ANNUAL REPORT - Coffs Harbour City Council - NSW Government

Learning and Prospering (Continued)OBJECTIVE: LP1.2 Our economy is strong and diverse and provides a wide range of rewarding employment options which are available to all.OBJECTIVE MEASURE: Incorporating the results from Council’s implementation of strategies during the period, assess the strength anddiversity of the Coffs Harbour economy, particularly in regard to employment opportunities.The Coffs Harbour City Council local government area has the highest diversity of industry on the NSW North Coast and is continuing to see adecline in the local unemployment rate, dropping from 9.6% in 2005 to 6.3% in 2011.Council continues to encourage diversity by working on various industry initiatives including the development and implementation of industryplans including the Education and Training Strategy, Health and Wellbeing Strategy, Local Food Futures Framework, Council's Events Strategy,Manufacturing Industry Action Plan and the Switched on Coffs digital strategy. Such initiatives have led to various outcomes including, for thehealth industry, an increase in the number of GPs in the region and investment of over $20 million dollars in health infrastructure in the pastcouple of years.Council Programs that contribute to achieving this Objective:130 COFFS COAST MARKETING 310 PROPERTY & COMMERCIAL SERVICES375 SPORTS DEVELOPMENT 517 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTStakeholder comment: Nambucca Shire Council(Strategy LP1.2.1 - Encourage and support the development of high value, sustainable new business and industry..)NSC provides infrastructure and in-kind support to new business. NSC attends trade and investment forums to identify and target new businessstart ups and relocations.OBJECTIVE: LP1.3 Our young people work, live and study here.OBJECTIVE MEASURE: Incorporating the results from Council’s implementation of strategies during the period, assess the level of retentionand attraction of young people to Coffs Harbour.Council's 'Switched on Coffs TV' has been developed to include a focus on Youth, in particular engaging more effectively with young people andproviding information on opportunities for them within the region. Council's Economic Development Unit has also worked with the education andtraining sector looking at the role of youth in the developing digital economy and the educational, economic, and social benefits this provides forthe region’s youth. Council's current Wi-Fi initiative in the CBD proposes to engage with local youth and attract more young people into the CBD.Coffs Harbour City Council – 2011/2012 Annual Report – Section 1 - incorporating 2030 End of Term Report Page 15