Draft Economic Growth Plan
Building a vibrant community and prosperous economy through proactive leadership, shaping growth, delivering and maintaining infrastructure and valuing our surroundings.
386km2 Area 27
Suburbs 4.76
Persons Per HectareAverage Density (2020)
While the Shire has capacity for new jobs in Castle Hill, Rouse Hill, Norwest and other employment precincts, we are focused on better matching the available jobs with the needs and skills of people who live here.
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Baulkham Hills North Rocks West Pennant Hills Sackville North Lower Portland Leetsvale Wisemans Ferry Beaumont Hills North Kellyville Rouse Hill Box Hill Nelson Annangrove Kenthurst Middle Dural Glenorie Cattai South Maroota Maroota Maraylya Castle Hill Bella Vista Norwest Kellyville Glenhaven Dural Gables The Hills Shire Winston Hills
The Hills Shire is experiencing an intense period of change and is a key player in the growth of Greater Sydney.
The Hills Shire is experiencing an intense period of change and is a key player in the growth of Greater Sydney. This significant growth is transforming the way we think, plan and act. Council understands the transformation that is underway and is planning for the opportunities this change will bring to ensure an excellent quality of life for the community. The purpose of the Plan is to advance the Shire’s identity and reputation as a business destination.
The Shire’s economy is aligned to industries such as retail trade, healthcare, education and construction. It is important that over the next 20 years we reduce our reliance on population serving industries and focus on high value-adding industries, exports and innovation that can take advantage of our skilled and educated residents.
The Economic Growth Plan provides a clear direction for economic development within the Shire and sets out actions to progress this vision. It has been developed with insights from local businesses, chamber of commerce and industry associations.
Our objectives are to:
• Be investment ready.
• Revitalise employment centres.
• Preserve employment lands.
• Foster innovation and diversification of industry.
• Increase economic resilience.
• Advocate for, and partner with, our business community.
At a strategic level, insight is provided into the current and emerging conditions as well as the strategic opportunities and risks that are shaping the local economy. At an operational level, Council’s role in economic development is defined, including how Council can work to improve economic prosperity for residents, businesses and workers.
We want to continue the success story and growth trajectory of The Hills over the next decade, by harnessing the economic benefits associated with this growth, attracting new jobs and business activity to serve the local population and strengthening the role of The Hills Shire as a place of productive and diverse employment.
The Plan identifies opportunities to attract new investment and create jobs aligned to our local labour force, while building on the many successful businesses that already call our Shire home.
The development of the Plan evolved during a historical event, the COVID-19 Pandemic, which will change many aspects of our lives and lifestyles. The Pandemic has highlighted the need to have a strong and resilient local economy that has the capacity to remain diverse, flexible and offer opportunities to work closer to home and in vibrant locations with high levels of amenity.
The goal is not simply to grow the local economy, but to transform it as a recognised powerhouse for investment and the growth and success of businesses.
Our Goals by 2041 include:
• 56,000 New Jobs;
• $24 Billion Economy; and
• 42% of Working Residents Live and Work Locally.
3 The Hills Shire Council Draft Economic Growth Plan
Overview
Economic Snapshot
The Hills Shire is a dynamic and well-resourced location in the north-west of Sydney. It has a large quantity of rural land that provides a distinct landscaped backdrop to the expanding urban area in Sydney’s North West. We are part of the Metropolitan Area, approximately 30km from the CBD at our nearest point and connected to Sydney via a Metro rail and the M2 & M7 corridor. Approximately 70% of the land area of the Hills is within the Metropolitan Rural Area, with the remaining 30% spanning urban areas of varying densities and character. For the foreseeable future, development within the Shire will be contained to this urban area.
Key Indicators
Building
4 Population 2016 162,975 2021 183,930 2041
284,292
Gross Regional Product Local Businesses Local Jobs Employed Residents
$12.68b 22,821 84,157 101,770
Non-Residential Residential $0.5B $1.0B $1.5B $2.0B $2.5B $3.0B FY12 FY13 FY14 FY15 FY16 FY19 FY20 FY21 $0 FY11 FY17 FY18 FY22
Approvals Total Value of Building Approvals (FY11-22)
5 The Hills Shire Council Draft Economic Growth Plan Top 5 Employment by Industry Sector 2020/21 The Hills % Greater Sydney % Retail Trade 15,009 17.8% 9.2% Health Care & Social Assistance 12,953 15.4% 12.2% Construction 10,318 12.3% 8.5% Professional Scientific & Technical Services 8,353 9.9% 12.3% Education & Training 6,767 8.0% 8.5% Local Jobs
Top 5 Value Added by Industry Sector 2020/21 The Hills % Greater Sydney % Construction $1.62B 16.7% 8.0% Retail Trade $1.14B 11.7% 5.3% Professional Scientific & Technical Services $1.03B 10.6% 12.5% Health Care & Social Assistance $966M 9.9% 7.6% Manufacturing $700M 7.2% 6.4% Occupation Top 5 Occupation of Resident Workers 2021 The Hills % Greater Sydney % Professional 32.3% 29.0% Managers 18.7% 15.0% Clerical & Administration Workers 14.8% 13.6% Technicians and Trades Workers 9.4% 10.4% Sales Workers 7.9% 7.7%
Value Added ($M)
Employment
Where 84,157 workers come from
Where 101,770 residents work
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Locations
Cumberland 2.8% Parramatta 6.8% Blacktown 19.5% Hornsby 4.9% Penrith 3.2% Hawkesbury 3.3% The Hills 42.6% Cumberland 2.6% Blacktown 8.2% Ryde 5.3% Sydney 14.6% The Hills 31.2% Parramatta 10.1% Hornsby 4.4%
31.2%
Of
The
Have
in
area but work outside
7 The Hills Shire Council Draft Economic Growth Plan Employment Location of Resident Workers 2020/21 Place of Work Top 5 Employment Locations Outside of The Hills Shire for Resident Workers Sydney 14.6% Parramatta 10.1% Blacktown 8.2% Ryde 5.3% Hornsby 4.4% Employment Areas
no fixed
of
place
work
3.5% Hills Shire’s
resident workers were employed locally
Live Profile.id
the
65.3% Source:
Key Employment Locations
The majority of our local jobs are located in the urban parts of the Shire, where there are several defined employment areas and centres catering for different types of businesses. These employment locations are in different stages of evolution and have substantial capacity to accommodate a range of new business opportunities, driven by our population growth. Opportunities also exist outside of the centres and precincts, dispersed throughout The Shire.
Key Employment and Residential Growth Areas
LGA Boundary
Urban Growth Boundary
Box Hill Business Park
Annangrove Road Employment Area
Rouse Hill Strategic Centre
Norwest Strategic Centre
Norwest Service
Norwest Central
Norwest Innovation
Castle Hill Strategic Centre
Winston Hills Employment Area
Baulkham Hills Town Centre
Metro Station
Metro Line
Agribusiness Cluster Zone
Housing Development in the North West Growth Areas
Outer Sydney Orbital
8
BoundaryRd GlenhavenRd nrehtroN dlO Windsor Rd
Pages 10-13 of this brochure provide an overview of the Strategic Direction set out within the draft Economic Growth Plan. This is focused on four key outcomes - Place, Business, People and Partnership - each with a range of strategies and initiatives to be pursued. For further detail on these refer to Section 10 and 11 of the Draft Economic Growth Plan
9 The Hills Shire Council Draft Economic Growth Plan
Outcome
A Shire that attracts new business, development and visitors
Description
Investment attraction is an important element of Council’s objective to generate sufficient jobs to match the forecasted population growth. The investment attraction process includes a range of activities to promote and market investment opportunities in a broad and/or targeted fashion. It also includes facilitating investment outcomes once a project is identified.
The overall process depends on maintaining a wide variety of relationships and working with a range of partners. Attracting investment provides a significant economic stimulus, as new businesses in the community provide new jobs, and can also bring in new technology, encourage innovation, build depth within a cluster and stimulate additional investment and job creation through supply chains and diverse employment options.
Strategies
1. Positioning and promoting the Hills Shire as a destination for business, investment and visitors.
2. Develop a suite of information and tools that will facilitate decision making for investment in the Hills Shire.
3. Consider planning outcomes to facilitate business development and accommodation.
4. Establish a whole of Council approach to support business attraction.
5. Pursue opportunities with government, institutional and industry partners in key industry sectors of professional services, education, medical, hospitality and business start-ups.
Key Initiatives
A. Pursue the four identified key industry sectors and their supply chains to facilitate business investment into the region.
B. Position the Region as a destination for business, investment and visitors through a business marketing campaign.
C. Develop a suite of information and tools that will facilitate decision making for investment.
D. Survey lead firms to identify the factors affecting their operation, impediments to relocation or investment in The Hills and their importance to the local economy's supply chain.
10
Place
Business
Outcome
A Shire that grows local businesses
Description
Supporting individual industries requires a range of activities, with some businesses benefiting from educational and informative workshops, and others benefiting more from infrastructure development.
In most advanced economies like Australia, 60%-80% of all new jobs and investment comes from growth in existing businesses. As such, it is important to support local businesses and seek to assist them to grow, creating new jobs and future investment.
Strategies
6. Facilitate and promote opportunities for business engagement, knowledge sharing and networking amongst businesses of varying sizes in The Hills.
7. Build Council’s relationship with the business community and maintain an ongoing understanding of the needs of business.
8. Implement a program of communication to disseminate information about support and best practice.
9. Deliver and promote a program of business development and training events as well as initiatives to enhance the operation and growth potential of local business.
10. Deliver specialised program support for professional services, education, medical, hospitality and business start-ups.
11. Encourage and support collaboration between industries and business associations.
12. Facilitate the connection of procurement opportunities for local businesses that encourage the use of local services and suppliers.
Key Initiatives
E. Facilitate the connection of procurement opportunities for local businesses and encourage the use of local services and suppliers.
F. Deliver a specialised education support program for start-ups and small businesses.
G. Develop a suite of information and tools that will facilitate decision making for our local businesses.
H. Promote business excellence and success stories through a business spotlight program.
I. Support business retention and expansion through a business engagement program.
11 The Hills Shire Council Draft Economic Growth Plan
People
Outcome
A Shire that invests in its people
Description
Investing in people as a strategy for economic development is to focus on our Shire's workforce and their skill development. This requires Council to work with a variety of partners including local universities, local vocational training providers and other educational providers including high schools. Through engagement with industry and industry associations, Council can start to bridge the gap between the local skills that are required and the local skills that exist in the workforce.
Additionally, Council can play a key role in attracting new workers through investments into community infrastructure and other initiatives that support the liveability of the area and make it a desirible place to live. Council can also support local businesses that are trying to recruit skilled workers from other areas through provision of information packages, digital media resources and other promotional materials that reinforce the strong sense of lifestyle and amenity that local residents and workers enjoy.
Strategies
13. Promote the Hills as a destination for additional education and training services to build capacity in the Hills workforce and promote industry development with a focus on addressing the professional skills gaps.
14. Pursue the delivery of programs, initiatives, information and resources that improve access to local employment opportunities with a focus on migrants and youth.
15. Work with schools, tertiary education providers and business groups to understand and develop career pathways across key industries.
Key Initiatives
J. Support the delivery of a capacity building program with a focus on addressing the skills gaps in priority industry sectors.
K. Support improved access to local employment opportunities with a focus on priority industry and youth.
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Partnership
Outcome
A Shire that demonstrates leadership through collaboration and advocacy
Description
Partnership is about advocacy and leadership. This involves engaging with State and Commonwealth Governments to encourage investment in new infrastructure and the public realm, as a significant catalyst for future economic development. This should include preparing business case material that supports investment decisions, as well as meeting with various State and Commonwealth Ministers and senior officers.
Council’s funding capacity makes it difficult to undertake major infrastructure projects in its own right without additional funding from the State and/or Commonwealth Government. However, as the local government authority, Council has a significant role to play in advocating for the local community, businesses and economy regarding future infrastructure. This expectation was confirmed through consultation and engagement with stakeholders and business.
Stakeholders felt strongly that both State and Commonwealth Governments should invest more directly into infrastructure in The Hills Shire, given the substantial economic contribution that the region makes to both the State and Nation. There is no other organisation that represents the entire community in a similar way to Council, so its leadership role and partnerships with other levels of Government are critical.
Strategies
16. Continue to work with regional, state and federal organisations as well as neighbouring Councils to identify, encourage and advocate for investment and development in the Region.
17. Facilitate industry groups, membership bodies and associations to deliver key priority areas, that suit their capacity, for strategic purposes and outcomes for The Hills Shire.
18. Foster a culture of collaboration and partnership between Council’s departments and the private and public sector.
Key Initiatives
L. Demonstrate strong leadership and collaboration with government, industry and community to encourage and advocate for investment, funding and development.
M. Facilitate key industry groups, membership bodies and associations to deliver key priority areas, that suit their capacity, for strategic purposes and outcomes for The Hills Shire.
N. Foster a culture of collaboration and partnership within Council’s departments and with the private and public sector.
13 The Hills Shire Council Draft Economic Growth Plan
Approach To Date And Next Steps
2020
Hills Future 2036 Local Strategic Planning Statement Made
Investigations and Technical Studies
Precinct Planning Work
Underway
2021
Complete Draft Economic Growth Plan
2022
Consultation
Preparation
Public & Authority
Consultation
Report to Council (Post Exhibition)
Finalisation of Economic Growth Plan
2023
We are here
Report to Council (Pre-Consultation)
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Consultation and Engagement
The Draft Economic Growth Plan is currently on exhibition until Monday 31 July 2023. Draft Precinct Plans for the Norwest, Castle Hill and Rouse Hill Strategic Centres are also being exhibited concurrently. You are invited to have your say on the Plans throughout this period. Council has planned a range of consultation activities, including drop-in sessions, independently facilitated workshops and a dedicated hotline. Council’s Economic Development Team will also be available at Council’s Administration Centre to discuss these plans throughout the entire exhibition period between 8.30am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. You may wish to attend the following sessions:
Plan Drop-In Session
Economic Growth Plan
Tuesday 23 May 2023 (9.30am – 1pm)
Location: Vinegar Hill Memorial Library
Thursday 25 May 2023 (5pm – 8pm)
Location: Council Administration Centre
Tuesday 13 June 2023 (12pm – 4pm)
Location: Castle Hill Library
Norwest Precinct Plan
Rouse Hill Precinct Plan
Tuesday 23 May 2023 (9.30am – 1pm)
Thursday 25 May 2023 (5pm – 8pm)
Friday 16 June 2023 (12pm – 4pm)
Location: Council Administration Centre
Tuesday 23 May 2023 (9.30am – 1pm)
Tuesday 13 June 2023 (12pm – 4pm)
Thursday 15 June 2023 (5pm - 8pm)
Location: Vinegar Hill Memorial Library
Castle Hill Precinct Plan
Thursday 1 June 2023 (5pm – 7.30pm)
Tuesday 13 June 2023 (12pm – 4pm)
Thursday 29 June 2023 (9.30am-1pm)
Location: Castle Hill Library
Facilitated Workshop*
Thursday 29 June 2023 (7pm – 9pm)
Location: Council Administration Centre
Thursday 1 June 2023 (7pm – 9pm)
Location: Council Administration Centre
Thursday 6 July 2023 (7pm – 9pm)
Location: Rex Money Room - Vinegar Hill Memorial Community Centre
Thursday 15 June 2023 (7pm – 9pm)
Location: Rebellion Room - Pioneer Theatre, Castle Hill
*Note: Please RSVP to the Workshops on Council’s Website on the ‘Have Your Say’ page or by contacting the Forward Planning or Economic Development Team on 9843 0597.
Contact Us
Hotline 9843 0597
Visit Us
Council’s Administration Centre 3 Columbia Court Norwest NSW 2153
View the Exhibition Material and Have Your Say
www.thehills.nsw.gov.au/Contact-Us/Have-Your-Say
15 The Hills Shire Council Draft Economic Growth Plan
16 Contact The Hills Shire Council 3 Columbia Court Norwest NSW 2153 ABN 25 034 494 656 Phone +61 2 9843 0555 www.thehills.nsw.gov.au
