FAQs

When people hear the term economic development, they often think about increasing economic prosperity within a region over time. While economic growth is an important outcome, it is only one component of a broader economic development framework.

Economic development can be broadly categorised into three key functions:

Policy and Analysis

This involves the development and implementation of the Local Economic Development Strategy, which helps guide the region's economic direction and priorities. 

Economic Development also considers State and Federal Government policies, monitors key precincts, and provides economic insights to inform decision-making, investment attraction, and strategic planning across the Georges River area.

Advocacy and Partnerships

This function focuses on strengthening partnerships between the Georges River region and key stakeholders, including neighbouring Southern Sydney councils, State and Federal Government agencies, universities, business organisations such as the Business Chamber South and Committee for Sydney, and local industry groups.

It also includes promoting Georges River as an attractive location for investment, funding opportunities, business growth, and other strategic initiatives that contribute to the region's long-term prosperity.

Local Business Support

Supporting local businesses is a core part of economic development. This includes delivering business-focused programs and events, such as Small Business Month activities, and providing regular updates through the Council's business newsletter.

The Economic Development team also helps businesses identify and access relevant local, State and Federal grant opportunities, while connecting them with information and resources that support growth and resilience.

The economic strategy is based on four key pillars (Celebrating Our Community, A Resilient Economy, A Connected Economy and Future Fit). We are looking at developing and delivering the four pillars in partnership with the local community. 

Four Key Pillars:

Celebrating Our Community: Activated, vibrant and accessible places for businesses to thrive; strong and more resilient communities, and a unique local identity.

A Resilient Economy: Building a diverse and adaptable economy that can respond to change and recover from challenges.

A Connected Economy: Strengthening partnerships, improving connections and promoting Georges River within Greater Sydney and beyond.

Future Fit: Supporting the skills, industries and workforce needed for the economy of tomorrow.

The Economic Development Strategy has been developed through a combination of research, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration with both internal and external experts.

Council's Economic Development team worked closely with subject matter experts from across all Council directorates to better understand local opportunities, challenges, and priorities. This approach has helped ensure the strategy reflects a wide range of perspectives and aligns with Council's broader plans and objectives.

To strengthen the strategy, feedback was also sought from key external stakeholders, including Business Chamber South, Committee for Sydney, and the UNSW Business School. These organisations provided valuable insights on an earlier draft, helping to refine the strategy and ensure it reflects current economic trends, best practice approaches, and the needs of local businesses and the wider community.

The strategy has also been informed by economic data, industry research, and relevant State and Federal Government policies, providing an evidence-based framework to guide the future economic development of the Georges River area.

The previous strategy expired in 2022; a refresh would provide an opportunity to align with the changing needs of our community and with renewed State and Federal policies and strategies.