ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT QUARTERLY
This edition of the Journal also includes an article by
two of our EDA Study Tour Scholarship recipients.
Paul Johnson from Wellington Shire Council travelled
to NZ and the US on an EDA Study Tour Scholarship
to examine how celebrated tech hubs in NZ and the
US foster collaboration to achieve digital innovation.
Bruce Marshall from Melton City Council visited
Japan as part of his EDA Study Tour Scholarship and
his article provides insight into Japan’s demographic
paradigm and the impact it is having on the traditional
economic and social models.
FROM THE CEO
It is my pleasure to introduce this edition of Economic
Development Australia’s (EDA) Journal. We are
always grateful to the practitioners and organisations
who contribute to the Journal, which continues to
be a popular on-line resource for professionals
working in economic development across Australia.
Information regarding submitting an article for the
future editions can be found here.
A consistent theme of this edition is collaboration
as a driver for innovation. Many of our authors
cite clusters as an effective method of achieving
connectivity and facilitating competitiveness. The
Journal illustrates that economic development
professionals should be supporting innovation
and enterprise by building physical and social
connections within their communities.
Keenan Jackson from .id the population experts
presents the rise of knowledge-based industries as
re-establishing the exploration and encouragement
of clusters. Keenan presents a compelling argument
that clusters are far more than simple agglomerations
and explores the importance of collaboration
between the key players as the key to driving
innovation.
Similarly, Paul Tero builds on the concept of creating
a local knowledge economy cluster and succinctly
summarises the conditions that are required to see
this collaboration flourish.
Ray Tiernan shares his timely reminder to
economic development practitioners to build strong
engagement with the local professional sector when
undertaking economic development or retail strategy,
place making,
Dr Elizabeth Perkins’ article outlines the potential
development of a bio hub for the Limestone
Coast region in South Australia. Businesses and
governments gathered in Mt Gambier late last
year to examine the opportunities around biomass,
bioenergy, the bio economy and bio hubs.
This edition also provides a fascinating glimpse
into a unique place making project concerning the
activation of sites within the UNESCO World Heritage
area of the Citadel of Hue thanks to Teresa Lever’s
article on page 26.
Finally, Sasha Lennon and Roger Gibbons share
some practical tips to ensure economic development
professionals understand how to help regional areas
capture a fair share of Australia’s growing visitor
economy and, more importantly, grab a bigger slice
of the pie!
Many thanks once again to all our contributors.
We hope you enjoy this edition.
Kind regards,
Jacqueline Brinkman
Chief Executive Officer,
Economic Development Australia
Ashton de Silva presents a Hierarchical Cluster
Analysis to illustrate the economic impact of creative
activity. Ashton’s research provides a fascinating
insight into the density and distribution of creative
capital in Australia.
VOL.12 NO.1 2019 | 5