SCENIC RIM'S FIRST EVER STRATEGY FOCUSED ON ECONOMIC GROWTH

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Regional Prosperity Strategy Cover

A five-year economic development strategy, which sets a clear direction and roadmap for the Scenic Rim's future economic growth and sustainability, was adopted at today's Ordinary Council Meeting.

The adoption of the Scenic Rim Regional Prosperity Strategy 2020-2025 follows the adoption of the inaugural Scenic Rim Planning Scheme 2020, Council's new Investment Attraction Program and its Infrastructure Charges Deferral Guidelines, which are all levers to drive regional prosperity.

Mayor Greg Christensen said that while the Scenic Rim had a strong economy, the region has some challenges that the strategy aims to address.

"In 2018-19 Gross Regional Product (GRP) for the region was a record $1.9 billion, which followed the strong growth in 2017-18, where GRP grew by 3.3 per cent from the previous year, and was well above the State average of 2.2 per cent," he said.

"In the same period, the number of jobs in the region grew by more than 900 (from 14,351 to 15,253) with jobs spread across a number of industry sectors, and construction, agriculture, education and training and health care and social assistance leading the charge.  

"While that's positive news, our current challenges include impacts from drought and bushfires, a growing ageing population, and 40% of our working population commuting to places like Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan and the Gold Coast.

The Regional Prosperity Strategy provides the framework and details the strategies that will support the ultimate goal of creating valuable jobs for local people.

Business investment in the region is key to supporting the strategy and, with the Scenic Rim Planning Scheme 2020, which comes into effect in March, and the new Investment Attraction Incentives Program, doing business in Scenic Rim will be more streamlined than ever before.

"Businesses and investors will have the opportunity to work closely with Council officers from the conception of the business idea to help them navigate processes to make sure the experience is efficient, transparent and positive," Cr Christensen said.

"Council officers will also work closely with eligible businesses on a case-by-case basis to look at opportunities to ease the pressure of infrastructure charges by potentially deferring payments.

"It's important that we attract investment that aligns with our Community Plan and drives jobs growth for our local residents."

The Scenic Rim Regional Prosperity Strategy 2020-2025 will be officially launched at a business breakfast in Beaudesert tomorrow morning and is available under Corporate Publications on Council's website.