LEONGATHA Business Association president Marty Reidy is taking South Gippsland Shire Council up on its invitation to respond to its Draft Council Plan, Budget and Financial Plan, having prepared an extensive submission on behalf of LBA, keen to see the shire maximise its business and tourism opportunities.
While acknowledging the extensive engagement already undertaken by council and its intent to shape a vibrant and inclusive community, LBA wants to see a greater focus on economic development, jobs, industry, infrastructure delivery and planning reform, with council being an enabler of growth.
LBA argues the Community Vision statement that informs the Council Plan needs to provide more specific economic aspirations, showing how the desired future for the Shire can be funded.
Attracting suitable industries and businesses to Leongatha, and South Gippsland more broadly, including another major national food processor, is identified as important by the LBA, and the submission puts forward ideas to drive economic growth in the South Gippsland Shire.
Chatting to the Sentinel-Times, Marty spoke of the need to address the requirement for worker accommodation, and to increase housing, also pondering what more can be done in terms of strategy around local tourism and how to involve the private sector.
Marty said the timeframe of planning approvals locally is an area he hears about frequently, with people saying it takes forever.
“A planning approval should take no more than 90 days from submission but they’re often taking six months, maybe 12 months depending on the type of submission, so that slows down absolutely everything (including) economic growth,” Marty said, with the submission focusing on the goal of determining planning permit application outcomes within the statutory 60 days.
He’d like to see more in the Draft Council Plan about addressing the issue and identifying solutions.
While observing infrastructure improvements are likely to drive growth, Marty said the Draft Financial Plan highlights a substantial reduction in infrastructure spending in coming years, while staff expenditure is set to significantly increase, questioning whether council should be looking at other areas to reduce expenditure.
LBA identifies the lack of tourist accommodation in South Gippsland as a hurdle that needs to be overcome, noting the possibility of council approaching private sector operators to establish the viability of them coming to the area, and potentially fast-tracking the planning process to facilitate accommodation projects.
It’s all about being proactive and starting the conversation, Marty argues, speaking of approaching suitable business operators and industry representatives, presenting an attractive case and facilitating a move to the area.
He suggested the possibility of reduced fees, or rate allowances for those establishing businesses to boost South Gippsland Shire’s appeal, along with once again potentially fast-tracking planning approvals.
Marty spoke of enabling people who want to do business to do so, stressing that the resultant economic growth would have a positive impact on council.
“It’s got to give them more scope to do those other things that are important for the community,” he said, explaining that extra revenue generated through growth can be directed to programs that are necessary, potentially reducing reliance on rates.
LBA argues in its submission that council must put economic growth at the centre of everything it does.
“Support private enterprise, fast track approvals, unlock industrial land, solve accommodation shortages and above all, build a region that backs business because when business grows, everything else follows,” president Marty said.
“The Leongatha Business Association stands ready to support a council that’s ready to act,” he declared, urging council to choose ambition and action or get left behind.