Rural City of Wangaratta SUBMISSION 23 62-68 Ovens Street Wangaratta Vic. 3677 P.O. Box 238 Wangaratia 3678 DX 219459 Wangaratta Telephone (03) 5722 0888 Facsimile (03) 5721 9526 E-mail [email protected] Website www.wangaratta.vic.gov.au TTY (03) 5722 0800 (For hearing irnpared) In Replying Please Quote: sd:DS / di: 334139 If Calling Please Ask For: 24 March 2009 The Secretary StfKH Cllf Of Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport, Wangaratta Regional Development and Local Government House of Representatives Parliament House CANBERRA ACT 2600 Dear Sir Inquiry into the impact of the global financial crisis on regional Australia In response to your call for submissions in relation to the above, I am pleased to submit the Wangaratta Unlimited Global Economic Downturn Response Strategy as the Rural City of Wangaratta's submission. By way of background, Wangaratta Unlimited is the economic development arm of the Rural City of Wangaratta. In November last year it decided to take a proactive response to the global economic downturn and commenced developing a response strategy. This strategy was finalised in February 2009 and submitted to Council for adoption. The strategy is based on the premise that "now is not the time to be timid". It acknowledges that while the Wangaratta regional economy will not be immune from the affects of the economic downturn, there are measures that can be undertaken to buffer these affects and indeed provide offsets to employment and economic activity in other directions. It is nominated four key directions for doing so: • Direct economic stimulation • Innovation and entrepreneurship • Leadership • Business support I look forward to your consideration of the Wangaratta Unlimited Global Economic Downturn Response Strategy and would be prepared to provide further information should you wish in this regard. RECEIVED Doug Sharp 3 1 MAR 2009 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STANDING COMMITTEE ON End. INFRASTRUCTURE, TRANSPORT REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT g:\ex e Printed on an Australian product made from 100% recycled waste. SUBMISSION 23 WANG 4RATX4 UNLIMITED BACKGROUND Sn recognition of the potential impacts that the global economic downturn may have on the region's economy and employment the board of Wangaratta Unlimited held a dedicated planning workshop on Thursday 12 February 2009 to determine a response strategy and action plan. The objective of the nominated strategy is to minimise the adverse effects of the global economic downturn whilst continuing to address our key goals of encouraging new investment and creating the right environment for new and existing business to achieve their aspirations for growth. The successful implementation of this strategy will further enhance the desired liveability attributes of the Rural City of Wangaratta as determined in the 2030 Community Vision. The following considerations and acknowledgements were identified in considering the response strategy: * To date Australia has been somewhat insulated from the effects of the global economy, however this insulation cannot last; * Strategies need to have the aim of promoting economic resilience; » Acknowledge that there will be downturns in parts of our economy; * Strategies and actions must work to maximise inflows, minimise outflows and reduce costs within Wangaratta; ® We need a mix of short, medium and long term strategies and projects; ® We need to ascertain the businesses or sectors that need extra support and also those which can capitalise on opportunities within the downturn; * A diverse range and a higher proportion of small to medium enterprises (SME's) in a region provide some insulation against economic downturn; * Economic downturns and recovery are part of a cycle. To deliver the desired outcomes and buffer our economy against these impacts the following strategic direction has been established: 1. DIRECT ECONOMIC STIMULATION 2. INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP 3. LEADERSHIP " ' 4. BUSINESS SUPPORT - ' SUBMISSION 23 -'- t SUBMISSION 23 WANG 4RAT1A UNL I MlT E D DIRECT ECONOMIC STIIVIULATSON In partnership with other levels of government the Rural City of Wangaratta can directly stimulate the economy through large short, medium and long term infrastructure projects. Infrastructure Investment CURRENT PLANNED AND COMMITTED PROJECTS Project Status Outcome Private/Public sector investment Water Security Report by 30 June Potential works, food bowl concept, State and Project Value domestic supply Bunnings $10M Showgrounds Funding being sourced Increased liveability attributes, stronger redevelopment S2.4M Stage 1 retail/commerce sector Lloyd's Ovens Riverside Devt $9M Centre for Medical Feasibility study funded Potential Works, recurrent operations and Sydney Hotel - Stage 1 S1.6M Excellence jobs, enhance local specialist and GP support Omni Group (car parking) $15M Hume Strategy Major report required by 30 June Prospectus for investment and works Co Store $25M Ovens Riverside Precinct Funding application pending Capital works, increased liveability attributes, $3.1M retail opportunities Security Foods $25M Car parking solution Proposal pending Capital works catalyst for further investment, Technical Education Centre $10M retail opportunities National Centre for Equine Education $10M Increased liveability attributes Performing Arts Centre $8M Wangaratta Government Feasibility underway Capital works, regionalisation, recurrent jobs Centre Expansion Augmentation of township Nominated in North East Water 5 Enhanced liveability, catalyst for private water/sewer schemes year business plan sector investment Political Advocacy The role of the board of Wangaratta Unlimited in the direct stimulation of the economy is one of advocacy. Currently the Rural City of Wangaratta enjoys a solid working relationship with the State Government of Victoria. This relationship can be supported and strengthened at given opportunities by Wangaratta Unlimited. Projects such as the possibilities around the Centre for Medical Excellence and the Ovens Food Bowl can be presented to the State Government with the backing of Wangaratta Unlimited and this strengthens the validity of such projects. Wangaratta Unlimited can help the Rural City of Wangaratta make connections into the Federal Government and strengthen ties with the State Government through: • raising awareness of funding opportunities • approaches and advocacy on a one-to-one basis through the Senate and Federal Government (especially the local Federal member) » extend invitations to senators for specific visitation programs » using projects such as the Food Bowl as opportunities to forge solid relationships • "Ambassadors" that is, high profile identities with a connection to our region who may agree to be advocates publicly and politically for Wangaratta SUBMISSION 23 WANG 4RATTA UNLIMITED INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURS*-!!? Current examples of projects are * Ovens & King Food Bowl * Centre for Medical Excellence * Central car parking development * Wangaratta Turf Club opportunities * Ned Kelly Interpretive Centre * Exploring opportunities around regionalisation of government departments and other resettlement possibilities * Renewable Energy Project * Performing Arts Centre conferencing opportunities * Resettlement possibilities LEADERSHIP Wangaratta Unlimited can use their position as respected business people to provide leadership within the business and industry sector. Some business owners, operators and staff will never have experienced an economic downturn of this magnitude before and will need guidance from creditable business leaders and government networks to learn how to best traverse the situation. Through good communication (public relations and networking) the board can achieve the following * disseminate information regarding the skill set of the board * avenues of assistance « checklists of tools for difficult times * mentoring provision * Facilitate a collective marketing strategy for the retail and services sector * Utilise local leadership capacity through existing leadership forums 4/ SUBMISSION 23 WANG ARATTA UNLIMITED BUSINESS SUPPORT Business support will be further progressed by council officers facilitating and addressing business enquiries, information dissemination through established networks and the Rural City of Wangaratta website. « Reduce expenditure leakage from our retail catchment • Collaborative marketing • Facilitating the delivery of business information sessions and workshops • Progress the industry gap analysis and facilitate a regional industry link initiative • Enhance the capability of established local tourism and business associations to achieve their nominated objectives • Targeted networking 5/ SUBMISSION 23 WAN; ARATTA. U M L. I M I T L [i .'I • POLITICAI ADVOCACY Ken 3uttc we™!" • Establishing association with X Cr Lisa Mclnerney ambassadors Greg Larkins • Establishing association with Senators X Cr Ron Webb and other Federal Govt reps • Ovens Food Bowl X X « Wangaratta High School Centenary X Board members to 'survey' X AS! - - I . - . - Progress industry gap analysis X X Half page feature in The Chronicle X Council officers Business tools for difficult times checklist X Council officers Mentoring provision X Jock Vance • advocate for the development of a Max White collective marketing strategy John Brown • accelerate business development and Michael Carlile marketing initiatives via agency networks Liz Long FACILITATED BY COUNCIL OFFICERS Facilitate the local provision of funded X Council officers workshops, one-to-one business diagnostics or other business learning opportunities Reduce expenditure leakage from our retail X X X Greg Larkins catchment Jock Vance Shivaun Brown Association capability development X X Council officers 1 \ •-1 r r \ 6/.