This morning the Executive Committee of the Central Coast Regional Economic Development & Employment Strategy (REDES) met for its biannual meeting. The REDES is the New South Wales Central Coast’s long-term strategy to promote sustainable economic development and jobs growth on the Central Coast. It is a framework for collaboration to create the right environment for local jobs growth and a strong local economy.
The Executive Committee took the opportunity today to reflect on some of the recent achievements of the REDES stakeholders, especially in regards to job creation and recent infrastructure investment on the Central Coast.
Of particular note was the success of the Central Coast Infrastructure Priorities, identified under REDES, which has greatly assisted in presenting a single Central Coast voice on regional infrastructure needs. Over $400 million in funding commitments of priority projects has been achieved to date.
Phil Walker, Chair of RDACC said, “The recent outcomes resulting from the REDES and other regional collaboration efforts clearly demonstrate how Federal, State and Local Governments are now working together for the benefit of the entire Central Coast Region”.
“Now is a significant period for the Central Coast Community with many opportunities to seize and challenges to address. Ongoing regional collaboration will be essential to ensure that our government, business and regional leaders create a desirable and successful region for people to visit, live and invest.
Mr Walker said that 30,750 new jobs were needed on the Central Coast in the next twenty years.
“The December 2015 Quarterly Labour Market Report by the Department of Employment showed 154,900 Central Coast residents in employment. This is up from 146,300 a year ago and 136,800 in 2010, but the regions unemployment rate of 6.7% is still above the NSW figure of 5.8%.
“The REDES Executive is confident that Central Coast Regional Economic Development & Employment Strategy will continue to act as an effective conduit by building effective collaboration between governments and regional development stakeholders to provide strategic and targeted responses to economic issues affecting the Central Coast.”
