Redland's economic plan scrutinised

Chamber president Garry Hargrave said the city’s annual growth target of 3 per cent was “unambitious” and out of synch with forecasts of a 1.2 per cent population growth.

But he praised the draft’s “noble” plan to increase the city’s self-efficiency target from 40 per cent to 60 per cent, with new businesses would not

He said since 2001, the city had experienced annual average population growth of 2.1 per cent – double what was proposed in the draft which included “innocuous motherhood statements” but also some “pretty radical” ideas.

“If the city is planning for 3 per cent growth in gross regional product but there is only 1.2per cent population growth … future employment and jobs won’t be in businesses that rely on consumption,” he said.

“Currently, 60 per cent of workers leave Redlands to work elsewhere and this strategy wants to turn that around.

“That means a major change in the way the city attracts new businesses because there is not going to be increases in the population.”

Mr Hargrave said the chamber was working with the council to “create a common vision” so the city could turn around the daily exodus from the city.

He said the economic strategy would also influence the eight-year Redland City Plan, currently under the review.

He said quality urban areas were required in the city plan to help Redlands move from consumption-led growth and traditional warehouse manufacturing industries to knowledge-based small industries.