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Department of State Growth

Circular Head Regional Economic Development Response

Circular Head Regional Economic Development Response

The closure of Murray Goulburn’s facility UHT facility at Edith Creek resulted in a loss of 115 local jobs in the Murchison region. In response, the Tasmanian Government offered immediate intervention with a commitment of $1.5 million to redeploy, retrain and support local workers and their families, as well as to generate new opportunities and businesses capitalising on the region’s strengths.

A Working Group was established to focus on supporting opportunities that fast track economic development and job creation across industry growth sectors, delivering local, sustainable employment through innovation, investment and jobs in the Circular Head region. The final report from the Working Group can be viewed here.

The final report of the working group shows that 93 displaced workers have found new jobs and 22 are receiving ongoing support to retrain and reskill to get back into the workforce.

To continue the progress we have already made, another 15 projects worth almost $1.3 million will receive nearly $516 000 in funding through our Greater Circular Head Enterprise Grants and Circular Head New Markets Access programs. So far these two programs are supporting 28 new full-time local jobs and fostered more than $566 000 in private investment in Circular Head since November 2017.

These new projects range from business and market expansion, to business support and training and regional marketing initiatives.

Overall 23 specific support programs were established under our Circular Head economic support package, with nine providing ongoing support in the region.

Our support package has helped more than one hundred local businesses participate in business and industry development programs, as well as helping establish five new businesses and opening up a range of new markets for local produce and manufactured goods.

Our work behind the scenes has also continued with the Office of the Coordinator-General and Department of State Growth working to secure the sale of the Edith Creek factory to Dutch Mill and the establishment of a new production facility.

While this has been a difficult time for the region, the final report of the Circular Head Regional Economic Development Working Group clearly shows we are well on the way to recovery, with an even greater resilience and determination to continue the progress Circular Head is already making.

Many of our Circular Head economic support package initiatives are continuing, meaning ongoing support will be available for local workers and businesses to deliver even more jobs and growth locally:

Program Support Available:

The Coasters Program

Cradle Coast Authority, University of Tasmania and CPA Australia

February

Connecting, inspiring and growing a network of like-minded and aspirational young people, who live and work on the North West Coast sharing skills, knowledge and experiences with career development and mentoring opportunities

Cradle Coast Authority

Claire Smith

Email: csmith@cradlecoast.com

Phone: Phone:  6433 8400

www.cradlecoast.com

The NextGen 2018

illuminate Education

February

Equipping students to be innovative, creative and entrepreneurial in an exciting five day program where students go through the process of starting their own business in their community, and includes the illuminate: NextGen Challenge.

illuminate Education

Adam Mostogl

Email: adam@illuminate.education

Phone: 0438 810 733

illuminateeducation.com.au/

Circular Head Marketing Development Mentoring Program

Kingthing Marketing

Available until June 2018

Upskilling potential and established industry operators and various related industries that service or benefit from tourists as they visit Tasmania’s North West.

KingThing

Rebecca King

Mobile: 0407 312 641

Email: rebecca@kingthing.com.au

www.kingthingmarketing.com

Circular Head Business Incubator Program

Van Diemen Project Pty Ltd

February

Empowering Tasmanian entrepreneurs and businesses to do great things globally. It helps innovative business owners build their business through a unique business model designed to help start-ups launch and existing businesses grow.

The Van Diemen Project

Adam Mostogl

Email: adam@vandiemenproject.com.au

Phone: 6349 1919

www.vandiemenproject.com.au

Greater Circular Head Enterprise Grants Program

Available until April 2018

The Greater Circular Head Enterprise Grant Program offers the opportunity to apply for a one-off grant of up to $150 000 per project to eligible applicants located in the greater Circular Head region.

The program seeks to identify projects that will generate new investment and employment that will help diversify and strengthen the local Circular Head economy.

The program aims to support businesses in the Circular Head and surrounding region, to invest in projects that will significantly improve their growth, performance, productivity and sustainability.

Successful applicants under the program will be required to contribute matching funds on a $1 for $1 contribution, exclusive of in-kind.

Circular Head New Markets Access Grant Program

Available until April 2018

The Circular Head New Market Access Program is designed to support enterprises in the Circular Head region. The Program has been developed to enable recipients to explore and seek new opportunities and markets, both interstate and internationally.

The Program may provide assistance to:

  • commission market research and business matching services
  • undertake marketing activities and planning
  • undertake and develop promotional activities, including advertising
  • attend key trade exhibitions and promotions
  • assist with inbound buyer visits to Tasmania
  • support companies collaboration on the establishment of new markets.

Assistance is available to eligible business enterprises in the greater Circular Head region and/or those that can demonstrate they can offer employment opportunities for displaced workers. To be considered for support enterprises must also have a sales turnover in excess of $100 000.