Graham Brown OAM loves a chat.
The MidCoast Business Chamber president talks freely and fervently about MidCoast Council issues and opportunities. He contends “conversation is the key to unlocking economic development” in the region and intends to press a positive message and push for investment when he speaks to local, State and federal government representatives.
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“Economic development is about private enterprise and it is a conversation you have with everybody all the time,” Mr Brown said. “It is not, ‘we can press that button and magically grow our economy’ - if it was that easy none of us would be suffering.”
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Mr Brown says MidCoast Council “cannot create economic development” and hopes it will proactively seek to work with the chamber.
“The council cannot create economic development, the silly example is that they could make a really good road so that businesses can travel on them to start up a business somewhere else, but council can’t actually start the business.
“Private enterprise is always going to be starting the businesses that create economic development.”
Deb Tuckerman is MidCoast Council’s Manager of Growth, Economic Development and Tourism. It’s a big title with big responsibilities that include economic development, destination management, event liaison, managing Manning Regional Art Gallery and Manning Entertainment Centre.
Mr Brown says “we don’t have a truly dedicated economic development manager” and believes there “are far too many portfolios sitting underneath”.
“They are all important towards economic development but it should not be her role to be managing them and that’s what they (council) have given her to do. So we don’t have a truly dedicated economic development manager.
“We have gone from one dedicated economic development officer across one of the former council areas to one economic development officer covering three former council areas, and then getting additional portfolios stuck under her.
The Manning Valley is going to notice a significant change but that’s no problem as long as we get some extra pair of hands.
- Graham Brown OAM
MidCoast Council says those “extra pair of hands” will come in addition to the support of it director of Community Spaces and Services Division, Paul De Szell.
A council spokesperson advises “several economic development positions are yet to be filled” and that “these positions will increase council’s capacity to work in partnership with relevant stakeholders to further support economic and employment projects and initiatives.”
“Once filled, this will provide a much needed focus on economic development, with a team consisting of the general manager, director, manager as well as dedicated staff - a fundamental shift from what could be achieved by the former councils in isolation prior to the merger.”
Mr Brown believes “it is not a poison chalice to be tasked with economic development” and says it is simply “about getting your networks right.”
“I don’t just mean telling people who the plumber is, but having a network of contacts in federal government, in State government and in business, and that is where you have the conversations that will connect and create opportunities for our region.”
