Draft Economic Development Strategy

The draft Economic Development Strategy is a five-year plan to support Banyule's economic activity and sustain growth. It provides long-term economic development strategies and objectives that link to the Council Plan 2021-2025 and Community Vision 2041.

Within the Strategy there are six themes and strategic actions that consider the economic and demographic trends impacting our local economy, as well as an outline of the issues and opportunities that affect Banyule’s economy and business community. The draft Strategy was developed following a background report which was presented to Council in May 2022.

The Strategy is particularly important at this point in time given past challenges and our ongoing recovery from COVID-19.

And we'd love to know what you think! Read about the themes and strategic actions below and complete the short survey.

Themes and strategic directions

The draft Economic Development Strategy outlines six key themes and strategic directions for the Banyule economy. They will be used to identify the project opportunities and future actions for Council to achieve desired economic outcomes.

Theme 1, p. 25 - 29

Support and grow the business community to generate industry growth and successful economic outcomes.

Strategic directions

  1. Promote business recovery and resilience
  2. Encourage business investment and attraction
  3. Improve business networking, engagement and collaboration
  4. Reduce legislative and regulatory burdens on business

Theme 2, p. 30 - 33

Providing a diverse and ready local labour force that has an opportunity to work locally.

Strategic directions

  1. Attract and develop a ‘job ready’ local labour force to meet industry needs
  2. Ensure workforce supply and diversity
  3. Support procurement activity that generates local, social, economic and environmental outcomes
  4. Activate and support social enterprise in Banyule

Theme 3, p. 34 - 37

Promote the development of the La Trobe NEIC and ensure the Banyule economy is a key beneficiary of the cluster’s future economic success.

Strategic directions

  1. Support completion of planning for the cluster
  2. Understand the future role of HWBP and ensure its sustainability
  3. Facilitate growth of the health and food industries

Theme 4, p. 38 - 41

Activate and improve activity centres throughout Banyule to support a range of uses, increase visitation and usage and deliver benefits to residents, workers, businesses and visitors.

Strategic directions

  1. A coordinated and strategic approach to activity centre networks
  2. Support a diversity of uses including retail, hospitality and commercial
  3. Support and enable Traders’ Associations to activate and enhance activity centres using an outcomes-based approach

Theme 5, p. 42 - 45

Facilitate the growth of the visitor economy by leveraging Banyule’s unique natural and economic assets and enhancing the visitor experience.

Strategic directions

  1. Enhance visitor amenity, infrastructure and services
  2. Improve opportunities to expand and enhance the night time economy
  3. Promote and protect Banyule’s existing tourism assets and activities

Theme 6, p. 46 - 49

Create an innovative and environmentally sustainable economy that generates growth opportunities and influences future strategic investments.

Strategic directions

  1. Support the development of a sustainable and circular ‘green economy’
  2. Build business resilience to current and future climate impacts

Survey

Have your say

Tell us what you think about the draft Economic Development Strategy. Share your thoughts until 31 March 2023.

What we did

Engagement and research

The Strategy is informed by policy, research and community engagement. To support development of the draft Strategy, we:

  • formed a Project Reference Group (PRG)
  • undertook an online survey on Shaping Banyule, from which we received over 70 contributions
  • delivered four in-person workshops
  • completed five targeted interviews with subject matter experts including government, business, community and Council staff
  • reviewed relevant international, national, state and local policy and plans
  • researched and benchmarked information relating to economic opportunities and participation.

Information from engagement and research was used to create a Background Report which was presented to Council in May 2022.

PRG

Project Reference Group

An Expression of Interest (EOI) process was carried out to recruit community members for the Economic Development Strategy and Recovery Plan 2022-25 Project Refence Group (PRG). The PRG has helped to guide and define the direction of the Strategy.

As a result of the EOI process, twelve places were filled representing a broad cross section of the community. Membership was drawn from:

  • Banyule Trader Associations, Business Associations or Body Corporates (Centre Managers or Committee Members/Presidents)
  • Representative Bodies in Melbourne’s North (organisation or government)
  • La Trobe University
  • Public and private hospitals
  • Banyule Business operators and/or owners

The PRG was chaired by Councillors Rick Garotti and Peter Dimarelos. The PRG Terms of Reference can be reviewed here.