CORPORATE STRATEGY
2023-2028
VISION
Driving economic opportunities to support the Central Highlands as a dynamic inland region of choice.
PURPOSE
We advocate for a sustainable region and economic growth by enhancing our workforce, promoting our region and supporting our businesses.
VALUES AND BEHAVIOURS
COLLABORATION
We achieve more when we work together.
> We actively seek opportunities to involve others to achieve the best results.
> We value effective partnerships with colleagues, industry, business, government and community.
CREDIBILITY
We are trustworthy, reliable and authentic.
> We continuously perform to a high standard.
> We value the reputation of CHDC, its team and Board members.
INNOVATION
We like to think outside the box.
> We challenge the status quo with open minds, focus and speed.
> We encourage thoughtful, creative and inspirational ideas.
ACCOUNTABILITY
We do what we say we will do.
> We accept full responsibility for our words, our actions and our results.
> We take pride in our work and deliver timely, quality results that benefit CHDC and the region.
RESPECT
We value and listen to each other.
> We treat people with dignity and professionalism and expect the same in return.
01. BUSINESS GROWTH
> Connect local businesses to a range of resources and support to build capability, resilience and encourage growth.
> Support local businesses to compete in a digital environment.
02. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
> Partner to attract, retain and develop a future focused, skilled workforce across the region.
> Seek opportunities to embed best practice local content into regional projects.
03. ADVOCACY AND PROMOTION
> Actively engage and influence all levels of government and key decision makers.
> Consolidate credible research, data and insights on the Central Highlands to be a primary source of information.
> Ongoing promotion of the region to live, work and visit.
04. INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT
> Develop the Central Highlands as a primary visitor destination.
> Work with the agricultural industry to realise opportunities for growth.
> Collaborate and support the resource and METS sectors.
> Support new and emerging industries including gas, renewables and innovation.
05. INVESTMENT ATTRACTION
> Market, promote and facilitate investment opportunities in the region.
> Support priority projects.
> Support the region to prepare for transition to a lower carbon future.
06. STRATEGY AND PLANNING
> Lead, monitor and report on the economic development strategy for the region.
> Monitor and contribute to relevant government, industry/business and community plans and strategies to progress the interests of the region.
07. CAPABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
> Deliver services, operations, and projects on time and within budget.
> Maintain a fit-for-purpose team and continually build their capacity.
> Increased awareness of CHDC and the work it does.
> Meet the governance requirements to operate effectively and sustainably.
FOREWORD
I am pleased to present the 2023-2028 Corporate Strategy for the Central Highlands Development Corporation (CHDC). This strategy sets out a six-year vision aimed at driving economic opportunities to support the Central Highlands as a dynamic region of choice.
At its core, the strategy offers a comprehensive roadmap, providing clear direction for CHDC and underpinning the work we do in our role as the region’s key economic and tourism development organisation.
Through this strategy, we aim to foster a capable, resilient, and thriving business ecosystem and will prioritise workforce development to cultivate a skilled and adaptable labour pool.
We are committed to advancing industry development by supporting the growth and diversification of key sectors within the region.
We will champion the interests of the Central Highlands through advocacy for key projects, infrastructure, and policies, while strategically attracting investments aligned with our economic priorities.
With this strategic framework as our guide, we are poised to lead the Central Highlands into a future defined by prosperity, innovation, and opportunity.
CR GAI SYPHER
Chair, Central Highlands Development Corporation
Councillor, Central Highlands Regional Council
ABOUT THE STRATEGY
The CHDC Corporate Strategy 2023-2028 will underscore CHDC operations and interactions with partners over the next six years, to build a strong and sustainable economy together.
The strategy aims to help facilitate the resilience, competitiveness and success of local businesses and the capacity of the region to attract investment, diversify the local economy and provide the foundations for jobs of the future.
The strategy has been framed to help realise the economic development objectives set out by the Central Highlands Economic Master Plan (2017-2047) and the Central Highlands Regional Council Corporate Plan (2022-2027).
ABOUT US
CHDC is the lead economic and tourism development agency for the Central Highlands region of Queensland, Australia.
Our region includes the communities of Arcadia Valley, Bauhinia, Blackwater, Bluff, Capella, Comet, Dingo, Duaringa, Emerald, Rolleston, Sapphire Gemfields, Springsure and Tieri.
CHDC actively partners with industry, business, government and community to drive growth, enable innovation, build capability and deliver economic outcomes.
For more than 25 years, CHDC’s rich understanding of local industry has allowed us to deliver economic insights and strategic action plans for the region.
In turn, this has contributed to building strong, capable businesses and industries that are supply-chain ready and optimised for expansion.
CHDC is governed by a sixmember board, comprising three Central Highlands Regional Council directors and three independent, skillsbased directors. The board also includes an alternate to step in if a council director is unavailable.
CR GAI SYPHER Chair
CR RACHAEL CRUWYS
Deputy Chair
CR KAREN NEWMAN
Director
GREG CHRISTENSEN
Independent Director
CIARÀN HALLINAN
Independent Director
LAURA LETTS
Independent Director
CR JOSEPH BURNS
Alternate Director
CENTRAL
76 Egerton Street, Emerald Q 4720
T 07 4982 4386
E enquiries@chdc.com.au
W chdc.com.au
GET CONNECTED Central Highlands Development Corporation (CHDC) respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Lands across the Central Highlands and pays its respect to their Elders past and present.
Our registered office is located on the Lands of the Western Kangoulu Peoples.