Thank you to those who took the time to complete the recent business survey to help inform the draft Economic Growth & Tourism Strategic Plan 2025-30 for the City of Onkaparinga. Congratulations to Funk Bros DJ the winner of the marketing prize pack.

In October we held two workshops where many shared their insights, ideas and local knowledge.

We are now using all feedback to develop the draft Economic Growth and Tourism Strategic Plan that will elevate the standard of living for all residents and support the continued success of our local businesses.

The City of Onkaparinga is taking a significant step towards shaping the future of our local economy by developing a comprehensive Economic Growth & Tourism Strategic Plan 2025-30. This initiative is designed to capitalise on our city’s unique strengths while addressing economic challenges to foster sustainable economic growth and prosperity.

The new plan will be closely aligned with the community’s vision of ‘strong local economies’ and the following goals:

• Drive opportunities to enable business success, resilience, and growth, and improving local employment options.
• Support an economic environment that fosters diversity and innovation, attracting businesses and investment to the region.
• Increase visitor spend with a focus on overnight stays.
• Increase local shopping and buying.

Our city is home to over 10,000 businesses and a workforce of over 90,000 residents, contributing to a thriving $6.61 billion economy. Many of these businesses are family-owned, providing local employment, and supporting our communities. However, despite these advantages, we face ongoing challenges such as higher-than-average unemployment rates, low household income levels and increasing housing costs, which impact the overall well-being of our residents.

In response, the City of Onkaparinga is developing a long-term strategic plan that will guide economic growth and tourism into the future. This plan will provide a blueprint for creating a vibrant local economy, attracting investment, and promoting tourism. It is aimed at improving the lives of our residents and supporting the success of local businesses, ensuring that our community continues to thrive.

In light of the impacts of COVID-19 and the evolving needs of our businesses and community, we are taking a fresh approach to economic planning. While a draft Economic Growth & Investment Strategy 2020-24 was initially developed, the challenges brought about by the pandemic highlighted the need for a more dynamic and responsive plan. As a result, we implemented an interim Business Recovery Action Plan, focusing on short-term opportunities, which will conclude in December 2024.

Now, we are building on these efforts by developing the Economic Growth & Tourism Strategic Plan 2025-30. This plan will be informed by the outcomes of the interim Business Recovery Action Plan and the council’s Tourism Strategic Plan 2019-23. We also recognise the importance of engaging with all stakeholders, including businesses, residents, industry leaders, and internal stakeholders, to develop a plan that is robust, inclusive, and aligned with the needs of our community.