Cooma-Monaro Growth Strategy Program 2002 to 2006

Country Centre Growth Strategy

The Alpine Regional Strategy, a regional planning document published in 2001, highlighted Cooma's role as a Regional Service Centre. In 2002, Cooma-Monaro was recognised by the NSW State Government as a Country Growth Centre.

This NSW Government initiative is designed to help selected regional communities optimise their economic growth and development through a co-ordinated approach for overcoming specific local impediments to economic growth and supporting local development initiatives. Cooma-Monaro Shire was selected as one of the 14 growth centres in 2002.

Monday 25 November 2002 saw the establishment and first meeting of the Country Centres Growth Strategy Steering committee for Cooma. Committee members include representatives from Cooma-Monaro Shire Council, Cooma Unlimited Chamber of Commerce (CUCCI), NSW Department of State and Regional Development (DSRD) and the Snowy-Monaro Business Enterprise Centre (BEC).

In March 2003, four initial projects were identified: Audit of Heritage Sites within the Shire; Update of Council's Prospectus, Business Executive Summary Brochures and Website; Strategic Plans for Cooma, Bredbo, Nimmitabel and Numeralla; and an Audit of Industry and Industrial Land within the shire.

Applications were prepared, revised, submitted and reviewed over the next 16 months and funding gained under various DSRD programs. Details of the individual projects are detailed - see links at left.

Cooma-Monaro Growth Strategy Management (2005 to 2007)

Working under a joint steering committee of representatives of Cooma-Monaro Council, Cooma Unlimited Chamber of Commerce, NSW Department of State and Regional Development , Cooma-Monaro Technology Centre and the BEC Board, the BEC was contracted to provide a growth strategy management role and assist the Shire's economic development. Funding was provided by the committee, stakeholders and the three year contract commenced in January 2005.

This project's main aim was to advance the four current growth strategy projects, identify opportunities arising from them and create new projects and activities. It was seen that this project would integrate with the BEC's other refocussed activities in small business skill development, mentoring and business coaching.

The BEC Manager, John Mercer, worked closely with Council's Economic Development and Tourism Promotions Manager, Caroline Fox, and Corporate Services Director, Daryl Hagger who formed the Programs Project Team. Specific activities under the project included development of an economic profile and annual data collection process; assisting business and industry with their set-up and relocation in the Cooma region; promoting finance and grant opportunities to local business; assisting the development of a co-operative framework for regional development for the three Monaro Councils and National Parks in the Snowy region and assisting Cooma-Monaro Shire Council with the economic aspects of their Local Environmental Planning Process.

Projects

Audit of Industry and Land Project

Industry and Industrial Land Project Report January 2005 146KB

Industry and Industrial Land Project Addendum Report September 2005 52KB

Cooma-Monaro Shire Councils Prospectus, Business Executive Summary, Brochure and website

This project was funded under DSRD's Country Lifestyles Program. Council completed the update of the material and integrated it with Council's website in 2004. A series of fact sheets were developed as inserts to the brochure. The fact sheets will be updated each year in time for the Councils participation at the Country Week Expo in Sydney. The website and brochure can be accessed through this link.

Snowy Enterprise Centre