Economic and Business Development

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Consultation has concluded



On 9 November 2016, Council adopted a new Economic Development Strategy (2016-2026) and an associated Implementation Action Plan.

These two documents identify strategies as a pathway of initiatives which aim to:

  1. attract investment;

  2. support business to expand;

  3. support existing and develop emerging industry;

  4. grow and diversify a regional workforce;

  5. identify and advocate for strategic economic infrastructure; and,

  6. enhance the quality of place, particularly precincts with high tourist visitation.

An Economic Profile of the City of Busselton and the Strategy document can be viewed in the ‘Document Library’ section.

The Council has established a new Economic Development Taskforce. This body



On 9 November 2016, Council adopted a new Economic Development Strategy (2016-2026) and an associated Implementation Action Plan.

These two documents identify strategies as a pathway of initiatives which aim to:

  1. attract investment;

  2. support business to expand;

  3. support existing and develop emerging industry;

  4. grow and diversify a regional workforce;

  5. identify and advocate for strategic economic infrastructure; and,

  6. enhance the quality of place, particularly precincts with high tourist visitation.

An Economic Profile of the City of Busselton and the Strategy document can be viewed in the ‘Document Library’ section.

The Council has established a new Economic Development Taskforce. This body is chaired by the Mayor and comprises:

• Two elected members of Council;

• Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association;

• South West Development Commission (State Government);

• Regional Development Australia South West (Federal Government);

• Busselton Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (BCCI);

• Dunsborough-Yallingup Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DYCCI);

• Six business/industry sector members

The Taskforce will work on the Implementation Plan for the Economic Development Strategy.

Local creativity, energy and a willingness to share ideas to work together will help drive our destiny. The ‘Busselton Your Say’ site provides an online forum to provide the community with an opportunity to contribute to debate on local economic development issues and challenges. Stakeholders are welcome to contribute to our Brainstorming Board – tell us what’s working here in the City of Busselton?

Where are the service gaps? Where are the business opportunities?

Your feedback is the key to our collective success.

The WA Government has announced the City of Busselton has been selected as one of five regional cities to be funded as part of the Regional Centres Development Plan program. The funds will help us to accelerate some initiatives for building better business and centres in Busselton and Dunsborough throughout 2017 and beyond.

Discussions: All (4) Open (4)
  • How can we do business better in the City of Busselton?

    by Meredith, over 7 years ago
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    The City of Busselton and surrounding economies are transitioning into a more globally connected economy. Tourism growth, increasing investment, improved transport and communication links and an expanding demographic, are already driving local business and providing new opportunities. Sustainable and responsible growth is at the core of our collective objectives - we want to see greater diversity of employment opportunities.  What steps are you, as a business operator, taking to prepare for this transition?  Do you have a plan in place to capitalize on these new opportunities? How can we work together to achieve a stronger, more focussed, and more globally connected economy?

    We had a very comprehensive discussion in our Forum on Tuesday. Around 40 people participated in the discussion and we were able to start our discussion about how to found a movement for building better business within a context of the local economy.

    The Mayor invited everybody to join in a discussion that would lead us into new and energised collaboration.  His welcome address is attached to this site.

    The City of Busselton provided a background to the strategies of planning for growth and economic development.

    Facilitator Alison Dalziel took the group through a series of sessions including a workshop with several exercises.

    Ryan Victa from the Department of Regional Development foreshadowed the Regional Centres Development Program and explained how regional communities were now able to prepare themselves to be more entrepreneurial and proactive - setting priorities and offering a more systematic and reasoned series of economic development steps.

    The stage is set for some engaged and innovative proposals to emerge - to reinvigorate our local economy and build better business in the City of Busselton. 

  • Innovation: Finding better ways to do business

    over 7 years ago
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    Busselton and its surrounding economy is diverse and covers some large and small enterprises. Our agriculture for example has led the way for new techniques, with wineries, dairy and beef production achieving consistently high rates of production quality and efficiencies.  Busselton has creative industries and tourist operations that have been able to identify and grow with niches.  Their enterprise has been able to take on the world markets and succeed. Our success-stories inspire us and prove that our location can nurture enterprise and reward dedicated effort to excel. Can these winners help others to succeed?

    How can we increase the awareness of entrepreneurs and innovators and build networks where synergies take hold?

    In a changing business world, what are the next breakthroughs, and how can we support their development for broader benefits?

  • Does the Economic Development Strategy give your business added confidence in the future of the local economy?

    over 7 years ago
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    The Economic Development Strategy has been prepared with consultation from a range of government, business and community stakeholders. The Strategy was adopted by the Council in late 2016 as a tool to guide a pattern of actions that aim to propel economic growth 'from the ground up'.

    It places emphasis on building functional partnerships to deliver economic and business development to the community.  An Implementation Action Plan accompanies the Strategy, providing a suite of practical initiatives the City and stakeholders can undertake to meet objectives outlined n the Strategy.

  • How do we add life to the Busselton and Dunsborough CBDs?

    over 7 years ago
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    Shop related businesses rely upon people to access their premises to buy goods and services.

    Research from Melbourne indicates that streets with high numbers of pedestrians and cyclists also have higher retail turnovers. The City of Vincent has followed this lead by introducing improvements to shopping streets that encourage pedestrians and cyclists. Through traffic is being diverted and parking areas re-designed to share road space with pedestrians, cyclists and trees.

    Activities and 'hang-out' spaces are being developed and for the past five years the City of Vincent has grown its reputation for creating inviting streets for business and leisure.  

    Some members of our community are less reliant on cars for access and mobility.  The young and the old people in our community need safe and accessible pavements, direct routes and shaded places to sit and rest.

    The National Heart Foundation is seeking partners for their Healthy Active By Design program - this aims to make our cities more conducive to walking and cycling to address the national obesity epidemic.

    Considering Busselton and Dunsborough and our future growth, how suitable is our CBD for our diversifying population? Do we need Healthy Active By Design streets?

    What do you think about this?