The Gawler Economic Development Strategy identifies how Gawler can increase economic activity, create jobs and enhance business development opportunities in the region. Please take the opportunity to shape the economic future of Gawler by providing feedback on the Draft Strategy.

Town of Gawler received funding from the Australian Government through the Building Better Regions Fund to develop an Economic Strategy for the local government area.  Council have worked with consultants Hudson and Howell to initiate the project as well as local stakeholders, being; the Gawler Business Innovation Hub, Gawler Business Development Group and Regional Development Australia (Barossa, Gawler, Light and Adelaide Plains) to create this Strategy.

The objectives of the Gawler Economic Development Strategy are:

• To provide a clear vision which can be articulated to industry stakeholders, businesses and community (aligned with local regional, state and national economic development objectives);
• To identify resourcing and budgets required to deliver the outcomes over the life of the strategy;
• Ensure the broad range of stakeholders are engaged and provided with an opportunity to actively participate in the implementation of the Economic Development Strategy;
• Competitively position Gawler as a Smart Living desirable community through identifying economic development opportunities, maximising visitation and yield.

The Town of Gawler aims to build on growth by leveraging the unique characteristics of Gawler in order to build the economic capacity and deliver prosperity for our Town and its residents.  Council want to enhance Gawler’s economic capacity by making Gawler an increasingly attractive place live and to do business.

The Draft Strategy consists of 6 key pillars providing a focus for action and investment of resources with multiple actions under each pillar.  The pillars are:

1. Mainstreet Activation
2. Marketing and Promotion
3. Economic Internationalisation - Tourism , Investment and Export
4. Physical and Virtual Clusters
5. Regional Collaboration
6. Regional Investment

Successful delivery of the strategy will rely on collaboration between Council, local business, local community groups and the continued involvement of key stakeholders such as:

• Gawler Business Innovation Hub
• Gawler Visitor Information Centre
• Gawler Business Development Group
• Regional Development Australia (Barossa, Gawler, Light, Adelaide Plains.)

The Draft Strategy also includes a number of actions that will support the economic recovery of the local economy from the financial impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic which has been felt on a global scale.

Written submissions are welcome and can be lodged via the following methods:

• Post – to PO Box 130, Gawler SA 5118
• Over the counter – Town of Gawler Administration Centre, 43 High Street, Gawler East
• Email - Council@gawler.sa.gov.au
• Your Voice Gawler (via 'Make an online submission' below)

Council welcomes your comments or questions on the Draft Strategy. The Gawler Economic Development Strategy Snapshot (overview of Vision, Economic Pillars and Action Plan only) and the Draft Gawler Economic Development Strategy (full document) are available through the links below.

Any submissions received will be reviewed and the Strategy will be updated accordingly with the final version of the document being presented to Council for consideration for adoption at the following Ordinary Meeting of Council.

All comments must be received by 5pm on Wednesday 3 February 2021.

Henry Inat
Chief Executive Officer