Maranoa Regional The Maranoa Regional EconomicEconomic Development Development Strategy has Strategy been developed in conjunction with the AEC Group Limited. Disclaimer: 2010 – 2015 page 3 Whilst all care and diligence have been exercised in the preparation of this report, the AEC Group Limited and the Maranoa Regional Council do not warrant the accuracy of the information contained within and accepts no liability for any loss or damage that may be suffered as a result of reliance on this information, whether or not there has been any error, omission or negligence on the part of the AEC Group Limited or their employees. Any forecasts or projections used in the analysis can be affected by a number of unforeseen variables, and as such no warranty is given that a particular set of results will in fact be achieved. Contents Mayor’s Message ................................................................................ 4 Manufacturing ...............................................................................................25 Executive Summary ........................................................................... 5 Mining Equipment Manufacture & Servicing........................................ 25 Maranoa Regional Economic Development Strategy Overview .....................6 Cypress Timber ..................................................................................... 25 Meat Processing ................................................................................... 26 Introduction ........................................................................................ 7 Residential Construction ................................................................................27 Background ............................................................................................ 7 Service Sectors .......................................................................................28 Regional Economic Development Strategy ............................................. 7 Household Services .............................................................................. 28 Context ................................................................................................ 8 Tourism ................................................................................................ 28 Regional Planning Documents ........................................................................8 Environmental ................................................................................................29 Infrastructure ..................................................................................................11 Economic Development Strategy .................................................. 30 Transportation ...................................................................................... 11 Economic Development Vision ............................................................. 30 Utilities................................................................................................. 11 Economic Development Mission .......................................................... 30 Agriculture ........................................................................................... 11 Economic Development Framework ..................................................... 31 Socio-Demographic Profile ............................................................................12 Population & Demography ................................................................... 12 Theme 1: Attracting & Encouraging New Business ..................... 32 Household Characteristics & Property Market ...................................... 12 Theme 2: Supporting & Assisting Current Business..................... 33 Education & Qualifications ................................................................... 12 Economic Profile ............................................................................................14 Theme 3: Expanding the Local Market .......................................... 34 Business Count .................................................................................... 14 Theme 4: Promotion, Marketing & Event Attraction .................. 35 Regional Employment .......................................................................... 14 Gross Regional Production ................................................................... 15 Theme 5: Utilising Natural Resources ............................................ 36 Key Industry Sectors ............................................................................. 15 Economic Context ..........................................................................................16 Theme 6: Best Uses for Existing Facilities, Land and Resources 37 Regional Competitive Advantages ................................................ 17 Theme 7: Building Community Capacity ....................................... 38 Strategic Assets .................................................................................... 17 Implementation Program................................................................ 39 Employment Specialisation .................................................................. 17 Implementing the Economic Development Strategy ............................. 39 Factors Facilitating Growth in Maranoa ....................................... 18 Economic Indicators v Performance Measures ..................................... 39 Internal Factors .................................................................................... 18 Integration between Economic Development and Planning ................. 40 External Factors.................................................................................... 18 Partnerships ...................................................................................... 41 Factors Impeding Growth in Maranoa .......................................... 19 Local Partners ....................................................................................... 41 Internal Factors .................................................................................... 19 External Partners .................................................................................. 41 External Factors.................................................................................... 19 Leveraging Relationships ..................................................................... 42 Opportunities for the Future .......................................................... 20 Acknowledgements ......................................................................... 43 Agriculture & Forestry ....................................................................................21 Horticulture .......................................................................................... 21 Mining & Services ..........................................................................................22 Coal Seam Gas (CSG) Mining and Services .......................................... 22 Coal Mining and Services ..................................................................... 23 Maranoa Regional Economic Development Strategy page 4 2010 – 2015 page 5 Mayor’s Message Executive Summary Shortly after Local Government amalgamations and with a number of projects planned for the region of significant Significant change provides both challenges and opportunities. The Maranoa region is currently By working with national importance, Maranoa Regional Council identified the need to meaningfully plan the development of our undergoing significant change through resource developments, local government amalgamation, regional economy. Council has committed substantial resources to the development of this Strategy and its climate change and other external factors. Solid future economic development and planning provides “local communities implementation. a strong basis for local governments to increase the quality of life for residents, provide increased levels of social and community infrastructure and generate more sustainable communities into the future. The Maranoa Regional Economic Development Strategy is Council’s blueprint to facilitate investment, business and a range of local, growth and employment opportunities (including our youth) for the region and is another step towards fulfilling This regional economic development strategy considers the current changes as well as local input regional and external our community’s vision for the future. The strategy, associated program of work and background research form through stakeholder engagement and thorough analysis of current and historical data. The regional the framework for the future sustainable development of the economy in the Maranoa region. economic development strategy sets forth a five year overarching strategy to overcome the current partners, the Maranoa challenges and maximise future economic opportunities for the betterment of every resident of the The strategy has been developed through extensive engagement with a wide range of stakeholders including region. The strategy is further supported by an implementation program (or program of work), which Regional Council can but not limited to: business (including primary production); industry groups; local development organisations; provides a specific set of annual activities and tasks to achieve the goals and aspirations of the strategy. government agencies; Councillors; and Council staff. The strategy is the first step in proactively developing the