Economic Development Strategy to Increase Jobs Backed by Dunedin Organisations

Dunedin (13 September 2012) - A 10-year-plan to grow 10,000 jobs and create $10,000 in extra income for residents in the next 10 years is receiving strong backing from key Dunedin organisations.

The Dunedin Economic Development Strategy has been adopted by the Otago Polytechnic, University of Otago, Otago Chamber of Commerce, Otago Southland Employers Association and a local Runanga. It will be considered by the Dunedin City Council (DCC) at its meeting on 17 September.

Chris Staynes, Chair of the Council’s Strategy Steering Group, is pleased with the feedback and support the strategy has had. “The draft we released for feedback received over 90 submissions. That is a fantastic response, especially when I’m aware of larger centres that have produced similar strategies and received only half that number of submissions”.

Over 77% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed with the overall draft strategy and 81%-90% of respondents agreed with each of the proposed strategic themes. Responses were received from a wide variety of people including individuals, MPs, social agencies, business people, government departments and industry organisations.

The strategy has been further refined in response to their submissions.

Peter McIntyre, President of the Otago Chamber of Commerce, says while the implementation stage to come is where the real work begins, the collaboration to date has been exceptional. “Having a number of key stakeholders around the table has meant there is buy-in to making this strategy work.”

The group will work on seven projects initially, each led by a different organisation. Projects include looking at the best way to support exporters, reviewing the marketing of Dunedin, creating an ‘ambassadors’ programme to re-engage alumni and ex-pats, and a ‘red carpet, not red tape’ project within the DCC.

Phil Broughton, Chair of the Otago Southland Employers Association, believes that while the goals are ambitious, the projects are achievable and will reap benefits. “There are many aspects of the economy we can’t control, but the strategy focuses on areas where we can combine forces to do it better locally.”

ENDS

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