The 2024 Murrindindi Economic Development Strategy (EDS) will respond to the significant changes in the business and employment environment due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, global economic trends, and cost-of-living. The Strategy will be a five-year plan to support business and employment in Murrindindi Shire. The development of an Economic Development Strategy is an action of the Council Plan 2021-2025.

Economic development typically refers to growing and supporting an economy. This means growth in economic activity such as more exports of agricultural and manufactured products, or more visitors spending money on retail and hospitality offerings. Growth, in turn, allows businesses to invest in new equipment, hire more people and pay higher wages. Greater economic activity also means higher government revenues and more money to spend on better quality services for the community. Economic development enables a higher standard of living and improved amenity for all in Murrindindi Shire.

The Strategy will provide a future state for Murrindindi Shire, aligned to our unique strengths and opportunities. This will go beyond just growth measures and the number of jobs. Growth requires a well-functioning economy and must include a fair distribution of wealth and opportunity and must consider the environment allow for a stable climate and healthy ecosystems. Economic prosperity is also linked to the liveability of an area. Supporting local towns, activity centres, community events, visitation, and access to high-quality infrastructure and services enables a strong economy and great communities.

The purpose of stage one engagement is to seek feedback:

• on the five identified economic Priority Areas and Outcomes
• to help develop the draft Economic Development Strategy
• to help identify economic strengths, weaknesses and opportunities
• on where you would like to see Murrindindi Shire’s economy in five years’ time

The Strategy has a strong focus on Outcomes, under core Priority Areas. The Outcomes will be delivered via a rolling two-year Action Plan. The Action Plan will sit along the Strategy and be delivered over the five-year term.

What is an Economic Development Strategy?

Economic development typically refers to growing and supporting an economy. This means growth in economic activity such as more exports of agricultural and manufactured products, or more visitors spending money on retail and hospitality offerings. Growth, in turn, allows businesses to invest in new equipment, hire more people and pay higher wages. Greater economic activity also means higher government revenues and more money to spend on better quality services for the community. Economic development enables a higher standard of living and improved amenity for people in Murrindindi Shire.

How will we develop the Strategy and Action Plan?

The Strategy and Action Plan will be developed using a combination of:

• existing data on current and past economic indicators
• community feedback and input
• input from key stakeholders, including business operators, workers and interested community members

How will Council be guided by the Strategy?

The Strategy will provide a future state for Murrindindi Shire, aligned to our unique strengths and opportunities. This will go beyond just growth measures and the number of jobs. Growth requires a well-functioning economy and must include a fair distribution of wealth and opportunity and must consider the environment to allow for a stable climate and healthy ecosystems. Economic prosperity is also closely linked to the liveability of an area. Supporting local towns, activity centres, community events, visitation, and access to high-quality infrastructure and services enables a strong economy and great communities.

What is the outcome of this consultation?

The stage one consultation activities will test the identified Priority Areas and Outcomes as well as uncover any missing elements. The project will result in a new Economic Development Strategy and a rolling 2-year Action Plan that will deliver the Outcomes of the Strategy. The new strategy and action plan will aim to support the local economy in Murrindindi Shire, supporting our local businesses and workforce. Once a draft Strategy is prepared, we will seek further community feedback in 2024, before it is finalised and presented to Council.

What are the five Priority Areas?
The five Priority Areas are

1. Visitor Economy
2. Agriculture and Food Production
3. Business Support
4. Sustainable Future
5. Prosperous Communities

How have we developed the five Priority Areas?

We have analysed and assessed previous related strategies as well as regional plans and economic data from multiple sources. The identified Priority Areas try to match the strengths of Murrindindi Shire’s economy with a focus on in the future of our economy over the next 5 years.

Have questions or want to learn more about economic development, contact us below:

Ben Harnwell, Manager Economic Development

P: (03) 5772 0333

The last Economic Development Strategy was developed in 2011 and concluded in 2016. Several other strategies have been developed and implemented across the broad Economic Development spectrum. These include Shire and Regional:

• Murrindindi Shire Snapshot
• Murrindindi Shire Council's Tourism and Events Strategy
• Murrindindi Shire Council's COVID-19 Business Recovery Plan
• Murrindindi Shire Council's Business Investment Prospectus
• Murrindindi Shire Council's Housing and Settlement Strategy
• Goulburn Regional Economic Development Strategy
• Hume Strategy (Lower Hume Sub Regional Plan)
• Hume Regional Circular Economy Plan

Once we have gathered feedback during this initial phase of the project, we’ll prepare the draft Economic Development Strategy and rolling two-year Action Plan and release it for public comment around March 2024. The draft Strategy and Action plan will be presented to Council for adoption at the May 2024 Scheduled Meeting of Council.