Council's commitment to supporting our local business community has taken another major step forward with the release of Kingston's Economic Development Strategy (EDS).
The strategy sets out clear directions for how we will work alongside local business, industry groups, strategic regional partners, and the other levels of government to grow our economy for the benefit of the local community in the years to come.
The strategy is designed to be a long-term guiding document with year-on-year action plans and a monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress.
Prior to the development of the strategy, the Kingston Future Directions Paper took a deep dive into the current state of our economy, trends influencing transformation and change, and economic needs.
Feedback on the paper collected through industry and stakeholder interviews and more than 300 community survey responses has directly shaped the strategy and year one action plan.
The EDS outlines a comprehensive plan to enhance Kingston's economy through four main themes:
- Strong Local Economy: The strategy aims to diversify and leverage new opportunities to ensure continuous economic growth. This includes supporting emerging industries in health, education, and business services.
- Business Location of Choice: Kingston is positioned as a highly desirable place for businesses due to its skilled workforce and collaborative environment. The strategy emphasises protecting employment land, nurturing local entrepreneurs, and fostering business relationships.
- Destination for Experiences: Kingston's diverse calendar of events, local food, shops, and natural assets attract both residents and visitors. The strategy aims to grow the local night-time economy and develop a compelling visitor offer.
- Inviting and Lively Shopping Centres: The strategy focuses on placemaking to enhance liveability, wellbeing, and accessibility. This includes creating distinguished offers for Kingston's shopping centres, prioritising safety and health, and leveraging major investments for local benefit.
Mayor Jenna Davey-Burns said Kingston is already an incredible place to live and do business and we are extremely keen to build on our strengths.
"Our city is rich in human, environmental, and economic assets that all contribute to the thriving hub of activity we are today," Cr Davey-Burns said.
"We have a strong and diverse business community, a highly skilled and educated workforce, offer convenient access to jobs, services world class shopping, and dining and entertainment options, and so much more.
"Kingston is unique too, with large manufacturing areas and innovative, world leading businesses, as well as a thriving street shop scene and the Moorabbin Airport.
"We are already the 10th largest economy in Victoria, producing $12.4 billion annually, but through our EDS we see this only growing as we transition our economy towards more service and skills-based industries.
"Among our aims is to enable more of our Kingston residents to be able to work in our city too."
You can read the Economic Development Strategy at kingston.vic.gov.au/council/council-documents/plans-policies-and-reports/economic-development-strategy.
