The first phase conducted online surveys, stakeholder interviews and face-to-face engagement across all 15 TSIRC communities. It was the most comprehensive economic engagement process undertaken across the Outer Islands.
Phase One captured more than 300 surveys, 50 stakeholder interviews and over 200 hours of on-island engagement. The findings highlighted the importance of greater local control, sustainable growth and culturally aligned economic opportunities. Communities also identified industries that could support jobs, businesses and long-term economic development.
Phase Two is taking these findings a step further by working with communities and stakeholders to identify the priorities that can shape a 10-year economic development strategy.
Mayor Mosby highlighted that “our communities know what works for their islands and what opportunities exist. This strategy is about bringing those ideas together and creating a clear pathway for economic development that is shaped by our people.”
The strength of this strategy is its focus on each community. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, Council is following its own ‘Look. Listen. Adapt.” strategy. The long-term aim is to support business development, create employment opportunities and strengthen local economies, island by island.
Big eso to TSRA for funding both Phase One and Two, to Emver Partners for their work on the project, and to everyone across Council and our communities who has taken the time to share their ideas and contribute to this important process.
