Council’s Economic Development Unit (EDU) comprises a professional team established to facilitate sustainable economic growth and to enhance the commercial management of Council owned business operations.
“The EDU is working with a unified business community to develop economic development action plans at both the local area level and on a whole of LGA basis,” said Executive Manager Economic Development, George Cowan. “The engagement of chambers of commerce and business and industry stakeholders has been the key to success, with draft macro and micro plans due for release in coming weeks.”
At a strategic level, the Unit is focused on the enhancement of income, education and employment outcomes for the Clarence Valley, with particular emphasis on the improvement of business skills and capacity, facilitation of growth within new and established businesses and industries, developing business networks and attracting new investment to the area.
“The EDU is currently finalising Council’s first Economic Development Strategic Plan,” said George Cowan. “The plan will be a blue print to increase sustainable economic development activity for the next three to five years, building on the competitive advantage of the Clarence.
“The creation of the plan has involved extensive consultation and engagement processes with the community, business and industry and Government agencies.”
Clarence Valley is experiencing strong population growth and development particularly in the retail sector and in coastal communities. In 2004/05, Council processed 1,500 development applications valued at more than $150 million.
In February 2006 a new Bunnings Super Store and Aldi Supermarket were opened. Yamba Shopping Fair is undergoing a major expansion and approvals have been issued to double the size of Grafton Shoppingworld and a new Gerards Centre office and shops complex. Complimenting these developments has been significant investment by the State Government in a Forest Technology Centre at Trenayr and a redevelopment of the Grafton TAFE campus.
The TAFE expansion includes a media centre with high quality studio space providing significant support for growth and development in the creative industries sector. Economic development opportunities in the Clarence Valley are limited only by the imagination.
