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Shoalhaven
Economic Growth & Advocacy Group – Monday 27 May 2024
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EG24.11 Advocacy
and Growth - Staff Update
HPERM Ref: D24/170587
Department: Tourism
& Economic Development
Approver: Coralie
McCarthy, Acting Director - City Futures
Reason for Report
The
purpose of this report is to provide the Shoalhaven Economic Growth and
Advocacy (SEGA) group with an update on key projects in the City Futures
Directorate.
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Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority)
That the Shoalhaven Economic
Growth and Advocacy Group receive this report for their information.
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Options
1. Receive this report for
information.
Implications: The SEGA group will be provided with a high-level overview of key
priorities and projects.
2. Request additional information.
Implications: Staff will provide additional information during the
meeting if possible, or later after further investigation.
Background
The Tourism and Economic
Development team within Shoalhaven City Council provide regular reports to the SEGA
group. Below you will find information covering local business support
activities, event insights, strategy reviews, open funding opportunities,
visitor statistics and various council updates.
Managers Update –
Financial Sustainability
Staff
are currently undertaking a Service Review for the Visitor Information Services
operations in Shoalhaven under direction of the Financial Sustainability
Project.
At
Council’s Ordinary meeting on 6 May 2024, it was resolved that the Draft
Delivery Program Operational Plan and Budget 2024-25 would be put on Public
Exhibition (CL24.118). Industry is encouraged to make a submission on the Draft
Budget, DPOP Actions and/or proposed Fees and Charges. The documents will be on
exhibition until 10 June and will be available
for viewing on Council’s Get Involved website at
getinvolved.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au. Submissions made will be considered by
Council prior to the final budget being adopted at Council’s 24 June Meeting.
Economic Growth Update
Council staff have participated
in, or provided feedback towards the following Economic Development matters:
· Attended
meetings of the Shoalhaven Motor Sports Working Group
· Stakeholder
for the Illawarra Shoalhaven Regional Economic Development Strategy
· Member
of the Nowra Riverfront Action Taskforce
· Organised
and attended the April 2024 CEO Business Forum
· Member
of the Shoalhaven Careers Advisors Network (SCAN)
· Support
of the Shoalhaven Business Chamber – Business After Hours events
· Support
and attend the Shoalhaven Professional Business Association meetings and
events
· Supported
the South Coast Beef Association’s Steer Spectacular event
· Attend/Present
at various Business Chamber meetings and hosted Business Chamber round-table
discussions with Council staff
· Ongoing
collaboration with Telstra and NBN regarding the Shoalhaven Connectivity Action
Plan
· Supported
and advocated for businesses impacted by recent flood events
· Attended
meetings and briefings regarding the 24hr Economy Uptown and Accelerator
programs
· Attended
and facilitated Illawarra Shoalhaven Defence Network events and showcases
· Attended
Tourism Australia’s RTO Forum and Destination Australia Conference
· Attended DSSS and Destination NSW Visitor Economy Strategy
Review Workshop
Advocacy
Update
· Internal
and external consultations are underway to update Council’s Advocacy
Document in time for the upcoming Government Elections. The team is
currently reviewing the existing key projects and investigating new initiatives
to include that meet community and business needs. Previously provided feedback
from SEGA has been considered in the preparation of the draft document and
presented to the Executive Management Team, SEGA will receive ongoing updates
on this project.
Strategy Reviews
· Currently
reviewing Councils Shoalhaven Economic Development Strategy and the
Tourism Destination Management Plan to map out alignment, goals and actions
ready to collaborate with stakeholders before renewal.
· Council
is part of a working group to develop a broader Illawarra Shoalhaven Economic
Development Strategy, which is being led by the Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint
Organisation. This Strategy will be launched in near future.
· Reviewing
and providing a submission to the draft Community Improvement Districts Bill
2023, being led by Transport for NSW. Submissions were due 29 March 2024.
Further information can be found here.
· Reviewing
and providing comment to the draft discussion paper on Short Term rental
Accommodation (STRA) alongside Council’s Strategic Planning team to
provide feedback to Planning NSW. Further information can be found here.
· Reviewed
and provided a submission to the draft Shellharbour Airport Master Plan
regarding benefits to tourism and the economy. The draft plan can be found here.
Defence and Manufacturing Sector Development
· Illawarra
Shoalhaven Regional Defence Network - member of the Steering Committee and
ongoing involvement in arranging events and programs:
o Arrange
regular Illawarra Shoalhaven Regional Defence Network lunch events
o Defence
Career Videos and Case Studies are being created
o Capability
mapping project has recently requested quotations for the project
o Stallholder
at Illawarra Career Expo in May 2024
o Upgrade
of information and material on the Network’s website
o Ongoing
social media content being developed and promoted.
o Support
of relevant programs and events such as the Defence Industry Conference and
Defence Industry breakfast
o Creation
of the Aircraft Maintenance Engineer attraction program to address skills
shortages.
Industrial Land Updates
The sale process of Council
Employment/Industrial Land has recently changed due to the Councillor’s
resolution of 25 March 2024 (MIN24.171C) excerpt below:
4. That any future employment
land is sold without any restriction as to use or compulsion to complete
building works within a specified timeframe., and future employment land is
sold for not less than an independent market valuation.
5. That Council’s Employment Land (Industrial Land)
policy be developed to reflect the abovementioned resolutions.
· Flinders
Stage 11 - Ongoing development to create 4 lots available for sale.
· AATP
Stage 5 – Approaching completion and will progress to a sale process of
15 available lots.
· Woollamia
Stage 5a - Ongoing development to create 6 available lots for sale.
· Remaining
lots in Woollamia Stage 5 and Flinders Stage 10 - The 5 remaining lots across
these 2 industrial areas were recently sold.
Local Business Support
· Attendance
at Destination NSW inbound tourism workshops in region, and attendance at DSSS
Centre of Excellence familiarisations
· Discussion
with CommBank regarding Local Business Insights, Council strategies and their
IQ data service
· Discussion
with Economy id to discuss the new modules on offer
· Discussions
with relocation businesses and career opportunities for Shoalhaven residents
· Discussions
with Illawarra & South Coast Jobs Network re: Introduction to the
‘Get a Job South Coast”
· The
Economic Development team hosted AusIndustry in April to discuss closer working
relationships and additional opportunities to support local businesses via
funding programs, business services and information sharing
· Attendance
at Shoalhaven Business Awards Launch, which was held at Harry Sawkins Park with
the Nowra Farmers Market
· Attended
the launch of the Shoalhaven Food Network Autumn Food Event
· Meeting
with Regional Development Australia’s new CEO Selena Stevens to gain a
better understanding of the new RDA Illawarra Shoalhaven and its boundaries
· Visited
the SCC Flood Recovery Centre at the Nowra Showground
Economy Data (Attachment 1)
The Peak Period Comparison
report attached shows Nov 2023 – Jan 2024* Spend transactional data from
Localis Data Company that primarily maps transactions from the VISA network for
both local and visitor spend. This report is benchmarked against other
destinations such as Orange and Noosa, and factors in insights from other
Localis data such as accommodation booking and mobility (mobile phone location)
data from 2023.
Key insights are as follows:
o Transaction
data in Shoalhaven showed a 13% drop in local spend and a 20% drop in visitor
spend from November 2023 to Jan 2024 compared to the same period in the
previous years
o January
2024 spend in Shoalhaven by visitors dropped 36%
o January
2024 spend in Shoalhaven by locals dropped 18%
o Shoalhaven
accommodation bookings averaged 30-40% of capacity during the months of July
through to October 2023, as compared to Noosa and Orange in the same period who
averaged around 60 – 70% occupancy
· Market
segments with the largest downturn of visitor spend (year on year) in
Shoalhaven for the period of November to January:
o -
36% on hotels and lodging
o -
21% restaurants & dining
o -
20% on retail
o -
20% on entertainment
· Tourism
Research Australia data year ending December 2023 shows an annual total
estimated visitor expenditure of $1.485 billion. This total was growing
steadily but has been volatile since hitting the $1 billion mark in December
2019.**
*Localis Data Company, VISA,
mobility and Accommodation booking insights November 2023 to January 2024
**Tourism Research Australia
National and International Visitor Survey 2019 – 2023
Marketing and Promotion:
· Activated
Shop Shoalhaven campaigns for Easter and Mother’s Day, as well as new
features to bundle bespoke hampers. A new call out was made for additional
products also.
· Soft
launch and business consultation of the new business-to-business website has
occurred, with testing underway before promotion.
· Preparation
Autumn Wellness post-campaign report is underway, with articles coming through
from journalist familiarisations in March, and analysis of leads to website and
industry from advertising.
· With
reduced budget available at this time, a basic food campaign for winter will be
launched in June, consisting mainly of publicity and digital marketing.
· Tourism
Marketing Specialist attending the Australian Tourism Exchange with
collaborative international marketing brand for the South Coast, The Grand
Pacific Drive.
Event Update General
· Zeah McMillan
joined the events team in the Event Liaison Officer role on Monday 6 May.
· The Uptown Grant
Program Round three from the Office of the 24-Hour Commissioner is currently
open, with applications closing 22 May 2024. The have been promoting this
program and organised an information session for local businesses took place on
Thursday 11 April at Council Chambers which was well attended. From initial
discussions it looks as though applications will be made from 4 districts in
the Shoalhaven (Berry, Nowra, Sussex Inlet and Huskisson).
· The DNSW Regional
Event Fund closed in April. Shoalhaven had 11 event organisers apply for the
grant, the events team supported them by provided letters of support, local
tourism data from Localis Data Company and event specific REMPLAN reports.
· The events team
continue a review of policies and procedures, working to streamline the event
application process. The first stage of this review is now completed, with the
Pop-Up Stall permit application and Film permit application has now been moved
online via the council website.
· General update on
events processed on Council owned or managed land in:
o Following the same trend from
the previous quarter, there were another 63* events processed and approved on
Council land in January to March, bringing the total
number of events processed by the Events Team this financial year to 158*.
These events included monthly markets, triathlons,
sporting competitions, music festivals and the local agriculture shows.
o There has been an increase in
monthly markets as well as more larger scale events (more than 1000 attendees)
across the region.
o The team supported 11 ANZAC
Day marches and services across the region, with the majority of services
requiring additional support with traffic guidance schemes and traffic control.
*This count taken from internal
events calendar run by events team as at 02.05.2024
Event Support
Program (Grants)
The February
2024 Round of the Event Support Program is on hold due to Councils current
Financial Sustainability measures. The round received 33 applications for new
events prior to the funding cuts, resulting in no new funding being awarded. 33
applicants represented a 57% increase in applications than in the previous
round.
From previous
rounds of funding, the below sponsored events have run:
Volleymook Tour
– Mollymook
· Brumbies Rugby
South Coast 7's – Ulladulla
· Classic Car Show
& Shine – Sussex Inlet
· Rhythmic
& Aerobic Gymnastics State Championships – Bomaderry
Still to come in the second half
of 2024 is:
· Beer
& BBQ Festival – Huskisson
· Viking
Festival – Sussex Inlet
· Summit
Shoalhaven – Kangaroo Valley & Surrounds
· Buangla Music and
Arts Festival – Coolendel
· Coast Forage
– Vincentia
· Volleyball NSW
State Championships – Mollymook
· Huskisson Triathlon Festival
– Huskisson
Visitor Information
Services
The recent period has seen a
robust influx of visitors, predominantly consisting of interstate travellers
and caravan enthusiasts, who have opted for prolonged stays. The delightful
Easter weather played a significant role in drawing holidaymakers outdoors,
engaging them in a variety of adventures and activities. Our dedicated Mobile
Tourism Van has been actively distributing essential guides, including the
latest edition of Our Favourite Walks booklet.
From 7 March to 2 May 2024, the
Ulladulla Visitor Centre and Library proudly presented the 'Bidhiinja:
Restoring Our Oyster Reefs' Exhibition. This enlightening exhibition showcases
the forgotten history of New South Wales oyster reefs and highlighted the
ongoing restoration efforts aimed at revitalising these crucial marine
habitats.
In the realm of local commerce,
the Shop
Shoalhaven online store has expanded its range by incorporating
additional local suppliers, thereby broadening its array of regional products.
This expansion comes with the exciting introduction of specially curated
Mother's Day hampers.
In alignment with directives
from Shoalhaven City Council, the management team has been diligently working
towards enhancing operational efficiencies and achieving cost savings. As part
of this initiative, the Nowra Visitor Centre is set to undergo a trial period
of altered operating hours, ceasing Sunday operations and reducing Saturday
hours starting from 27 April 2024. This change is subject to a reassessment in
the forthcoming financial year, ensuring that community needs and
organisational objectives continue to be met effectively.
Grants
Spotlight – Current Business and Community Opportunities
Climate Smart Agriculture Program – Depart of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Small Grants up to $100,000 to support sustainable
agriculture projects
Applications Close 4 June
2024
The Climate-Smart Agriculture
Program will support Australia’s agriculture sector to drive climate
-smart, sustainable growth, and protect Australia’s natural capital by
funding best practice sustainable agriculture and natural resource management
activities.
The intended Climate-Smart
Agriculture Program outcomes are to drive agricultural productivity and
sustainability by supporting farmers and primary producers to:
· Adopt
climate-smart practices that reduce emissions and build resilience to climate
change
· Understand and
benefit from participation in carbon and biodiversity markets
· Apply
natural resource management practices that improve soil and protect biodiversity
Individuals and groups that are
eligible to apply for Small Grants: (not limited to)
· Farming systems
groups
· Local Landcare
groups
· Individuals and
farming entities including farmers, pastoralists, farm foresters, aquaculture
operators and fishers who can demonstrate the public benefits of the project
· Networks operating
in the agricultural landscape
· Friends-of
organisations and other community-based groups
· Women and youth
groups who have been operating in the sustainable agriculture landscape
· Groups whose
membership is predominantly made up of Indigenous Australians
Funding is available over a
two-year period. All programs must be completed by November 2026.
Co-contribution is required but the program allows for in-kind contribution
including special services, knowledge and expertise.
For more information and to access the full funding
guidelines please click here.
ClubGRANTS Category 1 – Clubs NSW
Small grants between $1,000 and $10,000
Applications Close on 31 May
2024, 6.00pm
ClubGRANTS Category 1 is
currently accepting applications for initiatives that support welfare and
social services, community development, employment assistance activities, health
services, and projects aimed at improving the living standards of low income
and disadvantaged people.
The Shoalhaven Local Committee
has identified the following priority areas for funding support in the
Shoalhaven: safe and prepared communities, affordable housing opportunities,
vibrant culture and connected communities, sustainable environments, children
and families thrive, healthy and active communities, opportunities for lifelong
learning and accessible transport. Local community groups that have previously
benefited from ClubGRANTS funding include:
· Supported
Accommodation & Homelessness Services Shoalhaven Illawarra (SAHSSI)
· Milton Ulladulla
Men’s Shed
· Culburra Volunteer
Rural Fire Brigade
· Nowra Youth Centre
· Shoalhaven
Education Fund
For more information on how to
apply and eligibility criteria please visit here.
Community Foundation Grants – IMB Bank
Grants up to $20,000 to support community initiatives
Round 4 Applications Close 14
June 2024
The IMB Bank Community Foundation is committed to building
and strengthening our local communities. Applications for funding will be
assessed against their ability to help deliver on these key objectives:
· To encourage and
assist economic, social and environmental diversification within the
communities in which IMB operates
· To advance shared
prosperity and sustainability in the region by supporting social, cultural, environmental,
heritage, educational, tourism and economic initiatives
· To promote the
mutual and self-help philosophies of IMB
· To identify and
support activities that encourage self-sufficiency through transfer of skills
and knowledge, and that may develop new physical resources
· To encourage and
support volunteer inputs throughout the communities
· Ultimately,
to build and strengthen "community assets".
The IMB Bank Community Foundation will seek to support
projects that can demonstrate collaboration with other groups within the
community. In addition, preference will be given to projects that demonstrate a
high degree of self-help, either in the form of the applicant’s own
efforts and work already undertaken, or in the form of actual physical or financial
resources already committed to the project. Please note, successful applicants
will be required to open an IMB Bank account to receive the funding.
More information and access to funding guidelines can be
found here.
Strengthening Rural Communities – Foundation for
Rural Regional Renewal
Small and Vital Program offering grants up to $10,000
Round 21 is now OPEN -
Applications Close 5 June 2024
The Strengthening Rural
Communities Small and Vital program gives small remote, rural and regional
communities across Australia the opportunity to access funds for a broad range
of initiatives that directly benefit communities.
Grants up to $10,000 are available
for grassroots, community led initiatives that directly benefit local
communities through strengthening local people, places and climate solutions
with a preference for smaller communities with populations under 15,000.
For more information and access to funding guidelines please
visit here.
Staff
Updates
Updates for
Tourism and Economic Development:
· Payton Walsh
resigned as Marketing Liaison Officer
· Anna McDonald is
joining the team as the new Marketing Liaison Officer on 11 June
· Renee Wenban
resigned as Event Liaison Officer
· Zeah McMillan
has joined the events team as Event Liaison Officer
· Emelie
Einarsson remains on maternity leave
· Lindsay Conway
remains filling in as the Visitors Services Manager full time
· Kristy
Mayhew remains Acting Tourism and Economic Development Manager
