Adoption of development strategy announced

AN action plan for the Central Otago District Council’s new economic development strategy will be put in place, as the adoption of the fiveyear strategy is announced.

Council acting economic development manager Rebecca McElrea said this week the 201924 strategy had been adopted, after it was endorsed at the council’s meeting last month.

The strategy was the result of ‘‘many months’’ of consultation and development.

It included consideration of 17 submissions following release of the final draft plan earlier this year.

The strategy contained eight key objectives, Mrs McElrea said.

They are: improving connectivity and infrastructure; being business friendly; developing affordable, accessible and attractive places; protecting and enhancing the landscape and environment; supporting diversity of age, skills and activities; fostering a smart, progressive and collaborative district; increasing prosperity and wellbeing across the district; and supporting the visitor economy, in alignment with the council’s tourism strategy.

The development of an action plan that would enable council to monitor and report against actions on the economic development strategy on a regular basis would be the ‘‘next step’’ for council, Mrs McElrea said.