Crows Nest Community Growth Action Plan Economic Development Strategy Final Report

September 2015

Crows Nest Community Growth Action Plan

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 3 1 OUR TOWN ...... 4 1.1 Our People ...... 4 1.2 Our Workforce ...... 4 1.3 Our Key Industries ...... 4 1.4 Our Services and Facilities ...... 4 2 OUR STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES, OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS ...... 6 2.1 Strengths ...... 6 2.1.1 Community and Lifestyle ...... 6 2.1.2 Location ...... 6 2.2 Weaknesses ...... 6 2.2.1 Business and Investment ...... 6 2.2.2 Infrastructure ...... 7 2.2.3 Local Planning ...... 7 2.3 Opportunities ...... 7 2.3.1 Tourism ...... 7 2.3.2 Business, Investment and Infrastructure ...... 8 2.4 Threats ...... 8 2.4.1 Local Planning ...... 8 2.4.2 Community and Lifestyle ...... 8 3 OUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE ...... 9 3.1 Our Action Plan ...... 9 3.2 Identifying Our Key Priorities ...... 9 3.3 Our Key Priority Strategies ...... 10 3.4 Other Priorities Considered ...... 17

Crows Nest Community Growth Action Plan

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Toowoomba region is made up of a patchwork of rural townships. Each is unique, shaped by its own history, subject to different issues, challenges and opportunities. They are, however, similar in many respects to a large proportion of smaller rural townships across inland Australia that are changing in the face of the global urbanisation trend and evolving agricultural practices. Whilst these factors are changing the shape and feel of towns like Crows Nest there are still opportunities for the community to shape its destiny to ensure that Crows Nest remains a place where they, and their children, would chose to live. Success for Crows Nest is best determined by the residents themselves, based on their aspirations, ideals and value systems. In order to better understand what these are, Council facilitated a number of meetings with community members to draw out what issues the town is facing, identify what the potential solutions and opportunities might be and to determine which ones should be focussed on as a priority. These have been documented in this Community Growth Action Plan. The Plan identifies the six actions that the Crows Nest community agreed should be the priority for collective effort. They are: 1. Develop a Crows Nest Tourism Strategy. 2. Investigate opportunity to undertake a feasibility study with the purpose of investigating the viability of an indoor swimming pool to be open year-round. 3. Identify opportunities to attract increased number of caravan and RV tourists by utilising unused saleyards for free camping. 4. Lobby with Education Queensland to extend the local high school to include Year 11 and 12. 5. Improve the level of detailed information of Crows Nest on the TRC website by including a profile of the community and identify key events, attractions, facilities as well as investment opportunities for new businesses. 6. Investigate opportunities to establish free Wi-Fi access for local residents and visitors in Centenary Park. 7. Investigate opportunity to make Crows Nest a RV Friendly Town. These actions will be best achieved through the involvement and commitment of the broader Crows Nest community who, as residents, have the greatest interest in their success. Council will partner with the community, assist directly where possible, and endeavour to involve other regional stakeholders when required. The Community Growth Action Plan is a living document, and will be reviewed annually. These reviews will be an opportunity for the Crows Nest community to come together to celebrate successes, review what has been done and determine priority actions for the coming year. Council will play a supporting role in this process but maximum community involvement will ensure its relevance and increase the potential for success.

Crows Nest Community Growth Action Plan 1 OUR TOWN Located on the dividing range on the eastern edge of the Darling Downs, Crows Nest is a vibrant rural town 42 kilometres north of Toowoomba. The town’s location on the New England Highway makes Crows Nest an easy commute to and from Toowoomba as well as the broader region. Crows Nest has grown substantially from its origin as a stopping place for timber haulers bringing logs out of the surrounding mountain forest. Crows Nest provides a pleasant climate that benefit’s from the areas natural beauty amongst the dividing range. Crows Nest is a vibrant town that prides itself on being a friendly and welcoming town that provides a safe and secure environment for residents as well as visitors. Crows Nest offers a range of services and facilities to cater for local residents from young to old, as well as visitors. The town provides a rural feel which embraces a sense of community and belonging. The resident and business community are committed to ensuring the economic and social growth and prosperity of the town whilst maintaining its sense of community. 1.1 Our People Over the past decade, Crows Nest has recorded strong population growth increasing from 1,777 persons in 2001 to 2,068 persons in 2011, or by 1.5% per annum. As at 2014, Crows Nest had a population of 2,232 persons. The Crows Nest community is characterised by older residents with almost a third (30.8%) of residents aged 65 years and older at the time of the 2011 Census, with the towns children aged 0 to 14 years old accounting for 18.0% of the community. Nonetheless, Crows Nest prides itself on embracing the young and the old to create a cohesive community. The average age of Crows Nest residents was 46.9 years as at 2011. Crows Nest households are characterised by couple only households, which account for over half of the town’s households (53.9%), with less than a third of households characterised by families with children (29.7%). Crows Nest represents an asset rich community with almost three-quarters of households either fully owned or under mortgage as at 2011. 1.2 Our Workforce Crows Nest has consistently recorded lower unemployment levels in comparison to the Toowoomba Regional Council area with Crows Nest recording an unemployment rate of 4.4% as at 2013. Labour force participation rates have typically been lower in Crows Nest compared to the Toowoomba Regional Council area with Crows Nest recording a labour force participation rate of 68.1% as at 2013. Health care and social assistance, retail trade and manufacturing were the main employers of the Crows Nest resident workforce in 2011. 1.3 Our Key Industries An analysis of industry specialisation shows that Crows Nest has high levels of specialisation in agriculture, food retailing, road transport and residential care services, reflective of Crows Nest’s older demographic and connectivity to the New England Highway. 1.4 Our Services and Facilities Crows Nest is a strong community that prides itself on delivering the best for its residents and visitors within a safe and secure environment. The town offers a good mix of localised services and

Crows Nest Community Growth Action Plan facilities including a supermarket, newsagent, post office, real estate agents, banks, police and ambulance. The town centre appears to be currently underperforming with an estimated 825m2 of vacant shopfront (or 12.7% vacancy rate), posing a challenge to the local community to reinvigorate the town centre. With a high proportion of older residents, Crows Nest offers a range of aged care services and facilities supported by a medical centre. Crows Nest provides childcare and schooling facilities for young families with the local school catering for students up to Year 10. As a result, students seeking to complete Years 11 and 12 are required to travel beyond Crows Nest, which may result in families choosing to relocate outside the town. The town also provides a range of recreational facilities including a golf course, bowling, tennis, squash and gym facilities enhancing the local community’s social health and wellbeing.

Crows Nest Community Growth Action Plan

2 OUR STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES, OPPORTUNITIES AND THREATS Crows Nest’s connectivity to the New England Highway and strong business community offers a number of strategic opportunities to build and develop the town’s social and economic growth. 2.1 Strengths

2.1.1 Community and Lifestyle • Strong sense of community and identity: Crows Nest prides itself on being a tight knit community that works together to ensure the economic and social wellbeing of its residents; • Welcoming community: Crows Nest is a friendly community that prides itself on being welcoming to visitors whilst embracing local residents; • Crows Nest Folk Museum and Village: the museum and village is identified by the local community as a unique and valuable asset to Crows Nest providing a step back in time to tell the history of the area and its people. Buildings have been restored to ensure historical integrity and authenticity; • Good variety of businesses: Crows Nest offers a range of localised business and services that cater to the needs of local residents as well as visitors; and • Local events calendar: a local events calendar is promoted through the local Tourist and Progress Association website as a means of informing local residents and visitors to the town and district of upcoming community events.

2.1.2 Location • Good exposure to the New England Highway to attract visitors: the town is located on the New England Highway, offering good exposure to passing traffic with a large number of vehicles utilising the highway on a daily basis; • Proximity to Toowoomba: Crows Nest’s proximity and connectivity with Toowoomba is a key strength for the local community providing access to medical, educational, retail and entertainment options not provided within Crows Nest; and • Proximity to Brisbane: Crows Nest is in easy driving distance for residents as well visitors wishing to visit Brisbane, enhanced by the town’s connectivity to the New England Highway. 2.2 Weaknesses

2.2.1 Business and Investment • Small business has been transient in past: Crows Nest has managed to attract a range of small businesses in the past, however, these have generally been transient offering little economic stability for the town; • No whitegoods retail: Crows Nest has a variety of services and facilities, however, there is no whitegoods retailer in town. As such, residents are required to travel beyond Crows Nest to purchase white goods. The introduction of a white goods retailer to Crows Nest would improve the convenience and access of residents; • Insufficient employment opportunities: Despite Crows Nest recording relatively low unemployment levels, the local community perceives there are limited employment

Crows Nest Community Growth Action Plan

opportunities for residents, particularly youth. As such, residents are required to travel to other areas such as Toowoomba to access employment opportunities; and • Weak business group: the local business community is dedicated to ensuring the economic and social wellbeing of the town, however, it has been identified that the local business group is not as strong as it could be.

2.2.2 Infrastructure • Public transport: the community has expressed concerns with the current bus services between Crows Nest and Toowoomba particularly in regard to scheduling. Improvement to public transport would provide improved access for residents; • Safety concerns for residents with passing traffic on the New England Highway: Crows Nest’s location on the New England Highway can be problematic for local residents, particularly elderly residents leading to safety concerns amongst the local community; • No visitor information centre provided in town: with a dedicated visitor information centre provided in Hampton; • Local school only caters for students up to Year 10: students completing Years 11 and 12 are required to travel beyond Crows Nest, which may result in families in relocating to allow their children to complete their schooling; • Poor internet connectivity: with the advent of the digital economy, the internet has become a key piece of infrastructure in the economic development of communities. Poor internet connectivity poses a weakness in the town’s digital connectivity with the broader region; and • No clear signage for visitors: to better direct visitors to Crows Nest and the services and facilities available in town.

2.2.3 Local Planning • Development process impacting ease of development: Council’s development process is perceived as an impediment to development in Crows Nest, which may deter investment in the long term. 2.3 Opportunities

2.3.1 Tourism • Mountain biking, bush walking, orienteering, adventure tourism: Crows Nest’s location within the dividing range naturally lends itself to the opportunity to develop nature based activities (with bird watching and soft four wheel drive already being well-developed local activities) for local residents as well as visitors; • Increase in free camping: the popularity of free camping in recent times and the town’s location on the dividing range provides a natural option for camping; • Better utilisation of nearby lakes: Lake Perseverance and Lake Cressbrook are in close proximity to Crows Nest offering an opportunity to better capitalise on the region’s natural assets; and • Motorcycle tourism: Crows Nest’s connectivity with the New England Highway provides a natural opportunity to cater for motorcycle tourism.

Crows Nest Community Growth Action Plan

2.3.2 Business, Investment and Infrastructure • Vacant buildings (near bakery) could house new businesses: the town has an estimated 825m2 of vacant shopfront offering opportunity to attract and retain new businesses to Crows Nest to enhance the towns vibrancy and offer; • Caravan parking near square: Crows Nest’s connectivity with the New England Highway enhances the attractiveness of the town to RVs. The ability to provide sufficient and easy parking options for RVs is likely to further enhance the town’s attractiveness; • Dump point making caravanning more attractive: the installation of a free dump point in Crows Nest that is visible and easily accessible to visitors provides an opportunity to enhance the attractiveness of the town for RVs; • Underutilised sale yards site on outskirts of town: the ability to identify underutilised assets represents a strategic opportunity to capitalise on key assets to develop a catalyst for economic growth; • Leverage off health employment and facilities: Crows Nest is characterised by older residents with a high proportion of residents aged 65 years and older, providing an opportunity to offer a range of services and facilities to cater for this demographic; • Modification of growth plan to incorporate Crows Nest: the existing population growth plan for this corridor excludes Crows Nest as a town earmarked for increased population growth; and • Marketing opportunity through airport: airport marketing of Crows Nest represents a good opportunity to easily promote Crows Nest to visitors in the region. 2.4 Threats

2.4.1 Local Planning • Impact of fees on variability of industrial growth: development costs and fees are seen as impediments to industrial growth within Crows Nest; • Representation within Council: the amalgamation of the previous Crows Nest Shire Council with Toowoomba has resulted in a perceived lack of local representation of Crows Nest in Council posing a potential threat of local issues being overlooked; and • Control over town planning determining where development located: the development of local planning controls without a pragmatic approach can pose a perceived threat to development opportunities in town.

2.4.2 Community and Lifestyle • Services for increasingly aged population: the continued aging of the local population poses a potential threat to the current and future provision of aged care services and facilities to continue to cater for the town’s older residents; and • Low involvement of youth in community groups: like many rural towns, the ability to encourage youth involvement in local community groups poses challenges in shaping the future of the local town as well as instilling an overall sense of community pride, involvement and responsibility.

Crows Nest Community Growth Action Plan

3 OUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE 3.1 Our Action Plan Vision: To build and develop Crows Nest to achieve sustainable economic and lifestyle benefits for the district. To promote the district as an exceptional place to live, work, invest and visit. Working towards our vision for the future requires the Crows Nest community and Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) to work together as one to nurture the economic and social development of Crows Nest as an exceptional place to live, work, invest and visit by identifying the actions required and committing to them. These include: • Local Governance and Planning: identifying those key actions that can be implemented by Council that will assist in fostering the economic and social growth and development of Crows Nest; • Community: identifying those key actions that can be undertaken by the local resident and business community with Council support to foster the economic and social well-being of Crows Nest; • Infrastructure: identifying those key actions required to improve and introduce new infrastructure within Crows Nest to enhance the economic and social development of Crows Nest; • Business and Investment: identifying those key actions required to attract and retain key business and development opportunities to foster the economic growth and development of Crows Nest; and • Tourism: identifying those key actions that could assist in increasing the number and frequency of tourists to Crows Nest. 3.2 Identifying Our Key Priorities At a community workshop held in May 2015, the local Crows Nest community identified the key priorities to initiate Crows Nest’s economic development strategy. These key priorities were selected from a list of 27. The seven key priorities receiving the most votes, in order, include: • Develop a Crows Nest Tourism Strategy; • Investigate opportunity to undertake a feasibility study with the purpose of investigating the viability of an indoor swimming pool to open year-round; • Identify opportunities to attract increased number of caravan and RV tourists by utilising unused saleyards for free camping and dump point; • Lobby Education Queensland to extend the local high school to include Year 11 and 12; • Improve the level of detailed information of Crows Nest on the TRC website by including a profile of the community and identify key events, attractions, facilities as well as investment opportunities for new businesses; • Investigate opportunities to establish free Wi-Fi access for local residents and visitors to Centenary Park; and • Investigate opportunities/merits to make Crows Nest a RV friendly town. These key priorities serve to cultivate the implementation of Crows Nest’s economic development strategy over the next 12 months through the active commitment of the local community with support from Toowoomba Regional Council as appropriate.

Crows Nest Community Growth Action Plan

3.3 Our Key Priority Strategies Crows Nest Action 1

Develop a Crows Nest Tourism Strategy.

A Tourism Strategy unique to Crows Nest would help guide tourism development and identify opportunities for growth. Crows Nest & District Tourist & Progress Association has the capacity to shape the direction of future tourism development within the community.

HOW WHO

The TRC Tourism & Events Branch is in the process of developing a Crows Nest & District Regional Tourism Strategy. When this document is finalised, organise Tourist & Progress to obtain a copy and review. Association Request a workshop be hosted in the community by the TRC Tourism & Crows Nest & District Events Branch to discuss the potential for a strategy specific to Crows Tourist & Progress Nest. Identify tourism offerings within Crows Nest that complement Association the regional strategy. Discuss opportunity for TRC to engage a consultant to facilitate this Crows Nest & District process. Tourist & Progress Association Identify an implementation plan that combines actions from the Crows Crows Nest & District Nest Strategy and the Regional Tourism Strategy. Tourist & Progress Association The Toowoomba Regional Council Stakeholder Engagement Crows Nest & District department manages the “What’s on” section on the Toowoomba Tourist & Progress Regional Council website. Ensure that all local events and activities are Association accurately listed. Begin to develop tourism offerings within the community. Potential for Crows Nest & District a club or group of volunteers to offer guided bushwalks. Tourist & Progress Association Leverage the High Country brand that is established in the Crows Nest Crows Nest & District region. Promote the High Country Drive route to day-trippers from Tourist & Progress areas such as Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Association Liaise with Southern Queensland Country Tourism to identify strengths Crows Nest & District and opportunities. Tourist & Progress Association Encourage diversification through tourism product development based Toowoomba Regional on the cultural, natural and built assets of the region. Council

Crows Nest Community Growth Action Plan

Crows Nest Action 2

Investigate opportunity to undertake a feasibility study with the purpose of investigating the viability of an indoor swimming pool to be open year-round.

The Crows Nest pool is a six lane, 25 metre solar heated pool with a shade covered heated toddler’s pool and an access ramp that assists users with mobility challenges to enter and exit the pool. Enclosing the pool would allow users to access the facility year-round and for programs to be offered 12 months of the year benefiting the overall wellbeing of users and increasing recreational opportunities for community members.

HOW WHO

Review TRC’s Regional Aquatic Strategy, the long term, region-wide Crows Nest & District strategy for its aquatic facilities and services. The Draft Strategy does Tourist & Progress not recommend an enclosure for the pool. Association Request a meeting with appropriate TRC representatives to gain an Crows Nest & District understanding of the factors considered by the strategy in determining Tourist & Progress that an enclosure was not considered appropriate for the pool for the Association term of the Regional Aquatic Strategy. Also seek an estimate of the costs involved in enclosing the pool. Seek assistance from TRC and State Development to develop a business Crows Nest & District case for investment into a feasibility study into an enclosure for the Tourist & Progress pool. The business case will need to expand on those factors Association considered in the Strategy development. Monitor funding programs that have potential to deliver required funds for enclosing the pool and request cooperation and support from TRC to submit an application where appropriate. Seek sporting events that could be hosted at the Crows Nest pool Crows Nest & District during the summer. Tourist & Progress Association Investigate additional aquatic programs that could be provided at the Toowoomba Regional Crows Nest Pool that would increase the use of the facility and improve Council the return on investment.

Crows Nest Community Growth Action Plan

Crows Nest Action 3

Identify opportunities to attract increased number of caravan and RV tourists by utilising unused saleyards for free camping.

The old saleyards property on the North side of town opposite the showgrounds is owned by TRC and is currently utilised by TRC to store construction materials. Due to its large size and location relatively close to town with excellent highway access it could be a potential location for a free overnight camping site.

HOW WHO

Contact Toowoomba Regional Council Construction and Maintenance Toowoomba Regional department to understand how the land is currently being used. Council Contact Toowoomba Regional Council Property Services department to Toowoomba Regional discuss the possibility of allocating some of this land for free overnight Council caravan/RV parking. Contact Toowoomba Regional Council Water and Waste Services Toowoomba Regional department to identify if the nearby water and sewer lines can be Council easily accessed. Work with TRC to develop a site plan and identify expected costs Crows Nest & District associated with the project. Tourist & Progress Association Determine the structural integrity of the shelter located on the Toowoomba Regional property as this structure has potential of offering a covered area for Council users. Identify a long-term vision for the site and any upgrades that may take Crows Nest & District place in future years (barbeque, toilet, showers). Tourist & Progress Association Present case to Toowoomba Regional Council and lobby for funding. Crows Nest & District Tourist & Progress Association Crows Nest & District Tourism & Progress Association should apply to Crows Nest & District CMCA to attain RV Friendly Town status, link to priority 7. Tourist & Progress Association If this location is deemed unfeasible, an alternative solution may be to Crows Nest & District approach the Crows Nest Show Society to discuss the potential for the Tourist & Progress Crows Nest Showgrounds to be offered for low-cost camping and a Association dump point. Contact TRC Tourism & Events Branch to seek involvement in the Crows Nest & District upcoming development of a Regional RV Strategy. Tourist & Progress Association

Crows Nest Community Growth Action Plan

Crows Nest Action 4

Lobby with Education Queensland to extend the local high school to include Year 11 and 12.

The provision of Year 11 and 12 in Crows Nest would encourage families to live in the community and may reduce relocations. Anecdotal evidence suggests some families move away from Crows Nest as their children approach high school age to reduce the inconvenience of having to attend a high school away from the town. Currently, many children take a bus to Highfields for secondary school.

HOW WHO

Select a few members of the community passionate about this cause Crows Nest & District and develop a task force dedicated to working towards the goal. Tourist & Progress Association Meet with Scott Edmunds, Principal of Crows Nest State School, to Education Task Force discuss the issue from their standpoint and source enrolment figures and catchment information. Seek latest population projection data from TRC that will assist in Education Task Force building a case. Request meeting with appropriate Department of Education Education Task Force Queensland representatives to discuss potential for Year 11 and 12 in Crows Nest or possible alternative methods of delivery. Request letter of support from TRC. Education Task Force Lobby Councillors and appropriate local members of Parliament to Education Task Force extend the local high school to include Year 11 and 12.

Crows Nest Community Growth Action Plan

Crows Nest Action 5

Improve the level of detailed information of Crows Nest on the TRC website by including a profile of the community and identify key events, attractions, facilities as well as investment opportunities for new businesses.

Information currently available on the Toowoomba Regional Council website specific to Crows Nest is too sparse. Additional details are warranted to better communicate the history of Crows Nest, articulate what makes Crows Nest unique and welcome readers to visit the town.

HOW WHO

Include link to Toowoomba Regional Council website on the Crows Nest Crows Nest & District Info website. Tourist & Progress Association Include link to Crows Nest & District Tourist & Progress Association on Toowoomba Regional the Toowoomba Regional Council website. Council Provide more Crows Nest specific content to the Online Communities Crows Nest & District section of Toowoomba Regional Council Stakeholder Engagement Tourist & Progress department by calling 131 872 or emailing Association [email protected] Add information of all upcoming events to Council’s online Events Crows Nest & District Register. There is no cost associated with using this platform. Tourist & Progress Association

Crows Nest Community Growth Action Plan

Crows Nest Action 6

Investigate opportunities to establish free Wi-Fi access for local residents and visitors in Centenary Park.

Availability of free Internet would make Crows Nest more welcoming to the public and will help to activate the space in Centenary Park. TRC is working with Telstra to be part of the national Telstra Air rollout such that free public Wi-Fi would be enabled by the Telstra Air network in locations across the Toowoomba region.

HOW WHO

Negotiate with Telstra to roll-out their Telstra Air program. Identify Toowoomba Regional preferable locations throughout the region for Wi-Fi hot spots. Council Recommend Centenary Park to Telstra as an ideal location in Crows Toowoomba Regional Nest. Council Conduct a feasibility study of all locations recommended by Council. Telstra Lobby for TRC to select Crows Nest as one of the final Wi-Fi locations Crows Nest & District included in this roll-out. Tourist & Progress Association Install signage identifying free Wi-Fi in Centenary Park. Toowoomba Regional Council Investigate ways local businesses can be promoted on the landing Crows Nest & District page. Identify if there is an opportunity to highlight businesses and Tourist & Progress available activities in Crows Nest. Association Actively promote access to free Wi-Fi and host events that activate the Crows Nest & District space. Tourist & Progress Association

Crows Nest Community Growth Action Plan

Crows Nest Action 7

Investigate opportunity to make Crows Nest a RV Friendly Town.

Crows Nest’s profile within the Australian caravanning community could be raised if it were officially recognised as an RV Friendly Town by the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA).

HOW WHO

To obtain this status, it is essential that Crows Nest provide the Crows Nest & District following amenities: Tourist & Progress  Provision of appropriate parking within the town centre, with Association access to a general shopping area for groceries and fresh produce. These spaces need to be clearly marked as caravan parking. TRC should be engaged to identify and allocate suitable short-term parking locations for caravans and provide appropriate signage.  Provision of short term, low cost overnight parking (24/48 hours) for self-contained RVs, as close as possible to the CBD. At the moment, Crows Nest does not have free overnight parking for caravans. Paid camping is available at the Crows Nest Caravan Park and at the Crows Nest National Park. Investigate opportunity to have overnight parking at the unused Saleyards along the New England Highway (as per Action 3)  Access to potable water. Needs to be located with the free camping location, so would be a consideration when selecting a potential site.  Access to a free dump point at an appropriate location. There is a dump point in Crows Nest Caravan Park. Contact the owner and discuss if an agreement can be made to satisfy the requirement for RV Friendly Town status. Toowoomba Regional Council Water & Waste department should also be engaged in this process for a long-term opportunity of installing one at the saleyards. Once CMCA requirements are met, prepare an application for RV Crows Nest & District Friendly Town status that is endorsed by Council. Contact the TRC Tourist & Progress Tourism & Events Branch for support. Association Monitor specialised freecamping websites such as Wikicamps Australia Crows Nest & District and add any new details relevant to Crows Nest to build national Tourist & Progress awareness of the new facility. Association Promote RV Friendly Status on local websites such as the Crows Nest Crows Nest & District Community Website, TRC Website etc. Tourist & Progress Association Monitor use of space allocated to caravan parking to determine if it is Crows Nest & District effective. Tourist & Progress Association

Crows Nest Community Growth Action Plan

3.4 Other Priorities Considered

LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND PLANNING Action Rationale Identify opportunities to ease planning Farm Stays attract tourists who inject new restrictions that may limit the development of money into the local economy. This provides farm stay accommodation. local farmers with assistance on their property and has potential to be more of a prevalent industry in Crows Nest. Acknowledge the differential in urban and Regional communities are losing potential regional development price points by development to Toowoomba and surrounding implementing lower TRC development related local governments as TRC development fees and fees and charges for Crows Nest. charges are not reflective of the location and market conditions. The disparity of fees has been identified as a weakness of Crows Nest.

COMMUNITY Action Rationale Identify two individuals in the community Having one or two people identified to find and responsible for finding grants and applying to identify relevant grant funding programs will relevant funding schemes. help the community accomplish desired projects. Work with local community groups to investigate Supporting local advocates and community opportunities to better support place making groups wishing to enhance the appearance of initiatives and beautification projects in Crows the town will help foster community pride. The Nest to enhance the appearance of town. aesthetic appeal of a town has a lasting impression with visitors.

INFRASTRUCTURE Action Rationale Improve gateway entrances into town by Conveys a consistent image throughout the TRC installing new signs with the new regional boundaries. Provides an appealing gateway into branding. Crows Nest welcoming motorists to the community. A region wide signage strategy is nearing completion. Meet with Bus Queensland to investigate Bus Queensland currently operates return opportunities through increased and more services from Crows Nest to Toowoomba, frequent services between Crows Nest and Monday to Friday. Public transport is not Toowoomba. favourable for youths working in the afternoon as the final service of the day ends in Toowoomba.

Crows Nest Community Growth Action Plan

BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT Action Rationale Identify opportunities for Crows Nest in relation Crows Nest can leverage development to the Brisbane West Wellcamp Airport, opportunities due to its proximity to these Toowoomba Second Range Crossing, proposed assets. Raising awareness of the alternative Inland Rail and Toowoomba Enterprise Hub. modes of transportation available may benefit local industry. Identify gaps in the existing local range of The identification of a niche market will help services and facilities and actively target propel the community as a destination. companies to fill the identified gaps such as Centenary Park is identified as a strength of shops, arts and crafts, etc. Crows Nest providing a unique atmosphere to leverage and develop. Enhancing the main street square with boutique shops could help attract tourists to Crows Nest. It’s close enough to Toowoomba to warrant a shopping & lunch excursion if supporting retail were available. Identify and collate information regarding any A compiled register of underutilised assets could underutilised assets in Crows Nest that could provide renewed development or investment provide renewed development/investment opportunities. opportunities in an underutilised assets register. Develop an Investment and Liveability An investment prospectus summarizes the Prospectus that can be utilised by TRC, TSBE, condition of Crows Nest and can be used to DSDIP and the community to promote business highlight desired areas of growth, a valuable tool and residential growth by highlighting the best of for investment attraction. Crows Nest. Identify opportunities to provide skills based Department of Education and Training have training programs within Crows Nest for local programs that assist employers with the hiring residents –such as local apprenticeships for local and training of youth. This encourages skilled youths. youth in the workforce. Work with the Department of State Accessing available resources will help build the Development, Infrastructure and Planning and capacity of the Crows Nest & District Tourist & the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce to Progress Association and ultimately enhance the investigate opportunities to better support the efficiency of the organization. professionalism and sustainability of the Crows Nest & District Tourist & Progress Association and the Crows Nest Business Association.

Crows Nest Community Growth Action Plan

TOURISM Action Rationale Investigate opportunities to better promote The High Country Drive is promoted on the TRC Crows Nest as part of the High Country Drive. website. Greater promotion of the route has the potential of attracting day-trippers to Crows Nest from areas such as Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Investigate opportunities to better integrate the Inclusion of Crows Nest events on the TRC Events Crows Nest events calendar with Council’s Register may help boost awareness across the events calendar register. region and increase attendance. Investigate opportunity to develop adventure Opportunity to leverage proximity to the tourism in Crows Nest National Park (e.g. National Park and help establish outdoor orienteering, mountain biking, high ropes recreation activities. Immediate opportunity is course, 4wheel drive, etc). the 2016 National Schools Orienteering Championships. Investigate opportunities to leverage tourism Potential to attract tourists for nature hikes. opportunities from proximity of Crows Nest to nearby dams. Investigate opportunities to host additional Opportunity to develop a festival that caters to a festivals (e.g. local wine festival, vintage cars). special interest crowd, building on the potential of encouraging retailers that do the same. Investigate opportunities to better promote The Summer Tunes program provides free, live Crows Nest’s involvement in Council’s Summer music and is a great way to relax with friends Tunes Program. and family on a Sunday afternoon. Increasing awareness and growing attendance of the event may warrant more dates, thus more appealing to locals and visitors alike. Investigate potential opportunities to develop a Community sees benefit in having a Visitor community operated visitor information centre Information Centre in Centenary Park. Council in Crows Nest by identifying where this would be currently operates a Visitor Information Centre best located and how to best operate it. in Hampton, down the road from Crows Nest. There is potential to attract motorists travelling through town from the North if there were a venue catering to them. Investigate opportunities to develop key cycle Cycling is a growing sport and the identification routes through Crows Nest by establishing key of prime cycle routes for this target market is an cycle routes between Crows Nest and opportunity for Crows Nest. It has the potential Toowoomba. to attract avid cyclers to the community integrating Crows Nest into their route.