Regional Economic Development Strategy Vision 2018 - 2022

Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Economic Development Strategy Vision 2018 - 2022

A place offering an ideal lifestyle and home to a diverse, smart economy, driven by the initiative and innovation of its people. Preface The NSW Government has assisted local councils Importantly, the Strategy should be viewed as the first For further information about the Regional Economic and their communities to develop 37 Regional stage of a process that will assist those with an interest Development Strategies Program please contact CERD Economic Development Strategies across regional in the economic development of the Region, on (02) 6391 3025 or [email protected] NSW. Each strategy is designed around one or particularly councils, communities and local more local government areas that form a functional businesses, in planning their future economic activities. economic region as defined by economic data and It provides a vehicle for engaging the community in a community input. ‘conversation’ about regional needs and priorities, assists in bringing together key stakeholders and While the strategies have been developed using mobilising resources, and in so doing, can facilitate consistent methodology, each is a product of faster access to dedicated NSW Government funding, detailed data analysis and local community such as the Growing Local Economies Fund, as well consultation to ensure ownership through a ‘bottom- helping to capitalise upon other economic up’ process: it sets out a vision for the region, the opportunities. strategies, and early stage actions required to achieve the vision. This Strategy, prepared by Corview, on behalf of Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council, key Regional Economic Development Strategies stakeholders and the broader regional community, articulate a framework for identifying actions crucial benefited from economic-analytical assistance from to achieving the regional vision. Projects listed the NSW Government’s Centre for Economic and within this Strategy should therefore be viewed as Regional Development (CERD). example projects that have emerged from the initial application of the framework. Adoption of these The Strategy is presented in two documents, the projects would be subject to further evaluative Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Economic processes. Development Strategy 2018 - 2022 (this document) which allows the reader to quickly and easily The power of the Strategy is its ability to be used on determine key content, while the accompanying an ongoing basis to identify additional high value Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Economic projects over time. By complementing existing Development Strategy 2018 - 2022 - Supporting funding processes, these strategies present new Analysis details the Strategy methodology, evidence opportunities to strengthen and increase investment and the strategy development process. in regional development across NSW.

2 Introduction The Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Economic • endowments - key features of the natural These strengths suggest some key strategic Development Strategy 2018 - 2022 (the Strategy) environment, built environment, geography and imperatives: establishes a long-term economic vision for society specific to the region or location 1. improve the digital connectivity and access to Queanbeyan-Palerang (the Region). • stakeholder consultation – ‘on the ground’ harness the innovative capacity of the workforce Queanbeyan-Palerang is located in south-east of feedback on local economic conditions and 2. re-establish the town centres as ‘Places for People’ NSW, adjoining Canberra and the Australian Capital forward-looking assessments of opportunities, issues, gaps and risks and initiatives to help shape Territory (ACT). Queanbeyan, Bungendore and 3. grow the population and internal markets of the the future. Braidwood are the Region’s major centres, served Region by the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council The Strategy also takes account of regional risks and since 2016. how they might be addressed. 4. further develop specialised agriculture and food and cultural tourism. While the objective of this Strategy is similar to Queanbeyan-Palerang’s key endowments lie in its This Strategy began with its guiding vision for the previous local strategies – to support economic integration with the ACT economy; highly–skilled, Region’s future. development for social advancement across the highly educated population; access to Canberra’s community – it takes a new approach to economic influential national institutions; and appealing balance Next we establish the composition and defining planning. of lifestyle and employment opportunities to attract economic characteristics and strengths of the Region new residents. today. Fundamental to this approach are the distinctive and These endowments are the basis of the Region’s unique strengths of the Region. Economic principles Finally, the strategic imperatives suggested by the specialisations, which include: suggest unique strengths provide regions with analysis and stakeholder feedback are established, sustainable economic advantages, and so they • ‘Engines of Growth’ like cattle production, niche supported by detailed strategies and actions. should be points of focus for regional development agriculture, advanced and specialised This Strategy is the culmination of collaboration policy. manufacturing and tourism between the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council, their respective community and the NSW Government’s Queanbeyan-Palerang’s unique strengths were • Enabling Industries like computer system design CERD. determined through review of: and scientific research • Population Serving Industries like construction, Strategy implementation will be overseen by the CEO • the Region today – considering the Region as a public administration, defence and health care. of Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council, drawing on whole and the localities within it for their staff and broader stakeholders as appropriate. particular demographics, infrastructure, These attributes position Queanbeyan-Palerang to institutions and economic opportunities complement, increase integration with, and take advantage of, the strength and attractiveness of the • specialisations – activities in which the Region ACT economy. has a demonstrable advantage 3 Background The Queanbeyan-Palerang Region reflects the 3. the predominance of public service jobs and boundaries of its namesake council. Queanbeyan- relatively high levels of education among its Palerang has a population of about 56,000 and a workforce total land area of 5,319km2. 4. very high weekly incomes compared to regional Queanbeyan is the Region’s administrative centre, NSW with Bungendore and Braidwood its other major 5. relatively low levels of Retail Trade in the Region, centres of activity. The three centres are connected as much demand from residents is met in the ACT, by the Kings Highway. Queanbeyan CBD is only as in Woden and Belconnen 10km from Canberra International Airport. Queanbeyan acts as a regional centre for state 6. the extensive range of cultural, educational, government service delivery. scientific and social institutions that can offer advice and partnerships far more readily than While Queanbeyan-Palerang is the largest regional available to most other NSW Regions. centre in south-east NSW, its key reference point is as an immediate neighbour of the ACT and These considerations have shaped the profile of Australia’s capital city, Canberra. Canberra is Queanbeyan-Palerang’s economy over many Australia’s administrative capital, and home to more decades, and will continue to do so. than 416,000 people. For example, housing construction plays a key role in Much of the activity in the Region today reflects the the Region’s economic activity, reflecting the Region’s complementary relationships and considerable role as a service provider to the ACT. As a result, integration of Queanbeyan-Palerang and the ACT. population growth has been relatively rapid, at just a percentage point below Sydney’s rate and two points The Region’s integration with Canberra has a much above that for NSW since 2006. wider range of implications for its economic and social prospects. The NSW Department of Planning & Environment projects a high rate of growth for the Region to 2036, This can be seen in: with the population increasing by more than 50 per 1. the Region operating as a satellite or ‘dormitory cent to around 86,200 people. This projection implies suburb’ of Canberra substantial ongoing activity in the construction sector and ongoing expansion of the Region’s internal 2. two out of three Queanbeyan-Palerang workers markets. are employed in the ACT

4 Snapshot of the Economy, Industry and Opportunity Production & Income by Sector • among the Engines of Growth, the Region is more specialised in activities The figure on the next page is a key ‘roadmap’ to understanding economic such as advanced and specialised manufacturing opportunity in the Region. It reflects the income split between workers and • among Enabling Industries, the Region is more specialised in IT and businesses in each sector (blue and orange bars) and how much each industry professional services contributes to regional production (the stacked height of the bars). • among Population Serving Industries, the Region is more specialised in areas More than 40 per cent of Queanbeyan-Palerang’s economy is concentrated in including construction, defence and tertiary education. its top three industries: While the structure of the Region’s economy favours activities in internal Construction - $303 million • markets, it is notable the export-oriented ‘Engines of Growth’ still support a • Public Administration and Safety - $270 million substantial volume of output.

• Health Care and Social Assistance - $125 million. The Centre for Economic and Regional Development (CERD) has also produced an Input Output table for Queanbeyan-Palerang, based on the ABS Input Output Public Administration is the leading source of wages in the Region, while (IO) Tables for New South Wales. Construction provides the key source of business income. The CERD analysis shows the Region is a net importer, with exports estimated In analysing the Region’s economic features, it can also be useful to group at $333 million and imports estimated at $1,242 million. The Region is ideally similar industries together to allow review and comparison of some of their situated to take advantage of freight connections from the seaport at Eden common underpinning economic drivers. One useful classification of activities utilising the Snowy Highway and Monaro Highways, MR92 connecting the east is: coast, the Hume Hwy connecting Sydney and Melbourne. Only 10km from • “Engines of Growth” - activities linked to external markets and opportunities Queanbeyan CBD and its industrial areas, the Canberra International Airport beyond the bounds of the Region, like agriculture, manufacturing and also proposes significant potential for Queanbeyan to take advantage of the tourism developing export freight links.

• “Enabling Industries” - markets within the Region providing key support Queanbeyan-Palerang’s leading export industries are: Manufacturing; services to Engines of Growth businesses, like finance, utilities or IT inputs Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing; Transport, Postal and Warehousing; and Professional, Scientific & Technical Services. Manufacturing and Construction • “Population Serving Industries” - markets serving the people and communities of the Region, including activities like health, education and are the leading industry sources of demand for imports for production retail. processes.

Relative to the structure of NSW’s regional economy, Queanbeyan-Palerang’s To fully account for the opportunities Queanbeyan-Palerang provides its skills and output are reflective of a high-skill, high productivity economy. This residents, we must next consider the current degree of economic integration can be seen from a review of areas in which it has higher employment between Queanbeyan-Palerang and the ACT. concentrations (is more specialised) relative to most NSW regions: 5 Snapshot of the Economy, Industry and Opportunity Industry and Income 2016 350

300

250

200

150

100

Wage & Salary Income Business Income

Source: Cadence Economics

6 Agricultural Production

Value of Agricultural Production 2015-16 Braidwood and surrounds are the Region’s leading location for agricultural production, accounting for as much as the rest of the Region combined

Production in Queanbeyan-Palerang is heavily oriented towards livestock and livestock products, which make up 90 per cent of production. Cattle production is concentrated in Braidwood, with wool and sheep production predominant in Livestock products the rest of the Region.

Livestock - slaughtered and other disposals Cattle is the leading commodity of the Region Other Cattle made up more than 60 per cent of all of the Region’s production in 2015- 16 at about $27 million. Both wool and sheep production totalled about $6 million each. Crop production in 2015-16 was about $4 million. Agricultural Production - Major Commodities ($M) $30 2015-16 Agricultural Production by LocationQueanbeyan ($M) Region $25 (including $25 Braidwood Bungendore)

$20 $20

$15 $15

$10 $10

$5 $5

Wool Cattle Sheep $0 $0 Braidwood Queanbeyan Region (including Bungendore) Data source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Value of Agricultural Commodities Produced 2015-16 (7503.0)

Note the available data does not precisely match the region’s boundaries. The available SA2 boundaries have been used to match LGA boundaries to the extent possible. 7 Queanbeyan-Palerang Unemployment Rates, 2006 to 2016 Employment Trends 8.0% 7.0% Unemployment rates across Queanbeyan-Palerang have been substantially 6.0% below NSW and Regional NSW averages for an extended period of time. 5.0% Over time, the unemployment rate in Queanbeyan-Palerang has been roughly 4.0% between: 3.0% 2.0% • two to three percentage points below the State average 1.0% • two and a half to four percentage points below the regional NSW average. 0.0% 2006 2011 2016 Together with its younger age demographic, these figures bear out that Queanbeyan Palerang Unemployment rate 2.8% 2.8% 4.0% Queanbeyan-Palerang is a major ‘working region’ of the State. REGIONAL NSW Unemployment rate 7.0% 6.2% 6.6% Among Queanbeyan-Palerang’s largest employment industries, the strongest NSW Unemployment jobs growth in the decade to 2016 was seen in Public Administration and Safety. rate 5.9% 5.9% 6.3% Health Care & Social Assistance and Education and Training also saw substantial increases in jobs over the period. Queanbeyan-Palerang - Major Employment Industries 2006 - 2016 Public Administration and Safety Construction Health Care and Social Assistance Retail Trade Education and Training Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Accommodation and Food Services

4000 3500 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 2006 2011 2016

8 Key Economic Linkages to the ACT

Labour exchanges across the State border are very significant Live in QPRC Work in QPRC The pie charts right show the significant labour exchange between Queanbeyan- Palerang and the ACT. 63 per cent – about 18,500 people – of the workers living in Queanbeyan-Palerang work in the ACT meaning workers crossing the border to work in the ACT outnumber those living and working in the Region by 2:1.

More than 4,700 people working in Queanbeyan-Palerang come from the ACT, accounting for about a third of jobs. Canberra’s large and lucrative markets are a huge opportunity for Queanbeyan- Palerang residents

The ACT economy is much larger than Queanbeyan-Palerang’s, with the ACT’s five most significant industries producing close to $20 billion a year. It is unsurprising Work in QPRC Work in ACT that Australia’s capital features public administration as its leading industry, Work in Other From QPRC From ACT From Other supporting more than $9 billion in worker income and almost $2 billion in business profits.

The differences in scale show most opportunities today are located in the ACT, ACT Output by Industry and Income 2016 ($M) and this is likely to remain the case over time. This also frames the key economic 12,000 imperatives for Queanbeyan-Palerang: 10,000 • closer integration with its large and lucrative neighbour 8,000 • complementary economic development to provide: 6,000 • an alternative community for workers to reside in 4,000 • an alternative climate for businesses to invest in 2,000 • enhanced niche specialisations, such as: 0 Construction Professional, Public Education and Health Care Other • Agriculture (14 times the ACT’s concentration) Scientific and Administration Training and Social Technical and Safety Assistance • Manufacturing (5 times) Services

• Construction (3 times) Employee earnings Business Income

• distinctive tourism offerings. 9 Endowments Endowments are strengths that a regional economy possesses and can capitalise on. Economic principles suggest that endowments play a key role in the economic development of regions. The CERD in its Regional Economic Growth Enablers Report (2017) found that:

the future of individual regional economies is inexorably linked to their natural endowments and attempts to retain or establish industries without an underpinning endowment are unlikely to succeed. Economic development policy should therefore focus on factors that enable the growth of endowment-based industries, as well as building local leadership and institutional capacity and capabilities to better enable businesses and public agencies to capitalise on the opportunities a region’s endowments present. Endowments can lead to opportunities from which commercial and industrial interests may leverage and develop specialisations. Physical or geographic endowments Built endowments Rail Network – the NSW Government Future Proximity to Canberra – easy access to Canberra, an economy Queanbeyan Regional Hospital – the hospital offers a Transport Strategy 2056 identifies offering high quality jobs and a large market with the highest standard of service and availability that differentiates it Queanbeyan-Palerang is a part of a ‘ Global disposable incomes per head in the country, helps sustain from many other regional locations, including acute Gateway City’ via its operating rail corridor Queanbeyan-Palerang’s attractiveness. care, heart, general surgery and maternity services. connection from Canberra to Sydney. The Canberra Airport – Canberra International Airport Proximity to Sydney – Queanbeyan-Palerang is also situated potential of a Fast Train between Sydney and provides access for both inbound and outbound about three hours from Australia’s largest economy. While not as Canberra could provide significant economic movements of goods and people. Situated only 10km proximate as its access to Canberra, the Region is very well stimulus for the Region, and potential for from the Global Gateway of Canberra Airport, positioned relative to most of the remainder of regional NSW. utilisation of rail for developing freight exploring opportunities to leverage freight, logistics networks could be important given Gateway to the Snowy Mountains and South Coast – and tourism will be important to enable associated Queanbeyan’s close position to the Canberra Queanbeyan-Palerang is also relatively close to the Snowy sectors such as agriculture and precinct development. Airport and major road freight corridors. Mountains and South Coast. This offers a diversity of lifestyles and Braidwood’s preserved heritage – the well-preserved Kings Highway – the Highway’s east-west activities few regions can rival. This also offers opportunity to town of Braidwood has been heritage listed as a alignment serves important functions in both develop freight connections from the seaport at Eden to whole, forming a tourist attraction frequented by many connecting the centres of Queanbeyan- Queanbeyan and Canberra International Airport visitors. More broadly, the Region offers insights into Palerang and facilitating broader movements Queanbeyan River – the river frontage in Queanbeyan provides its modern origins as a centre for agriculture, the gold of people and goods between the ACT and considerable amenity, utilised through casual recreational rush and arrival of nationhood. the South Coast. activities, as well as for civic events. Monaro Highway – the north-south alignment of the Canberra Avenue and Piallago Avenue Corridor – Canberra Avenue extends the Arable land, State Forest and National Parks – whether for Monaro Highway provides easy access to different access provided by the Kings Highway into the traditional agriculture, forestry or emerging agricultural activities, parts of Canberra, as well as the Snowy Monaro heart of economic activity in Canberra and the arable tracts of Queanbeyan-Palerang provide substantial region. Piallago Avenue provides easy access to yields for its communities. Canberra Airport. 10 Endowments

Queanbeyan-Palerang has exceptionally good economic prospects by virtue of its highly educated workers, proximity to the large Canberra market and access to highly influential institutions and excellent employment opportunities in the nation’s capital. These factors sustain the ongoing attractiveness of the Region, as reflected in its high historical and projected rates of population growth. Each of these factors is also intrinsically related to Queanbeyan-Palerang’s integration with the larger, neighbouring ACT economy.

The greatest risks presented by the Region’s endowments relate to potentially avoidable obstacles to greater integration with the Canberra market, including differential rates and charges across the border and the availability of appropriately priced and scoped industrial land. If addressed, greater integration will see more economic opportunities located within Queanbeyan- Palerang itself, meaning more jobs closer to home and a stronger rate base for Council to fund community infrastructure and services. Similarly, the Region can become a more effective, productive place if the path of freight movements through the Region’s three major town centres on the Kings Highway can be harmonised with their roles as ‘places for people’.

Institutional endowments Human endowments

Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council – the Council Collaboration between community members – the Diverse specialised skill sets – the sub-industry is a very able advocate for the Region’s economy, communities of the Region demonstrate a good degree of data suggests the workers of Queanbeyan-Palerang proven to be proactive in engaging with its community cohesion in supporting key development needs, even offer a diverse range of regional specialisations, in pursuit of development. where formal organisations are not in place or are inactive. including: Balance of Lifestyle, Social and Economic State Government Agencies – State agencies play a • Engines of Growth like: Opportunities – the geographic positioning of Air Transport number of key roles in the Region: as employers; as • Queanbeyan-Palerang offers a broad mix of lifestyle Furniture and Other Wood Products providers of key services; as owners of land that may merit • and economic opportunities. This variety of choice re-purposing; and as regulators of private sectors activities. • Computer and Electronics Manufacturing allows visitors or residents to combine a generally high • Printing quality of regional services with appealing places to Local culture and food specialities - Braidwood and • Enabling Industries like: live, work and play in coastal, riverine or hinterland Bungendore have high concentrations of arts and • Computer System Design settings. recreational services. Along with its natural environment, • Management Consulting the Region also has emerging food manufacturing that The Federal Government – Federal Government • Scientific Research could lend itself to tourism. agencies provide much of the immediate economic • Telecommunications opportunity for Queanbeyan workers. The Federal Canberra Region Joint Organisation (CRJO) – the CRJO • Population Serving Industries like: Government also provides many cultural and provides a leading forum for councils, State agencies and • Central Government Administration educational institutions in Canberra that complement other stakeholders to work together at a regional level to • Defence the attractions of Queanbeyan-Palerang itself. identify shared priorities. The CRJO membership is made • Public Order and Safety up of eight Local Government Areas in the Canberra • State Government Administration Aboriginal heritage – the Region is home to the region, advocating for all parts of the region in partnership • Construction. Ngambri/Ngunnawal, who it is believed first arrived in to create vibrant communities. Queanbeyan around 20,000 years ago. 11 Specialisations

A simple form of analysis that can be used to gain an understanding of a Compared to general trends for NSW, the largest positive localised employment region’s competitive advantages is the Location Quotient (LQ) which measures changes were in activities like Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing, Manufacturing, the employment concentration in industry sectors within a regional economy, Accommodation & Food Services and Transport, Postal & Warehousing. This compared with the same sectors across NSW. The higher the LQ, the more profile suggests the Engines of Growth, most of which are land-intensive and specialised a region is in that industry relative to the rest of NSW. For the reflect areas in which Queanbeyan-Palerang complements the ACT’s purpose of this analysis, specialisations as defined by LQs, are in turn used as a endowments, have been most responsive to new opportunities over the past proxy measure for those sectors and industries that represent a region’s true five years. competitive advantages.* The lower localised employment growth effects are related to population Importantly, while LQs are used in this document for that purpose, they are only serving and enabling industries. This suggests local employment growth in a partial measure of those competitive advantages. Hence, they have been these sectors may be curtailed by proximity to clusters in the ACT, and/or by a considered alongside additional qualitative evaluations and data analysis, such lack of enabling infrastructure, land and services to support development of as Input-Output analysis, to arrive at the findings for the Region’s Strategies. these clusters in Queanbeyan-Palerang.

The bubble chart shows selected industries in the regional economy in 2016, where:

• Industries with a larger ‘bubble’ employed more people

• Industries further above the horizontal line are more specialised when compared to NSW (LQ greater than 1.25), industries below the line are less specialised when compared to NSW

• Industries to the right of the vertical line grew faster between 2011 and 2016 than comparable industries across NSW; industries on the left grew more slowly. This value is calculated as the Region’s industry growth rate less than the NSW growth rate for that industry, and is expressed in percentage points (ppts).

*A region’s competitive advantage for an industry includes its ability to produce goods and services at a lower cost or differentiate its products from other regions, along with access to external factors which enhance business and operations/minimise risk (Stimson, Stough and Roberts, 2006).

12 Specialisations and Shifts in Employment Over Time

Public administration and safety Queanbeyan-Palerang Employment by Industry Important Growth Industries (rebased for depictive purposes from 1.75 LQ 5.2) 2016 Location Quotient

1.50

2011-16 Local Employment Effect (percentage points relative to State avg) 1.25 -25% -20% -15% -10% -5% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20%

Professional, scientific and technical Education and training services 1.00 Health care and social assistance Arts and recreation services Information media and telecommunications Accommodation and food services

Rental, hiring and real estate services 0.75

Electricity, gas, water and waste Transport, postal and warehousing Retail trade services Construction Agriculture, forestry and fishing 0.50 (rebased for depictive purposes from Administrative and support services employment growth + 38 percentage points)

0.25 Wholesale trade Manufacturing Financial and insurance services

Potential Emerging 0.00 Industries

13 Specialisations The primary industry specialisations of Queanbeyan-Palerang across the ‘Engines of Growth’, ‘Enabling Industries’ and ‘Population Serving Industries’ groupings are summarised below.

Among the ‘Engines of Growth’, specialisations Among ‘Enabling Industries’, Information Media and Among ‘Population Serving Industries’, Public are only evident on a sub-industry or limited Telecommunications and Professional, Scientific and Administration & Safety is Queanbeyan-Palerang’s locational basis. Technical Services are Queanbeyan-Palerang’s key dominant specialisation, reflecting Canberra’s role as specialisations the home of the public service. This is complemented Consultation and review of the data shows cattle by more modest specialisations in Arts and Recreation production (around Braidwood), niche agriculture Services and Construction. and tourism (both Braidwood and Bungendore) and Specific sub-industry specialisations include: advanced manufacturing (Queanbeyan) are leading 1. Computer System Design It is notable that for a Region with a relatively large specialisations of the Region. population, Retail Trade is not a specialisation. 2. Building Cleaning, Pest Control and Gardening However, with the proposed new retail developments 3. Legal and Accounting in Googong, Jerrabomberra and actions under the Specific sub-industry specialisations include: Queanbeyan CBD Transformation Strategy, the 4. Architectural, Engineering and Technical Services Queanbeyan CBD Spatial Business Plan and Retail 1. Postal and Courier Services 5. Real Estate Growth Strategy could see retail trade grow and 2. Accommodation, Cafes and Restaurants, 6. Management Consulting support an authentic ‘main street’ retail experience as Hospitality and Passenger Transport (Tourism a differentiator for the Queanbeyan-Palerang Region industries) 7. Scientific Research economy 8. Telecommunications. 3. Wood Product and Furniture Manufacturing Specific sub-industry specialisations include: 4. Machinery and Equipment Wholesaling 1. Central Government Administration

5. Computer and Electronics Manufacturing 2. Defence

6. Communication Equipment Manufacturing 3. Public Order and Safety

7. Agriculture 4. State Government Administration

8. Printing Services. 5. Construction

6. Tertiary Education 7. Child Care Services

8. Health Care. 14 Risks Through consultation, the community contributed to • The sole east /west commute and passenger road • Bungendore’s main street needs to be better the Strategy development process, by identifying corridor along Canberra Avenue and Bungendore integrated with its showground. issues today that may be central to the economic road provides inefficiencies and potential issues • Affordable housing is in short supply. future. This included a range of risks that may with the growing population in the Bungendore and • Braidwood needs traffic, drainage and sewerage impede Queanbeyan-Palerang from achieving its Googong areas. solutions for its main street that are sensitive to its economic potential. Leveraging Resources, Skills and Jobs heritage values. Addressing these risks is essential to realising this • CBD property owners are electing to keep • Cultural, sporting and other social amenities and events should be enhanced. A sports precinct can Strategy’s economic Vision for the Region. properties vacant rather than reducing rents, attract people from the ACT every week to Achieving Better Connectivity reducing economic activity. Queanbeyan, as well as providing capacity for elite sporting events and training. • Heavy vehicle routes along the main streets of • Scarcity of “right sized” industrial and employment Queanbeyan, Braidwood and Bungendore land in Queanbeyan-Palerang is constraining • Essential infrastructure needs to be provided in create traffic congestion, undermine their roles development. sequence to best support new residential development. as ‘places for people’ and put the safety of • Land release for residential areas is encroaching on • Cross Border Issues – unique to the area is the residents at risk. industrial sites. Existing businesses are unable to different regulatory environment on each side of the • Deficiencies in telecommunications coverage grow or expand, and it is impacting on the border. This complicates and disables the ability for means that the human capital and innovative efficiency of their operations relative to the scale effective public transport service delivery, leads to capacity of Queanbeyan-Palerang’s labour pool they can achieve in Canberra. differential business cost establishment and flight is underutilised. corridor planning issues amongst other things. • Training offered in Canberra is not readily New Ideas • More frequent and reliable public and community accessible for Queanbeyan-Palerang workers, as transport systems within Queanbeyan-Palerang job seekers can’t access subsidised places. • Queanbeyan is disadvantaged in key respects and beyond to Canberra can change the way relative to Canberra for both cost and regulatory • A small animal abattoir would cater to local farmer imposts on business and the thresholds at which people live and work for the better. needs and opportunities. they apply. • Access to Canberra Airport for NSW taxis is Enhancing Liveable Communities highly regulated. NSW taxis can take passengers • Small to medium enterprises face high start-up and • Better ‘Places for People’ in the centre of to the airport, but regulations prevent them from development costs in Queanbeyan-Palerang and Queanbeyan, Bungendore and Braidwood requires picking up passengers. delineating freight from pedestrian traffic. lower thresholds for taxes like payroll tax. • Slow rail links from Sydney to Canberra via • A lack of potable water services and flooding • Potential businesses in Bungendore face Bungendore and Queanbeyan are a disincentive issues is holding back housing supply in substantive costs for car parking spaces for no to use rail for commuter and visitor disbursement. Bungendore. substantive change in land use. 15 Risks • Operational conditions enforced on businesses for noise, energy, fire and waste impede productivity and drive up costs excessively.

• Many buildings in Queanbeyan-Palerang are heritage listed, making it very difficult to reuse or adapt existing buildings for economic activities.

• Queanbeyan-Palerang’s business communities lack a peak body and act informally.

• Small to medium enterprises in the Agriculture sector need better definitions from State regulation to reduce development costs.

16 Strategy

The four Strategy elements for the Region link directly to the opportunities This also frames the key economic imperatives for Queanbeyan-Palerang: presented by the Region’s endowments and specialisations and also aim to • closer integration with its large and lucrative neighbour address some key regional risks. • complementary economic development to provide: The Strategy elements were derived from an analysis of the endowments that underpin the Region’s strengths, followed by examination of current industry • an alternative community for workers to reside in specialisations and emerging specialisations, identified in consultation with the • an alternative climate for businesses to invest in community and councils. • enhanced niche specialisations, like agriculture, manufacturing, Each element is accompanied by a set of early actions, which should be construction and distinctive tourism offerings. interpreted simply as example actions derived from the preliminary application of the strategy framework. It is therefore expected that there will be other Ongoing population growth over an extended period of time has supported the actions capable of contributing to the attainment of the Region’s vision that are Region’s development. This has seen local markets for populating serving yet to be identified. Consequently, an action’s alignment with the Strategy is the activities grow significantly. primary strategic consideration, rather than it being listed in this document, and These strengths inform the strategic elements: all proposed actions will be subject to further qualitative and quantitative 1. Improve the digital connectivity to Harness the Innovative Capacity of the evaluative processes. Workforce We previously saw the Queanbeyan-Palerang diversified economy incorporates 2. Re-establish the Town Centres as ‘Places for People’ a broad range of strengths, spanning: 3. Grow the Population and Internal Markets of the Region • Engines of Growth like air transport, computer and electronics manufacturing, tourism and agriculture 4. Further Develop Specialised Agriculture and Food and Cultural Tourism.

• Enabling Industries like computer system design and scientific research

• Population Serving Industries like central government administration, defence and health care.

17 1. FurtherEnable Developthe Growth the of Manufacturing the Manufacturing and Agricultural Cluster by ‘Engines Increasing of Growth’ the Supply of Industrial Land

Strategic Context The ‘Engines of Growth’ in Agriculture and Manufacturing are the Western Riverina’s most distinctive specialisations. These Queanbeyan-Palerang is fortunate to have access to a number of endowments that lend it productive potential well beyond levels industries have seen considerable expansions in employment relative to trends prevailing across the State and represent the key typical for regional NSW. Foremost among these endowments are: opportunities for the Region’s future economic development. • its highly educated workforce • advanced manufacturing firms Prospects for these industries can be advanced through a number of measures. Better connections to their external markets, • proximity to Canberra, home to many of Australia’s leading cultural, educational, scientific and social institutions. international and domestic, can be achieved through transport infrastructure investment. Better connections within the Region, through both transport and digital connectivity measures, can increase supply chain integration and regional productivity. Finally, Despite the complementary role Queanbeyan-Palerang plays with respect to Canberra in supporting land-intensive production streamlining approval processes can help facilitate timely expansions of activity in these sectors over time. activities like manufacturing, consultation revealed a scarcity of appropriately scoped industrial land, and tax and regulation differentials were constraining development in this sector. Infrastructure Priorities Connect Agriculture and Manufacturing producers to their supply chains and external markets. To make the most of its endowments, Queanbeyan-Palerang should focus on facilitating cluster development for its high skill, high value add activities. An immediate opportunity relates to the proposed South Jerrabomberra Defence & Technology Precinct. A Opportunities secondary priority shouldEarly be improving Stage Actions regional digital and mobile connections, in orderCandidate to improve Programs the capacity / Projects of its workers to work flexibly and connect to markets much further afield. • Move freight efficiently within and beyond • Develop a Western Riverina Intermodal Freight • Western Riverina Intermodal Freight Infrastructure Priorities South Jerrabomberra Defence & Technology Precinct and digital connectivity infrastructure the Western Riverina Terminal Masterplan Terminal Opportunities Early Stage• Develop Actions Western Riverina Regional Airport Candidate Programs / Projects • Connect the Region’s producers to markets • SunRice Freight Intermodal Project Develop a SouthMasterplan Jerrabomberra Defence & Technology Precinct Business Case. • Positionthrough Queanbeyan efficient rail -linksPalerang as a • • South Jerrabomberra Smart City. • Develop a South East NSW Freight study Innovation Precinct • Pursue a partnership with Canberra Institute of Technology, Australian National• Western Riverina Regional Airport Master • Advocate for the implementation of the Newell Defence and • Improve regional, national and global University and the University of Canberra to develop Queanbeyan–Palerang’sProgram o • Activate industrial land that utilises the Highway Corridor Strategy Technology Industrial connections for people and freight entrepreneurial ecosystem. Region’s hi-tech workforce • Advocate for Corridor Strategies for the Kidman Way • Western Riverina FreightPark Corridor Program • specialisations.Provide people and businesses with • Implement theand QPRC Irrigation Digital Way Economy and Smart Community Strategy. o Enabling road works reliable, high capacity digital connections • Advocate for Program Business Cases for Kidman • Last Mile Constraintso Utilities Improvement corridor Program • Develop an Innovation Strategy. • Secure reliable, high capacity regional Way, Newell Highway and Sturt Highway o Business park • digitalRealise and a mobilebetter integratedconnections roadfor network the • Advocate• forDevelop an Australian a business Public case Service for Griffith Smart Bypass Work Hub in Queanbeyan.• Improving and upgradingo Rail Freight bridges Intermodal across Region’sthrough creativeaddressing and constrainedinnovative links • Develop a Junee rail branch line business case the Western Riverina workforce. • Develop a Business Innovation Hub in Queanbeyan. • Queanbeyan-Palerang • Develop Efficient Rail Link Study – connecting Business Innovation Hub. • Improve road freight corridor productivity• In collaborationWestern with Riverinathe private to Portsector, of Melbourne audit digital connectivity blackspots and identify • Work on cross-border collaboration to through ongoing corridor investment technical solutions.Identify and cost key roads and intersections to “last address tax and regulations gaps. • mile” and “first mile” constraints • Investigate regional/remote Wi-Fi connectivity solution. • Advocate for integrated planning consents • Audit digital connectivity blackspots in collaboration • Enhanceacross governments transport accessibility and connectivity between Queanbeyan- • Work with thewith ACT the toprivate develop sector a Public Transport Integration Strategy. • Review costs of delays in approving development Palerang Region and Canberra to • Undertake a feasibility study for commuter rail options in the Bungendore to Canberra applications, and work across governments and support cross border travel flow. corridor. agencies to streamline planning consents • Continue to advocate for a Fast Train network from Sydney to Canberra. 18 2.1. FurtherRe-establish Develop the ManufacturingTown Centres and as ‘Places Agricultural for People’ ‘Engines of Growth’

Strategic Context The ‘Engines of Growth’ in Agriculture and Manufacturing are the Western Riverina’s most distinctive specialisations. These The Kings Highway corridor is highly significant from both an economic and social perspective, providing the primary point of industries have seen considerable expansions in employment relative to trends prevailing across the State and represent the key access between the Region’s three major centres. Beyond Queanbeyan, the corridor becomes Canberra Avenue, the immediate opportunities for the Region’s future economic development. access point to many of the economic opportunities residents find within the ACT’s borders. Prospects for these industries can be advanced through a number of measures. Better connections to their external markets, While the Kings Highway is highly valuable as a movement corridor, it nonetheless creates conflict with the intended economic international and domestic, can be achieved through transport infrastructure investment. Better connections within the Region, land use outcomes for the three town centres disrupted by its current alignment. This reduces the amenity and productivity of through both transport and digital connectivity measures, can increase supply chain integration and regional productivity. Finally, these centres. In particular, Transport for NSW’s new ‘Movement and Place’ framework includes a core principle that freight streamlining approval processes can help facilitate timely expansions of activity in these sectors over time. corridors should be separated from “places for people” so both can function more efficiently.

Infrastructure Priorities TheConnect Ellerton AgricultureDrive Extension, and Manufacturing presently in delivery, producers will to provide their supply Queanbeyan’s chains and CBD external relief markets.from freight traffic through a bypass from mid 2020. The immediate next step for the Region should be developing a program business case of initiatives to make the most of this opportunity. Thereafter, a business case for bypasses of Bungendore and Braidwood and similar complementary Opportunities investment programs shouldEarly be Stage developed. Actions Over the medium term, options to better integrateCandidate these Programs centres / withProjects Canberra through better public transport services should be investigated. • Move freight efficiently within and beyond • Develop a Western Riverina Intermodal Freight • Western Riverina Intermodal Freight Infrastructure Priorities Queanbeyan CBD Transformation, consolidation of QPRC Offices & Town bypasses of Bungendore and Braidwood. the Western Riverina Terminal Masterplan Terminal Opportunities Early Stage• Develop Actions Western Riverina Regional Airport Candidate Programs / Projects • Connect the Region’s producers to markets • SunRice Freight Intermodal Project Develop a programMasterplan business case for revitalising the Queanbeyan CBD. • Reinstatethrough efficientthe main rail streets links as a • • Queanbeyan CBD Develop a South East NSW Freight study “Places for People”. • • Western RiverinaTransformation Regional Airport Master • Advocate for the implementation of the Newell • Improve regional, national and global • Develop Town Bypass business cases for Braidwood and Bungendore. Program Highway Corridor Strategy • Delineateconnections freight for corridorspeople and from freight • Consolidation of the QPRC “Places for People”. • Review measures• Advocate to encourage for Corridor landlords Strategies to letfor andthe Kidmanimprove Way their properties,• Western RiverinaOffices Freight Corridor Program • Provide people and businesses with including rateand incentives Irrigation to Way do so. • Improvereliable, connections high capacity between digital connections • Advocate for Program Business Cases for Kidman • Last Mile Constraints• Kings Highway Improvement bypass Program study Canberra and Queanbeyan-Palerang for Braidwood and • Work with theWay, ACT Newell to develop Highway a Public and SturtTransport Highway Integration Strategy. • withRealise better a integrationbetter integrated of public road network • Develop a business case for Griffith Bypass • Improving andBungendore upgrading bridges across transport services. the Western Riverina through addressing constrained links • Undertake• aDevelop feasibility a studyJunee for rail commuter branch line rail business options incase the Bungendore to • Light rail network extension • Develop Efficient Rail Link Study – connecting Kingston corridor. to Queanbeyan • Improve road freight corridor productivity Western Riverina to Port of Melbourne through ongoing corridor investment • Identify and cost key roads and intersections to “last • Implement the Retail Growth Strategy and Queanbeyan CBD Spatial Business Plan • Commuter Rail from to support themile” development and “first mile” of an constraints authentic ‘main street’ retail experience as • Advocate for integrated planning consents Bungendore to Queanbeyan differentiator• Audit for the digital local connectivity economy. blackspots in collaboration across governments to Canberra. with the private sector • Review costs of delays in approving development applications, and work across governments and agencies to streamline planning consents

19 3.1. FurtherGrow Develop the Population the Manufacturing and Internal and Markets Agricultural of the ‘Engines Region of Growth’

Strategic Context The ‘Engines of Growth’ in Agriculture and Manufacturing are the Western Riverina’s most distinctive specialisations. These The combination of lifestyle and economic opportunity enjoyed in Queanbeyan-Palerang is a key factor contributing to the industries have seen considerable expansions in employment relative to trends prevailing across the State and represent the key significant population growth enjoyed in the Region over the past decade. Many of the endowments supporting the Region’s opportunities for the Region’s future economic development. attractiveness are in the ACT rather than NSW, emphasising the significant ‘satellite’ relationship and relatively close integration between the Region and the nation’s capital. Prospects for these industries can be advanced through a number of measures. Better connections to their external markets, international and domestic, can be achieved through transport infrastructure investment. Better connections within the Region, Nonetheless, there is more Queanbeyan-Palerang can do to further enhance its own attractiveness, grow its own markets and through both transport and digital connectivity measures, can increase supply chain integration and regional productivity. Finally, further increase its integration with Canberra. Priority measures should include developing a portfolio of enabling infrastructure streamlining approval processes can help facilitate timely expansions of activity in these sectors over time. projects to facilitate housing supply and new industrial land, a cross border comparison of charges and regulatory impositions and developing a business case for the proposed Jerrabomberra Sports Precinct. Infrastructure Priorities Connect Agriculture and Manufacturing producers to their supply chains and external markets. Infrastructure Priorities Utilities infrastructure supporting housing supply and new industrial land release Opportunities Early Stage Actions Candidate Programs / Projects Opportunities Early Stage Actions Candidate Programs / Projects • Move freight efficiently within and beyond • Western Riverina Intermodal Freight Develop a •QueanbeyanDevelop a -WesternPalerang Riverina Water Security Intermodal Program Freight business case. • Providethe Westernenabling Riverina infrastructure for new • Terminal • Bungendore Water Supply industrial and housing developments. Terminal Masterplan System • Work with •energyDevelop suppliers Western to identify Riverina infrastructure Regional Airport to support housing supply and • SunRice Freight Intermodal Project • Connect the Region’s producers to marketsindustrial expansion,Masterplan including renewable energy infrastructure. • Improvethrough access efficient to cultural, rail links sporting and • Queanbeyan Sewage Develop a South East NSW Freight study social facilities and services within • Develop a •Jerrabomberra sports precinct business case. • Western RiverinaTreatment Regional Plant Airport Upgrade Master Queanbeyan-Palerang. • Advocate for the implementation of the Newell • Improve regional, national and global Program • Leverage the HighwayHealth, Wellbeing Corridor Strategyand Community Services SkillsPoint in Queanbeyan connections for people and freight • Googong Recycled Water to work with Industry to identify and address gaps in social and community services. • Level out the cross-border cost and • Advocate for Corridor Strategies for the Kidman Way • Western RiverinaSystem Freight Corridor Program regulatory differentials. • Provide people and businesses with • Undertake a studyand Irrigation of cross -Wayborder business costs and regulatory impositions, and Queanbeyan Regional Sports reliable, high capacity digital connectionsconsider options• Advocate including for aProgram Special BusinessEconomic Cases Zone. for Kidman • Last Mile Constraints• Improvement Program • Engage in transformative partnerships Way, Newell Highway and Sturt Highway Facilities. with local, state and federal Advocate for a City Deal in collaboration with the ACT Government to address cross • Realise a better integrated road network• • Develop a business case for Griffith Bypass • Improving and upgrading bridges across governments. Queanbeyan-Palerang through addressing constrained links border issues.• Develop a Junee rail branch line business case the Western• Riverina Intermodal Freight Futures • Develop Efficient Rail Link Study – connecting • Accommodate an ageing population • Advocate for harmonisation of Canberra Airport transport access regulations. Study • Improve road freight corridor productivity Western Riverina to Port of Melbourne through integrating aged care and health through ongoing corridor investment • Work with industryIdentify in investigatingand cost key innovativeroads and solutionsintersections to energy to “last and waste services. • management mile”constraints and “first including mile” constraints renewable energy opportunities and solutions. • Advocate for integrated planning consents • Trial a Business• Audit Improvement digital connectivity District as blackspots an alternative in collaboration to a Business Chamber in • Improveacross freight governments connectivity from the Kings Highway corridor. Queanbeyan.with the private sector • Review costs of delays in approving development • Undertake a feasibility study for freight network development (such as an • Explore the development of Freight Hub applications, and work across governments and intermodal) in Queanbeyan. to support industry growth in the Region. agencies to streamline planning consents

20 4.1. FurtherFurther Develop Develop the SpecialisedManufacturing Agriculture and Agricultural and Food ‘Engines and Cultural of Growth’ Tourism

Strategic Context The ‘Engines of Growth’ in Agriculture and Manufacturing are the Western Riverina’s most distinctive specialisations. These The Region holds significant advantages in specialised agriculture and tourism that should be cultivated. industries have seen considerable expansions in employment relative to trends prevailing across the State and represent the key Consultationsopportunities suggest for the Braidwood’s Region’s future well economic-established, development. highly productive beef cattle specialisation functions well, but smaller, developing niche agricultural activities demonstrating significant innovative capacities located around both Bungendore and BraidwoodProspects are for impeded these industries by a range can of be regulatory advanced and through infrastructure a number constraints. of measures. An immediateBetter connections priority should to their be external investigating markets, the feasibilityinternational of the andsmall domestic, animal abattoir can be concept achieved proposed through transportby stakeholders. infrastructure investment. Better connections within the Region, through both transport and digital connectivity measures, can increase supply chain integration and regional productivity. Finally, Similarly, the release of the new Destination Management Plan has provided a point of focus for further efforts to grow the streamlining approval processes can help facilitate timely expansions of activity in these sectors over time. Region’s visitor economy. Specifically, the Region should seek to leverage existing tourism strengths, like its Aboriginal and European settlement history and Braidwood’s well-preserved town, by developing new arts, food and cultural offerings. Infrastructure Priorities Connect Agriculture and Manufacturing producers to their supply chains and external markets. Infrastructure Priorities Small Animal Abattoir. Opportunities Early Stage Actions Candidate Programs / Projects Opportunities Early Stage Actions Candidate Programs / Projects • Move freight efficiently within and beyond • Western Riverina Intermodal Freight Work with •theDevelop Small Business a Western Commissioner Riverina Intermodal to look at Freight regulatory barriers to agri- • Leveragethe Western Queanbeyan Riverina-Palerang’s • Terminal • Small Animal Abattoir proximity to Canberra to promote its arts, business and Terminalagri-tourism. Masterplan • Develop Western Riverina Regional Airport food, drink and cultural strengths. • SunRice Freight• Queanbeyan Intermodal-Palerang Project • Connect the Region’s producers to markets• Review the LEPMasterplan and planning policies to remove grey areas around the through efficient rail links Regional Council Tourism development Developof farm-gate a South agri -Eastbusiness NSW and Freight agri -studytourism business. • Develop the Region’s agricultural sector. • • Western RiverinaAccommodation Regional Airport and EventsMaster • Advocate for the implementation of the Newell Plan • Improve regional, national and global • Investigate abattoir options for Bungendore and Braidwood. Program • Celebrate and embrace indigenous and Highway Corridor Strategy connections for people and freight multicultural heritage. Explore opportunities that ag-tech advancements may offer the Region to boost • • Advocate for Corridor Strategies for the Kidman Way • Western Riverina• Tourism Freight projects Corridor as per Program capacity, efficiencyand Irrigation and innovation Way in the sector. Queanbeyan-Palerang • Take• Provide advantage people of expandingand businesses tourism, with Regional Council Tourism Plan. promotionreliable, and high export capacity opportunities digital connections of • Provide greater• Advocate access tofor and Program awareness Business of indigenous Cases for Kidmanand multicultural • heritage.Last Mile Constraints Improvement Program the Region given the available domestic Way, Newell Highway and Sturt Highway Work with the Canberra Region Joint Organisation (CRJO) and Visit Canberra to and• Realiseinternational a better connections integrated that road may network • • Develop a business case for Griffith Bypass • Improving and upgrading bridges across be facilitatedthrough addressing by the Canberra constrained links develop or• leverageDevelop joint a Junee marketing rail branch initiatives line tobusiness promote case the Region the Western Riverina International Airport. • With the CRJO• Develop and Canberra Efficient Airport Rail Link to Study(1) investigate – connecting the opportunity for Canberra • Improve road freight corridor productivity Western Riverina to Port of Melbourne • Develop a tourism brand for the Region. Region produce and products placement in the Canberra airport to support the through ongoing corridor investment QPRC Tourism• Identify Plan objectives, and cost key (2) furtherroads and ongoing intersections development to “last of export freight opportunities mile”in agriculture and “first and mile” general constraints industry. • Advocate for integrated planning consents • Audit digital connectivity blackspots in collaboration across governments • Conduct a consumerwith the privatefacing branding sector exercise for the QPRC LGA • Leverage •theReview Canberra costs Region of delays brand in where approving possible development applications, and work across governments and Further develop the Queanbeyan-Palerang Events Program. • agencies to streamline planning consents

21 Queanbeyan-Palerang Enablers

Strategies and Early Stage Actions Improve Digital Connectivity Further Develop Specialised and Access to Harness the Re-establish Town Centres Grow the Population & Enablers Agriculture and Food and Innovative Capacity of the as ‘Places for People’ Internal Markets Cultural Tourism Workforce • Pursue a partnership with • Leverage the Health, • Explore opportunities that Canberra Institute of Wellbeing and Community ag-tech advancements Technology, Australian Services SkillsPoint in may offer the region to National University and Queanbeyan to work with boost capacity, efficiency the University of Canberra Industry to identify and and innovation in the to develop Queanbeyan– address gaps in social sector. Palerang’s entrepreneurial and community services. People and Skills ecosystem. • Provide greater access to and awareness of indigenous and multicultural heritage.

• Conduct a consumer facing branding exercise for the QPRC LGA. • In collaboration with the • Work with energy suppliers private sector, audit digital to identify infrastructure to connectivity blackspots support housing supply and identify technical and industrial expansion, solutions. including renewable Utilities energy infrastructure. • Investigate regional/remote Wi-Fi connectivity solution.

22 Queanbeyan-Palerang Enablers

Strategies and Early Stage Actions

Improve Digital Re-establish Town Connectivity and Access Grow the Population & Further Develop Specialised Agriculture and Food and Enablers Centres as ‘Places for to Harness the Innovative Internal Markets Cultural Tourism People’ Capacity of the Workforce • Implement the QPRC • Review measures to • Undertake a study of • Work with the Small Business Commissioner to look Digital Economy and encourage landlords to cross-border at regulatory barriers to agri-business and agri- Smart Community let and improve business costs and tourism. Strategy. properties, including regulatory • Review the LEP and planning policies to remove grey rate incentives to do impositions and • Develop an Innovation areas around the development of farm-gate agri- so. consider options, Strategy. business and agri-tourism business. including a Special • Advocate for an • Work with the ACT to Economic Zone. • Work with the Canberra Region Joint Organisation Australian Public develop a Public (CRJO) and Visit Canberra to develop or leverage joint • Advocate for a City Service Smart Work Transport Integration marketing initiatives to promote the Region Deal in collaboration Hub in Queanbeyan. Strategy. Government, with the ACT • With the CRJO and Canberra Airport: regulation, Work with the ACT to • Government. investigate the opportunity for Canberra services and develop a Public • Implement the Retail o Advocate for Region produce and products placement in information Transport Integration Growth Strategy and • harmonisation of the Canberra airport to support the QPRC Strategy. Queanbeyan CBD Spatial Business Plan Canberra Airport Tourism Plan objectives Continue to advocate • to support the transport access further ongoing development of export freight for a Fast Train o development of an regulations. opportunities in agriculture and general network from Sydney authentic ‘main street’ • Trial a Business industry. to Canberra. retail experience as Improvement District • Leverage the Canberra Region brand where possible. differentiator for the as an alternative to a local economy. Business Chamber in • Further develop the Queanbeyan-Palerang Events Queanbeyan. Program.

23 Queanbeyan-Palerang Enablers

Strategies and Early Stage Actions

Improve Digital Connectivity Further Develop Specialised and Access to Harness the Re-establish Town Centres Grow the Population & Enablers Agriculture and Food and Innovative Capacity of the as ‘Places for People’ Internal Markets Cultural Tourism Workforce • Develop a Business • Develop a program • Develop a Queanbeyan- • Investigate abattoir options Innovation Hub in business case for Palerang Water Security for Bungendore and Queanbeyan. revitalising the Program business case. Braidwood. Queanbeyan CBD. • Develop a South • Develop a Jerrabomberra Jerrabomberra Defence & sports precinct business Develop Town Bypass Technology Precinct • case. business cases for Business Case. Braidwood and • Work with industry in • Regional/remote Wi-Fi Bungendore. investigating innovative Connectivity Solution. solutions to energy and waste management • Undertake a feasibility • Undertake a feasibility Infrastructure constraints including study for commuter rail study for commuter rail renewable energy options in the Bungendore options in the Bungendore opportunities and to Canberra corridor. to Kingston corridor. solutions. • Undertake a Queanbeyan- Palerang intermodal freight futures study.

24 Implementation Plan Strategy implementation will be overseen by the After two years, a formal review of the Action Plan and CEO of Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council, associated governance processes will be initiated, drawing on the advice of the Economic Advisory producing a brief report card to be published as an Panel, staff and broader stakeholders as addendum to the Economic Development Strategy. appropriate. This will also provide an opportunity to update the The effective implementation of the Strategy will Action Plan for new or modified actions in view of key involve the key stakeholders and regional economic, social, environmental and policy changes. community that contributed to its development, including State government agencies and local After four years, an Advisory Committee will also begin entities. the process of updating or refreshing the Strategy.

The completion of this document is intended to be the first stage of an ongoing process where new specific actions to further progress towards the Vision are identified through application of the framework.

The CEO will meet regularly to track progress and liaise with the Regional Director, Southern NSW, NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet. These meetings could also be used to check the Strategy’s progress and review against current grant opportunities.

25 Disclaimer Copyright

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Information in this publication is provided as general information only and is not The Department of Premier and Cabinet requires attribution as: © State of New intended as a substitute for advice from a qualified professional. The South Wales (Department of Premier and Cabinet), (2018). Department recommends that users exercise care and use their own skill and judgment in using information from this publication and that users carefully evaluate the accuracy, currency, completeness and relevance of such information. Users should take steps to independently verify the information in this publication and, where appropriate, seek professional advice.

Nothing in this publication should be taken to indicate the Department’s or the NSW Government’s commitment to a particular course of action.