East Gippsland Shire Council would like feedback on its economic strategy, which takes into consideration businesses working to bounce back from the economic hits of the past few years and establish the ‘new normal’ in the COVID-19 era.

Council’s draft Economic Development Strategy embraces a 10-year Economic Vision that reflects the municipality’s economic drivers and opportunities and looks at short, medium and long-term priorities. A four-year Council Action Plan will accompany the strategy. Delivering the strategy will involve coordinating efforts between Council and external stakeholders.

Mayor Cr Mark Reeves said stakeholders have provided valuable input into the draft.

“Involving stakeholders to co-design the draft Economic Development Strategy with us is at the core of this project. The aim was to genuinely engage stakeholders in East Gippsland’s economic future, including groups not ordinarily involved in these conversations,” Cr Reeves said.

“The co-design process included 25 direct stakeholder interviews and a forum with over 50 people. We also set up two focus groups who contributed several times throughout the drafting process. One group was focused on traditional economic wealth building sectors, whilst the second group focused on less traditional and emerging sectors.

“The community, and in particular the business sector, has been anticipating this strategy for some time. We acknowledge there has been a delay.

"We have prepared this strategy with a good understanding of the impact natural disasters and the global pandemic have had on our industry sectors. This means the draft strategy understands the economic landscape, industry trends and responds to current and future needs,” Cr Reeves said.

The strategy aims to be innovative and practical with priorities that are targeted, realistic and achievable.

“Council seeking feedback to provide higher degrees of confidence that they strategy will have support from stakeholders. Council can then drive the actions in this strategy with confidence,” Cr Reeves said.

The draft strategy can be viewed on the Your Say East Gippsland website.

Feedback closes Thursday 21 July.

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