TASMAN REGIONAL & REMOTE AREA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TRAINING PROGRAM REPORT June 2012

Transcription

1 TASMAN REGIONAL & REMOTE AREA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TRAINING PROGRAM REPORT June 2012

2 INTRODUCTION The Tasman region population is dispersed with the majority of people centred in and around the township of Nubeena and localities of White Beach, Port Arthur, Premaydena, Saltwater River, Koonya, Taranna, Eaglehawk Neck and Murdunna. The population is relatively stable at approximately 2,300, which swells to between 8,000 and 9,000 as a result of tourists and visitors during summer who come to enjoy favourable beaches and fishing areas as well as the many tourist attractions. The region attracts approximately 250,000 visitors a year, 25% of total visitors to Tasmania. The Port Arthur Historic Site is one of the State's major tourist attractions, and provides residents with free access year round. The major business centre is Nubeena, which provides the region with a base including the Tasman Council, Tasman District School, shops, medical services, and pharmacy, as well as emergency services. The region boasts a number of boating and sporting clubs with tourism services catering for all ages and interests. It is also a base for local crayfish, salmon and shellfish industry. Tourism, agriculture, forestry and fishing are the major industries. With tourism facilities, accommodation, cafes and restaurants providing services for visitors and residents alike adding to the vibrancy and liveability of the region. The Tasman region has a relatively diverse economy and where it was once dominated by primary production it is now one of the most visited tourism destination in Tasmania, primarily due to the iconic Port Arthur attraction, making tourism a vital component of the region s economy. The majority of other businesses that operate in the region are small to medium enterprises across a wide range of sectors. THE TASMAN REGION REGIONAL AND REMOTE AREA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TRAINING PROGRAM (RRATP) The Tasman RRATP workshop was delivered over 28 th to 30 th of June 2012 and hosted by Tasman Council, Tasmania. The workshop was facilitated by three members of Economic Development Australia (EDA) Adam Saddler, Ray Davies and Matthew Gould and was delivered in three sessions (the full program is attached below). The Tasman RRATP was delivered in an informal, interactive but focused approach and it allowed issues to be explored and ideas to be tabled. Kate McCarthy (Tourism and Community Development Officer from the Tasman Council) is to be commended for her efforts. She was the principal on ground contact and organised the attendees, venues, social functions and local logistics. Perhaps the main point to emerge from the workshop was; from a Council perspective, it was agreed that economic development could attract more of a focus within the strategic plan, establishing a proactive strategic approach to economic development activities. This should also be supported by the business community, which currently lacks a representative group. The establishment of a business entity will be critical to providing the Council a platform for economic development. The development of a strong partnership between the Council and the business community, using existing structures of Council such as the Tourism and Economic Development Committee of Council,

3 will potentially assist the region in a common direction regarding economic development and to lobby Federal and State Governments, peak industry groups and undertaken investment attraction activities. The Tasman RRATP workshop participants included representatives of the Tasman Council, the Tasman District School, the Tasman Multi-Purpose Health Centre, Port Arthur Historic Site, private enterprise, RDA Tasmania and Dept of of Regional Australia, Local Gov t, Arts and Sport. The participants represented the communities of Nubeena, Port Arthur and Whitebeach. Attendees were: Jan Barwick Mayor; Roseanne Haywood Deputy Mayor; Alan Hull Councillor; Joan Fazackerley Councillor; Robert Higgins General Manager; Kate McCarthy Tourism and Community Development Officer; Bert Douglas Manager Community Multipurpose Health Centre; Ken Eldrigde Manager Tasman District School; Ben McHenry Private business: whisky distillery and bottling; Trish Hamilton Port Arthur and Tasman Tourism Association & Port Arthur Historic Site; Jen Newman RDA Tasmania; and Michaeli Buchanan Dept of Regional Australia, Local Gov t, Arts and Sport

4 THE PROGRAM REGIONAL AND REMOTE AREA ECONOMIC TRAINING PROGRAM TASMAN REGION Tasman Council, in partnership with Economic Development Australia, has organised a dynamic workshop on Economic Development Training for the region. The workshop will be facilitated by volunteer experts from the national body, Economic Development Australia (EDA). The aim of the program is to provide a facilitated discussion on an approach to economic development that is endorsed by EDA and identify and discuss priorities and possibilities for the Tasman region to progress economic development activities and build capacity within the region. The program is broken into three sessions. The Program Time Activity Venue Thursday 28th June 5.30pm Introduction of EDA facilitators and participants who s who in the room A short introduction to Economic Development Australia what it is and what it does (5-10 minutes) Presentation From Michaeli Buchanan Dept of Regional Australia, Local Gov t, Arts and Sport Tasman MPS 7.30pm Friday 29th June The EDA members will then provide information on their backgrounds and how they got into economic development and then deliver short individual case study presentations (15 minutes) on: Developing a representative business entity; Agriculture development and value adding; and Investment attraction. This session will close with a brief overview of the next day. Dinner conversation of local issues and challenges is encouraged over dinner Lucky Ducks, Main Rd, Nubeena * Presentation and discussion of the Economic Development toolbox Tasman MPS :00 Lunch presentation on the art of whisky distilling * Facilitated workshop on local issues and incorporation of aspects of the ED toolbox. Some issues that have been identified are: Value adding to primary production Seasonality impacts on tourism Ageing demographic and impacts on the workforce Investment attraction Tasman MPS

5 7.30pm Saturday 30th June Economic diversification This session is not limited to the above and these issues are identified to initiate discussion. Dinner EDA members would welcome any participants to join them for an evening meal (at your own cost) Wrap up session, priorities identification and tackling the where to now. This session will guide the development of the summary report. * Morning and afternoon teas will be provided at the Chambers Tasman MPS

6 OPPORTUNITIES The following opportunities where raised over the RRATP workshop. Some were discussed at length while others were just mentioned. They are placed in the table below to assist in the development of the Economic Development Plan, and should be integrated with the processes and model presented in the Economic Development tool box. Sector Concept/Idea Action/who Priority/status Creation of a business entity that provide the platform to engage with Business community to establish High the business community of the region a business entity Must be created by the business community and formed from the ground up EDA CEO, Matthew Gould Council happy to support/be a member but again demand and offered to return to assist in the actions must be from the business community establishment of an entity if Any regional governance body needs to be considerate of the there is demand from the broader industries and business sectors so it is important that business community and the agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, home based business etc are all basis of a proactive group considered, not just local town centre or retail type business formed. otherwise it is not true to the regions industries for ongoing development Business entity Various models can be worked on dependent on need if the workshop goes ahead Structure should be agreed at the outset by the majority A small working group can be the champions of the development of the entity for the first period ( 6 months) as agreed by the group Potential organisational templates to guide the formation of a business entity are within the at attached presentation. The community bank board was identified as a possible group to progress this concept. Tourism Exploration of the VFR market Work with PATTA to access this market Provision of information on the VFR market characteristics Medium EDA re Victorian VFR market Tourism Tasmania re Tasmanian

7 VFR market Shack owners Provide visitor and event information to this segment Undertake research into the motivation and visitation pattern of this segment of rate payers in the Tasman council region Council to progress this concept with PATTA Medium Cycling and MTB Improve access around cycle paths Information dissemination around existing MTB ride in the region Access to existing information particularly as it related to product requirement and development focusing on MTB Potential access to forestry tracks for MTB/recreation cycling EDA - Provision of MTB research existing within Tasmania Sport and Rec Tasmania is also another source f information Low Exploration of the orienteering sector within Tasmania Council to progress, perhaps through the T& ED committee of Council Low Industry growth Establish the region as A great place to retire Work with the health and aged care industry to determine potential future requirements of the industry in the area Gear up for the industry Establish family visiting quarter within existing age care units Linkage to school and vocational training curriculum Health care body to development plan Consider forming a working group to progress this concept Council, Health and Age Care representatives (State and Federal), Dept of Education High Council services Collective housing of service and maximum ultilisation of existing infrastructure facilities EDA - Provision of information regarding the Pyrenees Council s approach to collective housing of service See Attachment 1 Completed (at Attachment 1 of this report) Development of economic development plan Council to develop economic Within 6 mths

8 Sourcing of economic data for development of above plan development plan while reviewing the strategic plan Identification of Remplan as a potential source of economic data and contact details for Remplan in Victoria Completed ed to Kate McCarthy Other topics Website on welcome sign for information TBA What is the long term plan for the Tasman ie 15 to 20 years a collective vision Most likely addressed in the development of the economic development plan under the strategic plan review Improved streetscape of all townships Nubeena, including signage Would be part of an overall approach from Council Tapping into the Broadband for seniors program Tasman MPC Tapping into University assistance either from University of 3 rd Age, UTAS particularly around their Regional Development Institute Best outcome from NBN project Dissemination of Workshop information RRATP Participants Community/Council particularly if a business entity is formed Council RAATP Participants

9 HOW DO YOU KEEP IT GOING? The drivers to keep economic development going were discussed and the following have been identified, together with some other more general points. Specifically for the Tasman region, the drivers identified were: The disseminate information from the Tasman RRATP workshop; The establishment of a business entity, driven by the business community; The development of an economic development component with the Council s strategic Plan review; and The reinvigoration of the Tourism and Economic Development committee of Council. Some other general points for consideration are: Use the planning strategy to land your initiatives well in advance; Look for early small results, walk before you run and step up the pressure incrementally; Be prepared for the long run, establish partnerships and maintain them; Create/keep your vision and share it extensively, never stop telling the story; Create linkages to existing and planned regional strategies such as the Dept of Economic Development s regional economic development plans and the establishment of new regional tourism organisations; Maintain an up to date business database and associated capabilities; Don t assume that support for the idea or the project is always there, be flexible; and Stay creative and innovative and explore the science and evidence behind the projects. WHERE TO NOW In progressing economic development in the region, several angles where discussed but overall it was acknowledged that it have to come from within the region (whatever that may be) and there will be a need to adopt a strategic proactive approach to economic development. The following points are considered as important to this approach: 1. Surround yourself with positive likeminded people and don t let negativity ruin the vibe ; 2. Be proactive and not reactive; 3. Link/engage with other people, towns, regions, across the state and country that have a similar mind set, culture, synergies - build networks; 4. Implement an organisational economic development culture within Council that includes all Council s departments, has a commercial approach re customer service, which is responsive to rate payers/customers and empowers staff to provide services at a high level, everybody must be in it with the message coming from the top; 5. Manage the community so they do not have impossible expectations to meet; and 6. The future will be about leadership in economic development, ensuring that economic development is included in strategy vision/plan, integrated into the general role of the Council.

10 Contacts Adam Saddler, National Coordinator EDA RRATP Matthew Gould Executive Officer Economic Development Australia Level 8, 574 StKilda Road, Melbourne 3004 (From Flinders St, take the 3, 3a, 5, 6,16, 64 or 67 trams down StKilda Rd, Stop 26) PO Box 6137, StKilda Road, Central 8008 Ph: Fax: Mob: URL:

11 ATTACHMENT 1 PYRENEES SHIRE COUNCIL: COMMUNITY HUBS JOINT SERVICE PROVISION WITHIN MULTIPLE USE FACILITIES. Beaufort Community Resource Centre 72 Neill St Beaufort The BCRC was opened 11 years ago. The facility is open 9 5 seven days per week except Christmas Day (as an accredited VIC) and includes:- Visitor Information Centre Library Headquarters for Beaufort Community House and Learning Centre. BCHLC provide training from people hobbies and crafts to computer training, management and other courses on behalf of local Job Service Agencies Centrelink Access Point Training room with kitchenette (seats about 20) with Plasma TV and DVD Broadband for Seniors (2 computers allowing free internet plus training) Computer training area with 12 computers which is regularly used by BCHLC Small kitchenette for staff and participants in training In the past the facility has also provided office space for Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority staff member and Direct Recruitment staff member (JSA) Avoca Visitor Information and Community Centre, 122 High St Avoca A major renovation was completed in the first half of The facility is open 9 5 seven days per week except Christmas Day (as an accredited VIC) and includes:- Visitor Information Centre Library Centrelink Access Point Training room with kitchenette (seats about 20) Meeting rooms for community groups with kitchenette, Plasma TV DVD, data projector Broadband for Seniors (2 computers allowing free internet plus training) Waubra Community Hub The facility is located at the Waubra Recreation Reserve which hosts football, netball, cricket and bowls clubs. A rebuild was completed in 2011 so that the facility also incorporates a play group, kindergarten, community meeting rooms with commercial kitchen and improved change rooms for members of sporting clubs. The netballers no longer need to get changed in their cars and the venue is now suited to community functions and family events like weddings. We are presently putting out a tender for the Avoca Family and Childrens Centre project to replace the old kindergarten (contains asbestos) with a facility that offers:- Kinder

12 Long day care Maternal and Child Health Services A similar facility was developed at Beaufort two years ago The success of our grant applications to develop these facilities has been due to:- Good relationships between the CEO and our Council with State government departments (something that is worked at) Priorities identified in our Community Action Plans which then get pushed up the line to be included in Council and regional priorities for the Central Highlands group of Councils Buy in by local community via sporting clubs, schools, kindergarten groups, Community Banks etc. who contribute funds to the projects in partnership with Council Councils long term capital budget allocations towards priority projects

13 ATTACHMENT 2 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN/STRATEGY FRAMEWORK Identify the vision, challenge and invite contribution ED plan framework Aged care and health Education and Training Recreation Infrastructure Business Development Linkages with regional organisations ie RDA Tas Tourism Arts and Culture Key Result Area Timing Responsibility