Whittlesea council is on a mission to attract 10,000 new jobs to the municipality over the next five years.
The bold vision is part of the council’s new economic development strategy, which is aimed at creating jobs, supporting local businesses and boosting the economy.
The strategy was put together by the council’s economic development team in consultation with local businesses, tertiary institutions, neighbouring councils, developers, traders associations and retail centres.
It aims to create new jobs by building a healthy, prosperous and resilient community and encouraging the development of a vibrant local economy.
“Supporting and growing our existing businesses, small and large, and attracting new jobs for our growing population is critical,” mayor Ricky Kirkham said.
“Our community needs high-paying, highly-skilled jobs here in the future.”
Cr Kirkham said the council wanted to encourage existing businesses to expand while also marketing Whittlesea as an ideal location for investing in manufacturing and logistics.
According to the strategy, 94,352 Whittlesea residents are employed, but there are only 58,715 local jobs.
Retail is the city’s biggest employer, offering 9081 jobs, followed by manufacturing (8909) and health care and social assistance (7484).
There are 12,480 local businesses, about 90 per cent of which employ four or less staff.
The strategy states that there were a number of challenges impacting on Whittlesea’s economic development, including high youth unemployment, changes in manufacturing, and disengaged small and home-based businesses.
It found that in recent years, agriculture and tourism had emerged as important sectors of the local economy.
Cr Emilia Lisa Sterjova said the strategy was vital to the wellbeing of residents.
“We must always be striving for more jobs. We have got to look at new industries and new jobs, and making the City of Whittlesea attractive to new industries,” Cr Sterjova said.
