Program 6 – Economic Development

EconomicDevelopment

Program Goal

TodrivetheeconomicdevelopmentofBrisbanebycapturing ourcity'suniquewindow ofopportunity.

ProgramDescription

The goal of the Economic Development Program is to implement the Brisbane Economic DevelopmentPlan 2012-31 to ensure Brisbane is prepared for future growth in our economy and infrastructure.

The Brisbane Economic Development Plan 2012-31 implements the priorities expressed by Brisbane businesses in the Lord Mayor's Economic Development Steering Committee report 'Brisbane's Unique Window of Opportunity'.

The Brisbane Economic Development Plan addresses five key priorities:

  • Building Brisbane's global reputation as Australia's New World City
  • ProductiveBrisbane
  • Talentattractionandglobalconnections
  • Lifestylecity
  • Leadership, engagement and implementation.

As part of the delivery of ‘Brisbane’s Unique Window of Opportunity’ report, Council has:

  • appointed only the second Chief Digital Officer in the world
  • delivered the continued rollout of the Digital Strategy
  • delivered the Asia Pacific Screen Awards
  • grown the Brissie Greeters Volunteer greeting program
  • attracted hotel development to meet market demand.

To ensure Brisbane meets its full potential for economic growth and employment generation, this program will continue this journey and will have a strong focus on investment attraction and jobs growth through showcasing Brisbane's economic strengths and unique lifestyle benefits.

As one of the fastest growing cities in the world, Brisbane will continue to leverage growth from the global resource sector. A continued focus by Council on planning for and supporting Brisbane's growth, generating investment and bringing skilled workers, international students and visitors are key roles to ensure that Brisbane can continue to respond to the opportunities generated from the resource sector and build long term economic prosperity.

Brisbane's growth also depends on delivery of the infrastructure required to meet the demand. To ensure a co-ordinated and timely approach to infrastructure delivery, the program includes a co-ordinating planning role for the Brisbane Long Term Infrastructure Plan 2012-31.

This program will support Brisbane's long term economic growth by assisting and actively participating in the implementation of a range of strategic economic capacity building projects, informed by ongoing research and analysis. It will also strengthen alignment across Council to ensure that all Council strategies and program plans support Brisbane's potential for achieving long term economic prosperity.

Brisbane Marketing is the city's economic development board and the custodian of the 'Australia's New World City' brand campaign. Brisbane Marketing successfully uses funds from Council and other partners to leverage additional industry partnerships when promoting Brisbane to the rest of Australia and the world as a place for business to invest and skilled workers to live and raise a family.

Program Outcomes andFinancialSummary

Program Outcomes / Anticipated / Proposed / Anticipated / Proposed / Anticipated / Proposed
2013-14 / 2014-15 / 2013-14 / 2014-15 / 2013-14 / 2014-15
$000 / $000 / $000 / $000 / $000 / $000
Expense / Revenue / Capital
6.1 - Growing Brisbane's Economy / 1,390 / 1,808 / 50 / 300 / - / -
6.2 - Removing Barriers to Growth / 382 / 423 / - / - / - / -
6.3 - A City of Many Skills / 404 / 433 / - / - / - / -
6.4 - Delivering World Class Economic Precincts / 14,080 / 13,667 / 14,495 / 14,173 / 5,444 / -
6.5 - Capturing Brisbane's Unique Window of Opportunity / 17,384 / 17,950 / - / 500 / 200 / -
6.6 - Export Market Development / 273 / 147 / - / - / - / -
33,913 / 34,429 / 14,545 / 14,973 / 5,644 / -
2015-16
$000 / 2016-17
$000 / 2017-18
$000
RecurrentOperationsContracts / 821 / 828 / 747

Outcome 6.1 GrowingBrisbane's Economy

Outcome description

Facilitating strategies and activities to attract new business investment and generate employment growth for Brisbane.

Where we are now

Brisbane continues to enhance its status as Australia's New World City at the heart of one of the fastest growing regions in Australia. Brisbane is Australia's fastest growing metropolitan city and is projected to continue rapid employment growth over the next two decades.

Brisbane is also the main engine of growth for South East Queensland and the most significant economy inQueensland.

Employment, population and economic growth in Brisbane and across South East Queensland are expected to be strong over the next 20 years.

Supporting these forecasts requires a strong focus on industries where Brisbane demonstrates a locational advantage including appropriately skilled workers, suitable and affordable business accommodation, market access and infrastructure. Effort is directed to ensuring that the city provides the best possible environment to support new and existing business growth and investment.

Where we want to be

To deliver the strong growth forecast for Brisbane, we need to be globally recognised as a world class location for business. Brisbane will be home to more regional and global head offices of multinational companies and will have secured the strong employment growth projected.

Key attributes of the city, which will support growth among existing businesses and attract new investment into the city, include an efficient regulatory system, seamless customer service to investors, world class infrastructure and the provision of services which are responsive to business requirements.

Strong profiling of the city will ensure that Brisbane is recognised as a profitable business location, both nationally and internationally. The development of strong links with other economies and the identification of investment opportunities will ensure that Brisbane continues to generate the employment and economic outcomes that will sustain a strong and prosperous economy.

Strategy 6.1.1 Strategic Capacity Building

Assess and address gaps and enhance Brisbane's capacity to sustain growth in jobs, exports and investment.

Service6.1.1.1SupportingKeyIndustries

The objective of this service is to undertake targeted activities including identification of new investment opportunities in Brisbane and developing information materials such as newsletters and factsheets that will be distributed widely to existing and prospective investors.

This will be driven from ongoing dialogue with local business to evaluate the performance of the Brisbane economy and identify emerging opportunities.

This service will:

  • conduct quarterly Lord Mayor's Business Round Table meetings
  • continue Lord Mayor’s Business Forums and Business Leaders Workshops
  • co-ordinate, manage and stage events and activities that highlight Brisbane's multicultural community and international relationships.

In addition, the service will continue to pursue opportunities to support Brisbane businesses as identified in the Unique Window of Opportunity Report.

Operating / Anticipated
2013-14
$000 / Proposed
2014-15
$000
Expense / 422 / 346
Revenue / 50 / -
Projects / 2014-15
$000 / 2015-16
$000 / 2016-17
$000 / 2017-18
$000
Unique Window of Opportunity - Enhancing Brisbane's Economic Growth / Capital / - / - / - / -
Expense / 917 / 927 / 922 / 921
Revenue / - / - / - / -

Service6.1.1.2RecognitionofBrisbane`sSmallBusinesses

The purpose of this service is to undertake projects in partnership with key stakeholders to recogniseBrisbane's small businesses.

Operating / Anticipated
2013-14
$000 / Proposed
2014-15
$000
Expense / 76 / 54
Revenue / - / -
Projects / 2014-15
$000 / 2015-16
$000 / 2016-17
$000 / 2017-18
$000
Commercial Opportunities Team / Capital / - / - / - / -
Expense / 490 / 500 / 500 / 500
Revenue / 300 / 500 / 500 / 500

Outcome 6.2 Removing Barriers to Growth

Outcome description

Ensure that appropriate infrastructure projects are identified and sequenced to support projected employment growth, population growth, exports and investment.

Where we are now

Under the South East Queensland Regional Plan 2031, Brisbane is required to deliver an additional 156,000 dwellings between 2011 and 2031 to accommodate our growing population.

In addition, National Institute of Economic and Industry Research employment forecasts suggest that by 2031, the net figure for the number of people travelling into Brisbane each day to access their employment will increase to more than 300,000. This means substantially increased pressures on intra-regional transport networks across South East Queensland to bring workers into Brisbane.

Rapid technological change in the global economy requires the delivery of new infrastructure solutions to meet changing demand. At the same time, Brisbane's infrastructure must be resilient and serviceable in the face of severe weather and other unexpected events.

Where we want to be

Brisbane's infrastructure will continue to improve its current levels of service assisting the city to attract investment and sustain the export growth required to achieve the forecast employment growth and associated wealth potential.

Strong alignment with both Queensland and Federal governments ensures that effective transport infrastructure is fully funded and implemented in a timely fashion. Journey to work and journey to shop and school times remain within acceptable limits to maintain a well-functioning city which is attractive to highly skilled workers.

Strategy 6.2.1 Whole-of-government Infrastructure Co-ordination

Ensure the timely delivery of infrastructure necessary to support the efficiency and competitiveness of the city's economic activities by contributing to infrastructure, and supporting local, Queensland and Federal government policy alignment across the South East Queensland region.

Service6.2.1.1ImprovingInfrastructuretoReduceCongestionandPromoteGrowth

The objective of this service is to assist the planning and co-ordination of infrastructure projects being delivered to support Brisbane's long term economic growth. This service will:

  • provide secretariat and support services to the Lord Mayor's Infrastructure Council
  • promote co-ordination and alignment with the Queensland Government and other Council programs in applying strategic economic principles and forecasts to evaluate future infrastructure needs articulated in the Brisbane Long Term Infrastructure Plan 2012-31, the Brisbane City Plan 2014 and Queensland Government infrastructure plans.

Operating / Anticipated
2013-14
$000 / Proposed
2014-15
$000
Expense / 382 / 423
Revenue / - / -

Outcome 6.3 A City of Many Skills

Outcome description

Ensuring Brisbane enterprises have ready access to a workforce of sufficient size that has the necessary capabilities to support business demand.

Where we are now

Movement of skilled workers to Brisbane is occurring through international and national migration to South East Queensland. As other cities and regions compete for a pool of skilled workers, it is important that Brisbane strengthens its national and international profile as an attractive city and dynamic economy offering a diverse range of employment opportunities.

Where we want to be

Brisbane will have a highly skilled labour force that is a major attractor of new business investment to the city. This will include recognised excellence in professional, technical and managerial occupations. These highly skilled workers will have chosen to live in Brisbane because of its exciting employment opportunities, its high amenity and attractive lifestyle.

Brisbane has a highly effective transport network that enables workers to have choice and flexibility in where they work and live, thereby attracting appropriate levels and mixes of skilled workers. The increasing presence of globally successful companies in Brisbane raises the city's profile as a place that offers dynamic high quality employment opportunities which in turn continues to attract skilled workers to the city and the region.

International students are attracted to Brisbane as they are appropriately supported with infrastructure, transport accessibility and a high-quality lifestyle.

Strategy 6.3.1 A Desirable Place to Work and Study

Identify opportunities for Brisbane to increase its attractiveness as a place which provides excellent employment choices, educational opportunities and the appropriate infrastructure to ensure ease of access to jobs and study locations.

Service6.3.1.1EnhancingBrisbane's SkilledWorkforce

The objective of this service is to investigate and promote opportunities to enhance Brisbane as a desirable place to work and study.

To assist Brisbane employers to access a skilled workforce, activities in this service include:

  • investigations of key issues affecting skilled workers and students in Brisbane
  • drawing on evidence-based research, the development of policies, advices and briefings on issues affecting the capacity of the city to attract and retain skilled workers
  • Council's annual Civic Reception for International Students.

Operating / Anticipated
2013-14
$000 / Proposed
2014-15
$000
Expense / 404 / 433
Revenue / - / -

Outcome 6.4 Delivering World Class Economic Precincts

Outcome description

Support Brisbane's key high economic growth locations by facilitating the strategic planning and activation of these key precincts to maximise their potential for economic success.

Where we are now

The City Centre, comprising the Central Business District (CBD) and fringe (including Fortitude Valley, Spring Hill, Milton, South Brisbane and Woolloongabba) is an economic asset.

It covers less than 1% of the surface area of Brisbane Local Government Area (LGA), contains 3% of Brisbane's population and yet accounts for 30% of Brisbane's economic output, 32% of employment and 15% of all businesses.

A significant focus has been placed on renewing and activating Brisbane's key retail and entertainment precincts.

The Queen Street Mall is Queensland's premier retail destination and activation of the space has increased to over 1000 events across the financial year attracting 26 million visitors a year. The Queen Street revitalisation project will create more pedestrian space and improve amenity prior to the G20 Leaders Summit.

The previously redeveloped Chinatown Mall has been reinvigorated as a more pedestrian and retail friendly space while the enhanced Brunswick Street Mall will remain a mecca for live music and artistic expression, but also grow its daytime economic offering.

Australia TradeCoast is one of Australia's fastest growing port precincts. Australia TradeCoast's capacity to expand, in close proximity to both air and sea port facilities and serving one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, makes it an attractive location for establishing and growing significant export industries.

Where we want to be

Brisbane's future success relies on our city being a vibrant, activated and cultural New World City. Business and economic growth will be optimised if our precincts continue to be vibrant and attract significant visitor numbers and promotion. Precincts such as Fortitude Valley and the Queen Street Mall will continue to grow as vibrant centres of activity, increasing cultural opportunities and attracting both visitors and residents.

Precincts such as the CBD will become global centres of commerce with increasing international and multinational company representation attracted by good transport and communication networks, skilled workers and high amenity local services.

Strategy 6.4.1 World Class City Centre

Deliver a city centre that is clean, safe, well maintained and fit for purpose for a 24 hour economy.

Service6.4.1.1CityCentrePlaceManagement

The objective is to facilitate Council’s delivery of a world class city centre for business, visitors and community through integrated place management of the 24 hour economy.

This service provides for a City Centre Place Manager to be a single point of responsibility for the co-ordination, integration and facilitation of the delivery of Council services, initiatives and major projects in Brisbane City Centre (including the CBD and Fortitude Valley).

Operating / Anticipated
2013-14
$000 / Proposed
2014-15
$000
Expense / 169 / 161
Revenue / - / -
Projects / 2014-15
$000 / 2015-16
$000 / 2016-17
$000 / 2017-18
$000
Living Villages Development Levy / Capital / - / - / - / -
Expense / 55 / 57 / 56 / 56
Revenue / 50 / 50 / 50 / 50

Strategy 6.4.2 Queen Street and Valley Malls

Provide support for the Queen Street and Valley Malls, including marketing, promotion, operationalExpense and capital improvements.

Service6.4.2.1QueenStreetMallOperations

The objective of this service is to operate and manage the Queen Street Mall with the goal of increasing the economic vitality and amenity of the Mall.

Operating / Anticipated
2013-14
$000 / Proposed
2014-15
$000
Expense / 6,183 / 5,805
Revenue / 11,207 / 11,188
Projects / 2014-15
$000 / 2015-16
$000 / 2016-17
$000 / 2017-18
$000
Queen Street Mall Vision / Capital / - / - / - / -
Expense / 1,244 / 311 / - / -
Revenue / 870 / - / - / -

Service6.4.2.2QueenStreetMallActivationandMarketing

This service comprises Queen Street Mall promotions delivered by Brisbane Marketing. It includes brand and tactical advertising to position and promote the Brisbane CBD and Queen Street Mall, Australia's most successful pedestrian mall, as the main shopping and entertainment destinations in Brisbane. Colourful, vibrant entertainment daily such as emerging music of all genres will continue to support our brand as an Australia's New World City and provide a shopping and entertainment experience not found anywhere else.

Events will be rolled out in 2014-15 to activate the precinct and attract residents and visitors. Previous successful campaigns including Christmas celebrations and the Farmers’ Markets in Reddacliff Place will be continued.

Activities include the following:

  • Queen Street Mall branding
  • CBD marketing
  • Activation of the Mall
  • Christmas celebrations.

Operating / Anticipated
2013-14
$000 / Proposed
2014-15
$000
Expense / 5,193 / 4,834
Revenue / - / -

Service6.4.2.3ValleyMallsOperations

The object of this service is to promote, operate and manage the Valley Malls with the goal of increasing the economic vitality and amenity of this key economic precinct. Council will continue to provide a clean, safe and accessible mall to support over $1 billion in new development taking place in the local area.

Operating / Anticipated
2013-14
$000 / Proposed
2014-15
$000
Expense / 1,083 / 961
Revenue / 1,822 / 2,065

Service6.4.2.4ValleyMalls ActivationandMarketing

The objective of this service is to support marketing of the Valley Malls, including the 12-month program of multicultural festivals. The centrepiece of the marketing program is the Valley Fiesta which will continue to provide a platform for emerging live music artists and generate business for Valley traders.

In recognition of the strong connection the Chinese people have with the Valley, Chinese New Year and Autumn Moon celebrations will continue to be funded from this service. These festivals will utilise the redeveloped Chinatown Mall which provides significantly more area for activation than was previously available.

Malls Management will also oversee a regular entertainment program of live performances for the recently refurbished Brunswick Street and Chinatown Malls. To support the redevelopment of the Brunswick Street Mall, Council will focus on activation, especially of the daytime economic offering.

Operating / Anticipated
2013-14
$000 / Proposed
2014-15
$000
Expense / 495 / 607
Revenue / 236 / -

Outcome 6.5 Capturing Brisbane's Unique Window of Opportunity

Outcome description

Continue to capture Brisbane's unique window of opportunity for economic growth by promoting Brisbane locally, nationally and internationally as a place for business, investment and tourism.

Where we are now

Brisbane Marketing is implementing a marketing strategy to consolidate recognition of Brisbane as Australia's New World City and empower Brisbane businesses and residents to live and breathe this motto in everything they do. This serves to enhance the positioning of Brisbane as both a tourism and business destination.

Brisbane businesses and residents also have access to free content about our city and its brand at The site contains approximately 3000 images and videos to download for free to ensure that everyone in Brisbane has ownership of our city's image.

In the meeting and conventions sector, Brisbane continues to face strong competition from other national and international venues but is exceeding expectations and is well positioned to continue to take advantage of opportunities with City Hall, the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC) and Royal International Convention Centre at the RNA Showgrounds all recognised as Brisbane’s leading convention venues.