Local governments will be better positioned to capitalise on trade and investment opportunities in their local communities, following the decision by the LGAQ Policy Executive in Winton this week to seek support from the State Government to maximise their return from trade and investment attraction initiatives and opportunities.
LGAQ has committed interim funding of $185,000 per annum over two years to kick start the initiative, with funding used to employ a trade and investment mentor to support councils and create (in conjunction with the State and Federal Government) a Trade and Investment Attraction Professional Development Program customised for local government.
The initiative aims to ensure local government's role is recognised within the State Government's repositioned trade and investment strategy, foster favourable conditions for trade and investment across Queensland, and target councils' limited resources to create the right market signals.
'Members have called on the LGAQ to assist with better coordination around trade, tourism and investment activities, access to advice on trade and investment strategies as well as training and professional development,' LGAQ Advocacy general manager Sarah Buckler said.
'LGAQ will continue to work with both levels of government on opportunities around inbound and outbound trade delegations to increase economic opportunities across Queensland.
'Central to this will be the negotiation and implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding [MOU] between the LGAQ and TIQ, outlining how roles can be augmented without duplication to benefit economic outcomes across Queensland.
'Councils see this as vital to the economic growth of their regions but indicated they needed greater support in facilitating a more strategic and coordinated approach to their activities,' she said.