Thank you for your interest in the Draft Economic Development Strategy. This feedback form is intended for people who want to respond informally and anonymously. If you want to provide a formal submission about the Draft Economic Development Strategy, please contact Janice Blair, Strategic Planning Officer, 08 8539 1441 or J.Blair@murraybridge.sa.gov.au. You can also contact our consultant for this project, Dr Kristine Peters of KPPM Strategy on 0409 603 663 or kristine@kppm.com.au.

We've made this survey as easy as possible, you can simply tick boxes, or provide comments if you have more to say. Feedback will be anonymous - although if you do want to leave your contact details, there is space at the end to do that. 

Your  feedback will be considered along with the other responses and we will use it to update the Draft Economic Development Strategy prior to presenting to Council for adoption.

We will be holding a Public Forum to discuss this Draft Strategy at the Rural City of Murray Bridge (Local Government Centre) on Tuesday 27th October at 7pm - everyone is welcome to attend.

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* 1. Firstly, how did you get a copy of the Draft Economic Development Strategy?

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* 2. Our vision for the Rural City of Murray Bridge is:

"For Murray Bridge to be the focus of South Australia's peri-urban economic growth over the next 20 years, to deliver opportunity, resilience and a wonderful lifestyle that attracts and retains skilled and innovative people and businesses."

Do you think that this vision is:

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* 3. The Draft Economic Development Strategy is based on three themes:

1. A robust and diverse regional economy
2. A desirable place to live, work, invest and visit
3. A progressive, productive community

What do you think of these?

  I don't think it's appropriate I think it's reasonably appropriate I think it's very appropriate I don't know
A robust and diverse regional economy
A desirable place to live, work, invest and visit
A progressive, productive community

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* 4. The next part of this feedback survey asks for your comment on each action in the Draft Economic Development Strategy. If you don't have time to answer these, please tell us your thoughts on the Draft Economic Development Strategy here.

If you'd like to provide a more thorough response, just skip this question and start ticking boxes (we've allowed for comments on every question, but you don't have to provide a comment unless you want to).

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* 5. The Draft Economic Development Strategy is set out in three five year stages. 

The actions in the first stage (2015-2020) are 'Gamechangers', things that will make an immediate difference to the way Murray Bridge residents, businesses, visitors and investors think about this region.

Stage 1 has six strategies:
1. Establishing a strong, positive, aspirational identity
2. Appealing and affordable housing to attract and retain new residents
3. Improved local career, education and entrepreneurship pathways to provide exciting and relevant employment opportunities for our young people
4. Increasing tourism, especially day trippers from Adelaide
5. Activating investment zones
6. Capitalising on and promoting the benefits of a multicultural community

We'd like your comments on each of these. This first set of questions is about Strategy 1: Establishing a strong and positive identity:

  I don't like it I think it's good, but I don't think we can achieve it I think it's good, and we should aim to make this happen
1. Beautifying town entrances and public spaces
2. Investigating a refreshed brand for Murray Bridge
3. Generating positive messages about Murray Bridge and its townships
4. Addressing how Council plans for development and processes applications
5. Engaging our leaders in strategies to address current barriers and in shaping the future
6. Capitalising on and promoting the benefits of a multicultural community

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* 6. Please tell us what you think of the actions for the strategy "Appealing and affordable housing for growth: We have appealing and affordable housing appropriate to incomes, aspirations and cultures to attract and retain new residents"

  I don't like it I think it's good, but I don't think we can achieve it I think it's good, and we should aim to make this happen
1. Planning for housing that retains rural character and provides a range of options
2. Reviewing Council planning and zoning to allow high end homes with River views and access
3. Developing relocation packages to assist skilled migrants to settle quickly

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* 7. Please tell us what you think of the actions for the strategy: "Career, education and entrepreneurship pathways: We are driving the development of local career, education and entrepreneurship pathways that build skills to grow the economy and provide exciting and relevant employment opportunities for our young people."

  I don't like it I think it's good, but I don't think we can achieve it I think it's good, and we should aim to make this happen
1. Setting up an Industry and Education Leadership Group to create local career pathways
2. Developing a business entrepreneurship and incubation program
3. Supporting initiatives such as the Chaffey Learning Exchange
4. Facilitating collaborations that lead to better use of tertiary facilities in Murray Bridge

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* 8. Please tell us what you think of the actions for strategy: "Tourism is contributing to a diverse economy and creating opportunity: Murray Bridge and its townships are positioned as a unique and desirable activity-based destination for travellers and Adelaide day trippers."

  I don't like it I think it's good, but I don't think we can achieve it I think it's good, and we should aim to make this happen
1. Encouraging niche businesses in shops and public places that are open on weekends
2. Working with neighbouring Councils to develop an integrated program of events
3. Zoning and planning that encourages River-based tourism and high end accommodation and eateries
4. Retaining quality Visitor Information Services

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* 9. Please tell us what you think of the actions for strategy: "Activate investment zones: Significant planning work has been done by Council and RDA Murraylands & Riverlands to identify targeted investment zones, it is time to activate these zones."

  I don't like it I think it's good, but I don't think we can achieve it I think it's good, and we should aim to make this happen
1. Update the Murray Bridge Investment Prospectus
2. Encouraging regional initiatives such as Gifford Hill, Monarto Transport Hub, Lower Murray Floodplains, and Tailem Bend Motorsport Park and the RCMB Riverfront Masterplan
3. Encouraging growth and diversity in the food production and processing industries
4. Advocating for Murray Bridge initiatives with the State and Commonwealth Governments

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* 10. STAGE 2 of the Draft Strategy provides guidance for 2020-2025, and focuses on

1. Murray Bridge is a recognised centre for educational opportunity
2. Fully operational investment zones 
3. Balanced business investment 
4. Online: fast, connected, informed  

Please tell us what you think of the actions for the first Stage 2 strategy: "Murray Bridge is a recognised centre for educational opportunity: Murray Bridge will be the largest centre for tertiary education in South Australia outside of metropolitan Adelaide."

  I don't like it I think it's good, but I don't think we can achieve it I think it's good, and we should aim to make this happen
1. Facilitating a multi-institution campus for tertiary education
2. Supporting the development and delivery of tertiary courses for key growth industries

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* 11. Please tell us what you think of the actions for strategy: "Fully operational investment zones: The investment zones are fully operational and Murray Bridge businesses and community are realising the potential of these developments."

  I don't like it I think it's good, but I don't think we can achieve it I think it's good, and we should aim to make this happen
1. Working with government and investors to identify emerging opportunities, and facilitating responses to these opportunities
2. Promoting successful outcomes to generate further interest and accelerate additional investment in ente
3. Producing, in collaboration with RDA Murraylands and Riverland, a new vision for investment and an investment prospectus that targets key opportunities

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* 12. Please tell us what you think of the actions for strategy: "Balanced business investment: By 2025 the Murray Bridge region will be home to a 'balanced portfolio' of small, medium and large businesses that together create a robust economy that is resilient in the face of economic and climatic shock."

  I don't like it I think it's good, but I don't think we can achieve it I think it's good, and we should aim to make this happen
1. Supporting the process of continual creation of new ventures to create a local 'engine house' for economic activity
2. Providing incentives to attract medium-sized businesses that contribute to economic diversity
3. Maintaining effective dialogue with large businesses to ensure that Council does not create unnecessary operational or expansion barriers
4. Capitalising on the diversity generated by our multi-cultural community
5. Monitoring emerging trends and collaborating with RDA Murraylands and Riverland to support initiatives that capitalise on opportunities and address detrimental effects

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* 13. Please tell us what you think of the actions for strategy: "Online - fast, connected, informed: Within a decade, the Murray Bridge region will be recognised as an 'early adopter' of online technologies, connecting the region to the world to access education, careers and markets.

The introduction of NBN in 2015 will trigger better uptake by homes and businesses, but by 2020 we need to assist those who have not connected, or who are not using the online environment effectively."

  I don't like it I think it's good, but I don't think we can achieve it I think it's good, and we should aim to make this happen
1. Encouraging comprehensive take-up of household connection to NBN
2.  Identify, source funding and deliver courses for small business to participate in in online marketing and e-commerce
3. Lead by example with Council's website, online transactions and social media presence
4. Monitoring trends in the online environment and providing this information to the community

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* 14. STAGE 3 of the Draft Strategy sets goals for 2025-2030, and focuses on

1. Integrated ideas, knowledge, opportunities
2. Adelaide's playground

Please tell us what you think of the actions for strategy: "Integrated ideas, knowledge, opportunities: Murray Bridge businesses, leaders and residents are sharing and testing ideas, developing innovative responses, and fast-tracking new initiatives to give the region a strong position in the global economy."

  I don't like it I think it's good, but I don't think we can achieve it I think it's good, and we should aim to make this happen
1. Continuing to develop integrated leadership programs during Stages 1 and 2
2. Connecting our leaders to the world through alliances, study tours and trade missions
3. Leveraging our partnerships with vocational and higher education to position the region as an international centre for applied research and learning

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* 15. Please tell us what you think of the actions for strategy: "Adelaide's playground: In 20 years we're expecting Adelaide to have a much larger population that is looking for interesting and different non-city entertainment. Murray Bridge can become a highly desirable River-based destination only an hour from the capital - for travellers, day trippers, and retirees."

  I don't like it I think it's good, but I don't think we can achieve it I think it's good, and we should aim to make this happen
1. Planned development of land adjacent to the River for high-end living
2. Encouraging businesses that create river-based activities so that visitors can access recreation that is currently only available to locals or boat owners
3. Maximise the benefits of a major attractions within the region: Monarto Zoo, Motorsport Park, Gifford Hill
4. Maintaining a program of festivals, markets, events and place-making activities

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* 16. Phew, you made it! 

Is there anything else you think should be included in the Economic Development Strategy?

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* 17. If you'd like to be kept informed about the Economic Development Strategy, please provide contact details. These will be kept separate from your responses to the questions above, and your responses will be anonymous.

Many thanks for taking the time to comment on the Draft Economic Development Strategy. If you have any questions or comments, please contact our consultant for this project: Dr Kristine Peters of KPPM Strategy on kristine@kppm.com.au or 0409 603 663.

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