Task Groups

Western Downs Economic Development Task Group

During 2009 Council undertook a Business Capability Survey in partnership with the Chambers of Commerce and business groups across the Western Downs. Continuing desire from all parties to partner in the development of new economic development projects has led to the formation of the Western Downs Economic Development Task Group (WDEDTG) in February 2010.

The WDEDTG is an overarching task group which presides over three additional working task groups: Business Growth, Infrastructure, Transport & Sustainable Environment and IT, Education & Training task group.

The framework from which the task groups will operate is displayed below.

Business Growth Task Group

Growth in new and existing business will only occur if the business climate is 'conducive to business'.

It is recognised that a partnership with Chambers of Commerce (incorporating Chambers of Commerce and other similar business or industry representative groups or associations) will generate ideas to support business across the region, progress projects for regional economic development and enhance members of the Chambers.

The Business Growth Task Group will facilitate a developing regional business environment.

Task group members are passionate about generating ideas and programs targeted at supporting all businesses across the region in terms of skilling, knowledge provision, networking and business investment attraction.

Infrastructure, Transport & Sustainable Environment Task Group

Transport and the regional road network is a concern for regional business development. With traffic expected to increase, the problems currently faced by residents and businesses are only set to increase. Limited funding for road projects means that funding must be directed to priorities that are well known and supported.

The key issue which will need to be addressed is ensuring economic development can continue to drive growth while the regional transport network is changed from a weakness to a strength.

The Infrastructure, Transport and Sustainable Environment Task Group will identify the problems effectively defining the weakness, establish a vision and identify activies, technologies, etc that will enable this vision to be realised.

Applicability of new transport solutions, including gas/electric powered vehicles, alternative transit systems and encouraging sustainable transport practice for business, industry and residents will be key to the success of this project.
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IT, Education and Training Task Group

The IT, Education and Training Task Group will work to align the programs of intra-regional education, training and employment in order to effectively and efficiently use resources for greater output.

Ongoing development in the energy resource sector is not only to strain employment resources in that sector but also indirectly impact other industries and their development, with a skills shortage a significant issue for all developing economies.

The key issue which will need to be addressed is attraction of skilled workers and their families to the region and training within the region to ensure that every person able to work as sufficient skills, or is quickly able to gain skills, to enable them to be an active member of a growing regional labour force.