We're developing a new Economic Development Strategy and are keen for your input. Whether you're involved in local industry, a business owner or a resident, your input is crucial to help shape this important strategy.

You can provide your input by:

• Completing our survey
• By liking or commenting on some of the ideas and concepts listed on our ideas board
• Sharing your own ideas or concepts by adding them to the ideas board for us to see, as well as for other participants to like or comment
• Providing a written submission on behalf of your business or industry group.

Background

Council plays a key role in the promotion of local and regional economic development growth and business opportunity. Through economic development initiatives, we create employment, provide essential services and develop communities to improve liveability and prosperity.

Indigo Shire's point of influence is closest to the Community, our role defined by the realisation and enhancement of our town places and areas of environmental and cultural significance. Town character is a key economic asset and councils often strive to find a balance between economic initiatives and the preservation of local heritage.

Stakeholder engagement

In developing our plan and in addition to this engagement, we will be speaking to a range of stakeholders and stakeholder groups directly. In no particular order, these groups will include:

• Councillors, Council's executive management team and Council staff
• IndiGrow committee (Council's economic advisory committee - made up of local business and industry representatives)
• Business and industry stakeholders
• Regional development agencies
• Regional and State tourism boards
• Chambers of Commerce across the Shire

In developing an effective and meaningful Economic Development Strategy, we are undertaking a business and community collaboration in the development of ideas, key themes and concepts. We will work through the stages of "discovery", "development" and "testing" in forming up a final strategy for community feedback.

Registration

Prior to completing our survey or sharing your ideas on our ideas board, you'll be asked to register with Engaged Indigo.

Registration is quick and easy and will make it easier for you to participate in projects that interest you.

We ask for your name and email address and a few other details such as gender, age and location so that we can better understand who we're hearing from and make sure we get a broad cross section of our community. It also ensures discussions and results are not manipulated by someone leaving multiple comments to support their own position.

For transparency, your feedback may be published as part of reporting, however, we respect your privacy and all identifying information will be removed and your feedback kept anonymous.

The following survey and interview questions are designed to structure feedback in a way it can be analysed and discussed effectively. Your feedback will help shape our economic development strategy and assist in shaping our activities driving economic stability and stimulus to our economy.

The survey question should be answered with your perspective. Your specific industry and personal experience as the lens. Relevant input using factual and relevant examples and references will be useful to create a clear guide to develop key strategies and themes for our economic plan. We appreciate your time, effort and consideration in completing our survey and dropping out your ideas.

Please review our background document for context. Economic Development Strategy Background Document