Innovation, population growth and infrastructure are among the key priorities outlined in a new draft strategy setting out the economic vision of Northern Tasmania.
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As a commitment to the Launceston City Deal, the Northern Tasmania Development Corporation has developed a Draft Northern Tasmania Regional Economic Development Strategy.
The strategy sets out the economic vision of making Launceston and Northern Tasmania Australia's most liveable and innovative region by 2031, with growing incomes and falling levels of disadvantage.
NTDC chief executive Maree Tetlow said the strategy identified the activities required to improve economic outcomes for the north, while building on its strengths.
"The region has a myriad of positive attributes including our natural assets, industry specialisations, and a strong innovative and commercial history," she said.
"Plus, we have business and community leaders that have a passion for our places, community development, and equal opportunity.
"They want to see our region prosper and the benefits available and accessible to all our residents.
"We want to build on our natural assets, our ingenuity and close community bonds, to empower our people and build collaboration and innovation as an ongoing part of our community culture."
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The strategy identifies six priorities required to improve economic outcomes.
They include increasing exports from $5.3 billion in 2018 to $7.7 billion in 2031; population growth and increasing the number of skilled workers by 10,000; innovation and increasing productivity per hour worked from $65 in 2018 to $89 in 2031; increasing private and public investment from $1.47 billion per year in 2018 to $2.25 billion per year in 2031; infrastructure, including developing a sustainable pipeline of public and private projects supporting community; and participation and productivity, including monitoring the health and wellbeing and education rates of the community.
Ms Tetlow said the strategy would be supported by an implementation plan, including prioritised actions and performance measures.
"It is also the intention to consider new industry sector opportunities in the updated the implementation plan, such as the potential renewable energy Sector, and the potential Hydrogen Energy Hub at Bell Bay," she said.
The draft strategy can be viewed at ntdc.org.au, and is open for public comment until October 22 via maree@ntdc.org.au.
NTDC is a regional economic development agency owned by seven Northern Tasmanian councils.