The Northern Tasmanian Development Corporation are undertaking, as part of the City Deal, fundamentally important work into developing a regional economic plan for Northern Tasmania. NTDC has been able to develop a clear picture of the key challenges through detailed research into the North’s current (and historic) economic and demographic position.

Critically, recent data shows that Launceston’s workforce is aging at a rate faster than is sustainable. This means more people are entering retirement than entering the workforce. This is one of many reasons why so much effort is being expended by our political leaders into bringing new jobs into Tasmania. As a consequence, the chamber is strongly of the view that any public service jobs relocated to Tasmania should be established in the North where they can do the most good.

If we are to have a sustainable, vibrant and attractive city that has a prosperous future, Launceston needs more working families permanently establishing here in Launceston. Working families, apart from being the bedrock to our community, are also the key economic driver of growth and sustainability. Families who work hard do so to provide a better life for those who depend upon them. They are aspirational and strive for a better quality of life and the creation of opportunity. Working families want a great education for their kids, a better house, car, boat, bike, holiday, TV, and so on. It is clearly self-evident that this drives the local economy across all sectors. From an economic standpoint, we need active contributors to the financial health of this city. We need doers of work, creators of employment and builders of business. People with jobs are net contributors to the economy and the more there are, the more prosperous we as a city, state and nation become.

Planning for population growth is the key. We certainly don’t want Launceston to be in the same situation as Hobart, where growth has far outstripped infrastructure. We have an opportunity in Launceston to attract new business and residents and to plan for growth in a way that preserves the amenity of this wonderful city yet places our economic health on a sustainable footing.

Local and state governments are increasingly proactive in planning for the future needs of Launceston and the wider north of Tasmania. There is currently a strong focus on what Launceston will look like in the future. The university transformation project is part of that, but certainly not all of it. During the state election campaign there were several significant announcements made to address future congestion issues and infrastructure needs. The private sector will also play a key role in driving economic growth through the realisation of opportunity. There are many positives to establishing a family and business here in Launceston: the next challenge is to make the case for more people to call Launceston home.