5 minute read
Planning for success
DOGWHISTLE CREATIVE
Reporting and reflecting
This Business Activation Plan is the responsibility of the LCC Economic Development team, and is supported by detailed project Planning along with ongoing engagement and evaluation. We will deploy various approaches to assess benefits and impacts, including the NSW Government Great Public Spaces Evaluation Tool, and .id Economic Impact Assessment. While local investment and relevance is primary, we also consider how BAP outcomes may positively align with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We developed this Plan with support from a Business Activation Plan Working Group, with representatives from Lismore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nimbin Chamber of Commerce, Lismore Square, Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers, and Lismore City Council. A new Working Group will be established to provide guidance on Plan delivery, review and enhancement, which will meet quarterly according to terms of reference. The Business Activation Plan reporting framework will feature: • Timely updates about relevant news and opportunities through the Economic
Development Team’s monthly Business
Enewsletter and Council’s Local Matters publication • Quarterly updates about outcomes, learnings and opportunities for the
Working Group to provide expert insights • Six-monthly snapshots shared with business and community stakeholders • Alignment with the Economic Development
Strategy and LCC Integrated Planning and Reporting
Framework, with annual reports to Council.
KATE HOLMES PHOTOGRAPHY BY NATSKY
report annually opportunities & projects identified measure projectsperformance prioritised IMPLEMENTATION & REPORTING CYCLE deliver project project design & costing lodge exploreapplication funding Image 7: Lismore City Council’s Implementation and Reporting Cycle
DOGWHISTLE CREATIVE TREVOR WORDEN
Many of the actions in this Plan require the Economic Development team to work with other parts of Council, supporting a whole-ofgovernment approach to business activation in Lismore and Nimbin. Reporting will address both direct actions and acknowledge links with other parts of Council and external partners.
Bark Design Pty Ltd
Artist’s impression of Wilson River activation – Courtesy NSW Dept Planning, Industry and Environment, Lismore Regional City Action Plan
PLAN ENGAGEMENT AND OUTCOMES WILL INFORM NEW GRANT APPLICATIONS AND RESOURCING OPPORTUNITIES TO BENEFIT NIMBIN AND LISMORE BUSINESS COMMUNITIES
Existing funding and sourcing new opportunities
This Plan is all about building partnerships and collaboration for activation, which is true for resourcing as well. New funding will be required to advance all activation priorities. We will actively pursue external funding opportunities as part of BAP implementation. Activities will primarily be funded through the Special Business Rate Variation Levy (SBRVL), which supports promotion and revitalisation of the business environment in Lismore. Current levels of SBRVL funding continue until end June 2023, providing approximately $300,000 base funds in 2021-22 and $346,000 carried forward (plus salary, coordination and contingency costs) with recurring funds subject to indexation and rate-paying base changes. Beyond the scope of this Plan for SBRVL funds are the City Safe Program in Lismore (which receives funding through a separate levy of approximately $204,000 in 2021/22) and the Nimbin SBRVL (approximately $16,000 in 2021/22). Some resourcing will also be available from Council’s Economic Development funds, with 2021-22 actions informing budget development for 2022-23. Complementing this Plan, other recent grant outcomes include $2,546,640 to Lismore City Council to build Stage 1 of the Rainbow Road Walking Track in Nimbin, and $117,647 to Nimbin Chamber of Commerce to develop tourism website and signage. There are also several successful and pending grants for Lismore parks, walking trails, infrastructure and economic development initiatives that we seek to leverage with this Plan, with outcomes to be included with BAP reporting.
There are diverse funding sources for which Council can apply from the State and Australian Governments. Partnering and collaborating between Council and local businesses and other key organisations are critical for success from many funding sources. Australian Government grants, for example, often require matched funding from applicants to be eligible. Examples include: • Building Better Regions Fund (Australian Government).
Details: https://www.regional.gov.au/regional/ programs/building-better-regions-fund.aspx • Region Events Acceleration Fund (State Government).
Details: https://www.nsw.gov.au/regional-growthfund/regional-events-acceleration-fund • Stronger Country Communities Fund (State
Details: https://www.investregional.nsw.gov.au/ investment-support/regional-skills-relocation-grant • Regional Growth Fund (State Government) – in
November 2020 an additional $300 million investment was announced over two years for additional rounds of ‘Resources for Regions and Stronger Country
Artist’s impression of South Lismore Employment Area – Courtesy NSW Dept Planning, Industry and Environment, Lismore Regional City Action Plan
lism re
Bark Design Pty Ltd
About Astrolabe Group Astrolabe Group are the recognised experts in urban growth and change management with a uniquely empathetic approach to client and community. Astrolabe worked with Lismore City Council and its stakeholders to develop the Business Activation Plan. In preparing the Plan, Astrolabe has made every effort to ensure the information included is reliable and accurate. Astrolabe is unable to accept responsibility for the use of this report by third parties.
If you would like to find out more about this Plan or how you can be involved, get in touch with the Economic Development Team. Kathryn Gray, CBD Activation Officer 02 6625 0500 kathryn.gray@lismore.nsw.gov.au lismore.nsw.gov.au/business-activation-Plan
