The Regional Economic Development Stratergy (REDS) was up for discussion at last week’s Council meeting.
Last year the NSW state government announced its Growing Local Economies Fund aiming to provide major infrastructure to activate regional economies and support local jobs and businesses.
The Western Plains Functional Economic Regions – consisting of the Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina, Cobar, Coonamble, Walgett and Warren – is working with the state government to develop a region wide economic development strategy.
The REDS aims to identify regional competencies and competitiveness and any inhibitors to economic growth. As a result infrastructure plans will be developed to apply for the available funding.
The key objectives of the program include:
- Building on and enhancing existing strengths in the region.
- Identifying new opportunities to enhance the development, performance and competitiveness within the region.
- Assist the region towards sustainable economic development.
- Help prepare LGAs access the investment the state government is making in regional NSW.
A number of local businesses within the Bogan Shire have already been surveyed by consultants with regard to the strategy.
Consultants will be visiting Nyngan again in early March, hosting a workshop to supply information on their findings and provide the opportunity for local businesses to contribute to the development of the strategy.
REDS will be a standardised implementation across the entire region.
Bogan Shire General Manager Derek Francis said the event is an opportunity, and encourages “businesses to come along to the meeting to have an input into the strategy”.
Consultants will be visiting Nyngan on Monday, March 12 at the RSL Bowlers Bar from 11am. Refreshments will be provided.
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Nyngan Observer
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