New strategy to create Smart Biosphere

Noosa Council’s new Economic Development Strategy 2021-2030 aims to deliver a dynamic, resilient economy for future generations.

Input from business groups, local operators and industry leaders has been key to developing the strategy, which strives to transition the shire to a Smart Biosphere based on three economic pillars Future Focused, People and Place and Evidence-Based.

The 10-year plan connects the strong environmental values of our community to future-focused, technology and data-driven actions to find creative and resourceful solutions to economic and environmental challenges.

Mayor Clare Stewart said the strategy builds on Council’s ongoing commitment to diversify and grow employment and economic opportunities.

“There are many elements to the strategy, with a real focus on achieving growth in the smart industry sectors,” she said.

“We live in a very different world from when the last strategy was adopted in 2016, so it’s important to reflect that in the new blueprint,” Cr Stewart said.

These include rapidly changing technology industry, a highly mobile workforce, unpredictable nature of COVID-19 and the emerging challenges of talent, workforce and accommodation availability.

“A Smart Biosphere economy allows Noosa to create a bright future across business, industry, education, the arts, retail and hospitality,” she said.

Noosa Shire is home to 56,600 people boasting over 7,200 businesses.

Noosa’s Gross Regional Product is about $3 billion.

Health Care and Social Services are Noosa’s largest industries by employment, with the largest growth between 2019-2021 in the Professional, Scientific, and Technical sectors.

Despite the challenges of COVID-19, Noosa’s unemployment rate is at a historical low of 4.4%.

For years Noosa has attracted talented and skilled workers, entrepreneurs, remote workers and a myriad of leading edge experts providing technical expertise.

The Smart Biosphere strategy aims to provide a pathway for Noosa to expand its economic activity.

“With such uncertainty, this strategy seeks to inspire our shire to be more innovative, resilient, be sustainable and embrace new technology,” Cr Stewart said.

“As a council, we will support appropriate business growth, scope out sustainable development opportunities and establish an environment conducive to business success in Noosa,”

“We need to be agile, flexible and respond in a targeted, innovative way,” she said.

“Council will seek to implement actions by strongly supporting local business, collaborating with industry groups and advocating for change,” Cr Stewart said.