Draft Greater Cessnock Jobs Strategy 2036 and Economic Growth Agenda

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Economic development is the process of improving the economic wellbeing of the community by strengthening local businesses, attracting investment, creating jobs and encouraging sustainable business practices.

Productivity: Empowering and enabling our labour force and businesses to become highly productive. This will be achieved through technological advancement, quality plant and equipment, and capacity building through education and training to match skills with jobs.

Investment: Providing an environment that encourages government funding and private sector investment in facilities, infrastructure and services necessary to support business growth and increased output.

Innovation:  Enabling businesses to combine knowledge, technology, land, capital and labour to make a profit. Innovation requires vision, planning, investment, decision making, efficiency and calculated risk to achieve a successful outcome.

People: People and their enthusiasm, passion, skills and expertise are the driving force behind business success. As a region we need to empower, encourage and develop our people so they can deliver successful outcomes.

Sitting under these themes are sixteen economic development priorities and accompanying actions ready for implementation.

(PNG, 326KB)

Council’s overarching role in job creation is to provide the appropriate environment to enable sustainable economic development including:

• LEADER in economic development
• INVESTOR in local infrastructure
• COLLABORATOR with local businesses, stakeholders, networks and community groups
• PROVIDER of services to the local community
• ADVOCATE on behalf of the community to achieve improvements and benefits within the community
• COMMUNICATOR, by raising awareness around issues and opportunities
• REGULATOR, by implementing legislative provisions such as waste management, development controls, environmental management, energy and water reduction measures
• EMPLOYER of significance in the region

We consulted with a range of businesses, industries, residents and visitors during the development the draft Strategy. We also considered the results of the Business Capability Study, 2019, Skills Audit 2018 and the following resources:

• Jenny Rand and Associates Consulting
• REMPLAN Economic Data Modeling Tool
• Tourism Diversification Action Plan (BBRF Funding)
• Agribusiness Cluster Action Plan (BBRF Funding)
• CBD Activation Plan (BBRF Funding)
• Cessnock Economic Development Strategy 2013 – 2017

 The draft Strategy aligns with the following strategic plans:

• Cessnock 2027: Community Strategic Plan
• Local Strategic Planning Statement
• Hunter Regional Plan 2036
• Great Newcastle Metropolitan Plan 2036
• Hunter Regional Economic Development Strategy 2018-2022