City’s plan to buffer ‘crisis’

Fast-track projects, support local businesses

Written by STEVEN BURKE. - source: Wangaratta Chronicle

WORK has begun on a four-pronged strategy designed to help Wangaratta businesses fight their way through the global economic crisis.

Endorsed by Rural City of Wangaratta councillors last night, the strategy has been devised by the board of Wangaratta Unlimited, and is structured around the catchcry "Now is not the time to be timid".

The strategy focuses on the areas of: direct economic stimulation; innovation and entrepreneurship; leadership; and business support.

As part of the strategy, council will attempt to capitalise on government funding to fast-track local projects, including the Ovens Riverside Project, Wangaratta Showgrounds redevelopment and the Centre for Medical Excellence.

A delegation from Wangaratta Unlimited, as well as council chief executive Doug Sharp and mayor Ron Webb, are in Canberra today to lobby the government for support of its projects.

"We are in a position where we can go to them and present these projects that are ready to go," said Wangaratta Unlimited’s Graham Nickless.

"The areas of the economy that are really susceptible would be retail, and certainly the trades areas, particularly around housing construction, which we’re hearing has tapered off a bit."

The board is also approaching the crisis at the ground level, with a mail out in Wangaratta this week designed to give all 1100 locally registered businesses a checklist of the best ways to run their businesses.

Mr Nickless said board members will also participate in a mentoring program with local business owners.

"We’re mindful we’ve got some highly credentialled and experienced business leaders within our board," he said.

"Tapping into that, that skill base and expertise, is invaluable."

Mr Nickless said the strategy was designed to build confidence in local businesses.

"We’ve been a bit heartened that Wangaratta has been cushioned to date," he said.

"We haven’t had the big closures of Albury/Wodonga.

"There’s no question this is a challenging time.

"But this is also a time of opportunity.

"Interest rates have not been at this level in my working life, so there are opportunities for acquisitions."

The strategy also involves a plan to help local retailers attract customers to Wangaratta.

"We are trying to enhance marketing of our retail offer so we try and stop more of our expenditure leakage from our catchment," Mr Nickless said.

"We need to work collaboratively to do this," he said.

In endorsing the plan, councillor Lisa McInerney said local businesses needed to embrace Wangaratta Unlimited’s help.

Cr Rozi Parisotto said she was confident the plan would have an impact.

"This is about us not burying our heads in the sand," she said.

It is understood Wangaratta is one of the first councils in Australia to devise its own strategy to deal with the global economic crisis, and the strategy will form council’s submission to the Federal Government’s inquiry into the impact of the global financial crisis on regional Australia.