EDA Journal Vol 11. No.2 Summer 2018 | Page 17

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT QUARTERLY Dubbo Regional Council has connected with business stakeholders and developed a CBD Business Network and provided support to four significant business development or place activation programs annually. An example of this is the improvement of the cultural and physical ambience of the CBDs through public and commercial art, encouraging live music and performance art through streamlining busking approvals. Council has completed a car parking audit throughout the CBD and encouraged the use of off-street parking through creative promotion and signage as well as encouraging and supporting stakeholders in identification and development of further placemaking projects for delivery. The progam also involves facilitating solutions to address community safety concerns and antisocial behaviour. Dubbo Regional Council established and developed a framework and processes to enable the Ignite Program to be self-sufficient and actively managed by stakeholders outside of Council. The success of the Program has seen the region’s two CBDs become the heart and soul of the Dubbo and Wellington communities, offering exciting events and a space for locals to meet. FINALIST WARRNAMBOOL CITY COUNCIL Warrnambool China Bureau – A model for regional Australian SME business engagement with China Opportunity: the China market Challenge: gaining an insight and a foothold in this complex, sought-after market Solution: The Warrnambool China Bureau Warnanbool City Council identified that many Australian businesses believe they have something to offer the Chinese region but don’t know how to access this potentially vast market. China’s massive market presents endless business opportunities, however, it is a market that is complex, opaque and creates significant barriers to success. Unquestionably, succeeding in and with China is a long-term journey which requires patience, professional market knowledge and prudent China market entry strategies. The Warrnambool China Bureau was created to function as a Chinese market business incubator, providing free customised support to small and medium-sized local businesses in the Great South Coast of Victoria. In cooperation with Asialink Business, the Warrnambool China Bureau (The Bureau) assisted local businesses by offering end-to-end China market engagement support including: • one-on-one business mentoring, advice and support; • Chinese company background checking service; • translation services; • market briefings; and, • China-based market support and interpreting. The Warrnambool China Bureau resulted in a model that is highly transferrable to other regions throughout Australia. It created an environment where local government took the lead to ensure services and support were easily accessible, low cost and extremely practical. It eliminated the fear of Chinese market engagement and allowed businesses to navigate Chinese market complexity and build Chinese market capability across the region. FINALIST CESSNOCK CITY COUNCIL Advance Cessnock City Taking a strategic leadership role, Councils can facilitate outcomes that stimulate enterprise, investment, job creation, economic resilience and enable environments which are conducive to undertaking business. Cessnock City Council’s Economic Development Unit (EDU) has driven change through developing the Advance Cessnock City platform. Advance Cessnock City (ACC) is the partnership formed of the Council and local Chambers of Commerce, and a vehicle to enable a strategic and results- oriented economic development approach based on successful business engagement. ACC has provided the foundation blocks for solid and responsive business engagement, and more critically an advanced understanding of the economic base for better decision making. It has been an instrumental tool which enables rapid action and communication for government and business projects. The EDU have been able to successfully use the ACC to attract strategic investment in the form VOL.11 NO.2 2018 | 17