Shire of Boddington Supertown Economic Development Strategy
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Shire of Boddington SuperTown Economic Development Strategy Shire of Boddington February 2012 Version Control Document History and Status Status Issued To Qty Date Reviewed Approved Draft V1 Shire of Boddington 1 10/01/12 KH, MA JS Shire of Boddington Draft V2 Electronic 16/01/12 KH, MA JS and Hames Sharley Shire of Boddington Draft V3 Electronic 15/02/12 KH, MA JS and Hames Sharley Final Shire of Boddington Electronic 28/02/12 KH, MA, LA JS Disclaimer Syme Marmion & Co reports and advice are either of a general nature, or for specific circumstances. Syme Marmion & Co is not liable for any loss or damage incurred by any person relying on such reports or advice, except where they are Report Details created by Syme Marmion & Co expressly for that person. Author: Syme Marmion & Co Nothing in these terms shall be taken as excluding, limiting or modifying any term, condition or warranty implied by any Client: Shire of Boddington applicable act of parliament that cannot be so affected. To the extent that such a term, condition or warranty is implied, the Name of Document: Economic Development Strategy liability of Syme Marmion & Co for breach of that term, Document Version: condition or warranty is, where permitted, limited at the Version 4 option of Syme Marmion & Co, to: Project Number: P1153 the supplying of the relevant goods or services again; or the payment of the cost of having the relevant goods or services supplied again. Executive Summary Background The Regional Centres Development Plan (SuperTowns) is a Royalties for Regions initiative aimed at encouraging selected regional communities located in the southern half of the State to plan and prepare for a predicted doubling of the State’s population by 2051. Boddington is one of nine selected towns with the potential to become a SuperTown. The objectives of the initiative are to: target sustainable regional economic development to stimulate diverse employment and investment opportunities assist in managing the State's projected population expansion in key regional towns plan and invest in town development and growth within an integrated strategic planning and implementation framework The Boddington SuperTowns initiative will have important sub-regional implications for the Shire of Boddington and also for the Shires of Wandering and Williams, including increasing synergies for technology development, business growth and potential to develop the tourism industry. This sub-region is referred to as the Boddington District. The Boddington District Economic Development Strategy complements the overarching Growth Plan (published under separate cover, to be read in conjunction with this report) and will specifically provide for the future economic development of the Boddington/Ranford townsite and the sub-region to the year 2051. The Economic Development Strategy (EDS) provides an “investment blueprint” to attract State and private sector investment and to guide sustainable economic development outcomes. The Economic Development Strategy investigates three different growth scenarios in the context of the SuperTowns initiative: Scenario 1: ‘Business as Usual’ No major new initiatives, incremental change from current Population of approximately 4,000 by 2051 Scenario 2: SuperTowns Initiatives Growth as a result of SuperTowns initiatives Population of approximately 7,000 by 2051 Scenario 3: ‘Aspirational’ Accelerated growth exceeding expectations Population of approximately 10,000 by 2051 2051 SuperTowns Initiative Aspirational Population 7,000 10,000 Additional Dwellings 1,300 2,300 Additional Jobs 1,000 1,800 Additional hectares of employment land 75 110 The Shire of Boddington has already commenced the business of economic development in the Strategic Plan 2009 and in the Plan for the Future, 2008-2013. The EDS provides support for these ongoing initiatives, context for future requirements associated with the growth scenarios and strategies for the delivery of hard and soft economic development infrastructure for essential education, training, business support and job Syme Marmion & Co Boddington Economic Development Strategy iii growth. The prospective task for economic growth and employment creation for the District under a SuperTowns Growth Plan is significant. Given that most local businesses are micro and small in size, this implies a total business creation task of approximately 500 – 1,500 new enterprises over the Growth Plan period. These job growth targets imply an annual average requirement of 30-50 new jobs every year to 2050. Economic Prospects and Opportunity Historic long term population growth in the district has historically been very flat, only increasing to around 2% pa from 2006. This reflects the economic base, with majority of employment arising from the agricultural sector, which is stable but with little employment growth. In 2006, 35% of all employment was in the agricultural sector. From 2006 to 2010, growth rates in the Shire of Boddington have averaged 3.4% pa, with some additional growth in Williams and Wandering, reflecting the re-opening of Newmont Boddington Gold Mine (NBGM) and the expansion of Worsley’s alumina operations. There are three broad causes of population growth: Expansion of the economic base In-bound migration of people with no direct economic link to the district Increase in the number of ‘local’ mining employees Expansion of the economic base is possible in several main areas: Agriculture intensification and value-add Tourism Mining services (training, technology) and increased local participation in mining value chain Increased local participation and growth of the population and community driven service sector, retail, tourism spin-off etc An increase in the level of in-bound migration is also feasible if the District has adequate lifestyle opportunities in terms of education, training, facilities and choice of employment and accommodation. These migrants are people who can make a lifestyle choice and have no direct link to the local economy, for example: Retirees and pre-retiree ‘tree-changers’ Tele-workers The opportunity for increasing the mine working resident population is regarded as low. Working patterns are set and little change is expected in scale of mining operations. Workforce turnover is also relatively low. The alternative strategy is to seek growth in the local mining service sector through negotiation with the two major operators NBGM and BHPB Worsley. Industry and business growth opportunities are realistic and diverse. The research and analysis carried out in the preparation of the EDS has concluded that there are seven core industrial/business focus areas: 1. Value adding to mining and resource based industries with potential requirement for light and general industrial service land. 2. Primary agriculture production in livestock and cereals/feedstock, with spin off potential to increase agri-service industries, value added processing and venture into emerging agri/organic-sectors with potential requirement for light and general industrial service land. Syme Marmion & Co Boddington Economic Development Strategy iv 3. Gourmet food/fine food products and health and wellbeing products derived from the land, with potential to expand the home based business sector and potential requirement for light industrial land and small main street retail hub. 4. Construction industries, with potential to branch out into green technologies and resource efficient technologies with high potential for affordable rural branding with potential requirement for light and general industrial service land. 5. Tourism, taking advantage of the wealth of natural recreation and adventure resources and local rural, heritage and mining visitor attractions; potential to build upon a ‘Hotham’ brand, potential to increase motel, inn, short stay accommodation base, add to and supplement the event calendar with performance arts, collectors meets etc, requirement to identify and service a semi-permanent ‘ground’ for markets, events and gatherings, main street tourist office/interpretation centre and tour staging point; opportunity to engage wealth of existing voluntary and not-for-profit organisations and build upon local knowledge base. 6. Population and personal services related to health care, aged care, education, safety, wellbeing, technology training and business support with potential for small main street outlets and essential worker housing. 7. Creative industries drawing upon NBN (although all industry sectors above will also benefit from NBN) with potential to expand the home based business sector and combined technology resource centre. Opportunity to engage youth and retiree population. Services to these industry and business opportunities are essential and the demand for reliable water, sewerage, power and NBN supply exists and will increase with growth. Failure to meet the service needs of emerging industries and businesses will impede growth and economic sustainability; local business growth could be lost to Mandurah and Bunbury. Enhancement and engagement of the existing and potential human capital within the district is essential to a sustainable economy and community. Future projects should be developed in an inclusive a manner as possible. The local population is multi-skilled and proud of their settlements. The region is well served with representative groups and networks. The responsibility for the economic and community development of the district can be shared by Local Government through partnerships