Kempsey Shire Council is planning for a more diverse and robust local economy with consultants SC Lennon and Associates appointed to work with the community to prepare the Macleay Valley Economic Development and Tourism Strategy to guide council’s efforts for the next ten years.

In October last year, council established the Macleay Valley Economic Development and Tourism Committee, comprising business, industry and community representatives, to oversee the strategy’s preparation and implementation.

Committee Chair and council general manager, Craig Milburn, said the strategy will provide a clear, actionable and achievable road map for the Macleay Valley’s future growth and prosperity.

“This important new strategy will identify our strengths, challenges, issues and opportunities and provide a clear pathway for progress and success,” he said.

“A key role of council is to help make it easier to invest and do business in our area, so things like the availability of serviced employment land and our workforce capabilities will need to be carefully considered.

“Our focus as a committee will be on the positives, so opportunities to value-add to the Shire’s agricultural and manufacturing strengths and to attract visitors to our Shire will be at the forefront of the strategy investigations.”

Director of SC Lennon and Associates, Mr Sasha Lennon, said stakeholder engagement will be an important part of the strategy development process.

“This is a strategy for the Macleay Valley, so it is essential that we engage with key stakeholders in Kempsey, Crescent Head, South West Rocks, Bellbrook and Willawarrin to hear what they have to say about current issues and emerging opportunities for economic development and tourism,” he said.

Work on council’s new Economic Development and Tourism Strategy has already begun with research, consultation and targeted focus groups being held throughout the Macleay Valley in February and March.

A draft strategy will then be prepared and made available for public comment.

Local businesses and residents are encouraged to give their input into the Macleay Valley Economic Development and Tourism Strategy by completing a short online survey at: https://yoursay.macleay.nsw.gov.au/economicdevelopment-and-tourism-strategy 

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