The Draft Economic Development Strategy, prepared by Deloitte, has listed our failure to properly tell our own story as one of the borough’s key challenges.
“Previous efforts in developing this have not been thorough and inclusive, and so have not been successful,” the report says.
The $65,000 strategy, jointly funded by the state government and Borough of Queenscliffe, highlights a “fractured” retail and hospitality landscape and warns against further fragmentation.
Our size, ageing population and rents and rates are also listed as challenges to growth.
“The relatively small size and the peaceful village atmosphere is undoubtedly more opportunity than challenge when looking to the future. But the borough is not an island and cannot see itself as such. Proactive, managed economic activity is the key to not just preserving the past but also enabling the future,” the strategy says.
Unlocking and maximising the tourism potential of Queenscliff Fort, an integrated arts and culture calendar and building our reputation as a health and wellness destination are listed among potenital measures for success.
The Queenscliff Council has just awarded Deloitte a $200,000 tender to prepare a Fort tourism masterplan. It denies the contract undermines the objectivity of the Economic Development Strategy's recommendations.
‘The resolution to appoint Deloitte to undertake the EDS work was undertaken under the CEO’s delegation on 20th March 2017 and the resolution to appoint Deloitte head of the Fort of Queenscliff business case was made at the Council meeting of 24 August 2017,” said Phillip Carruthers, General Manager Organisational Performance and Community Services.