Junee Shire councillors pass draft economic development plan

Junee councillors have voted to adopt a draft economic plan which aims to boost investment - and jobs - in the area. Now the community gets to have its say.

Junee Shire councillors have voted to adopt a draft economic development plan which will now be put on public exhibition.

The Junee Shire Economic Development Plan aims to add 500 new jobs to the local economy by 2032, with Mayor Neil Smith stating in the council papers that for that to occur there needed to be sufficient industrial and commercial spaces for new and existing businesses to establish and grow.

“We also need to ensure people can access the training and education they need to address the needs of industry,” he stated in the report.

Cr Smith said he wanted the plan to show Junee was “open for business” and said council would work in partnership with other levels of government, business owners and the broader community to deliver on the vision for a stronger local economy.

At this week’s council meeting Adam Pratt, from NDP Economic development, presented the plan to councillors - outlining the economic investment opportunities for Junee over the next decade.

Mr Pratt said the population of Junee was expected to increase to 8000 people by 2032. He said while unemployment was currently low in the area, there was a need for more skilled workers to achieve the goals of the plan which included the jobs boost.

Economist Adam Pratt from NDP Economic development presented to council on Tuesday afternoon. Picture: Patrick Morrow

Mr Pratt said future economic growth depended not only on a skilled workforce, but on investment, and he outlined areas of opportunity for the area.

“As from our projections the Inland Rail project, Bomen Industrial Park and the Albury to Illabo rail project will create investment opportunities for Junee in the future,” he said.

“By conducting our business survey we found there is a appetite for more investment in business for Junee and by allowing more development applications, it will help attract the right investment.”

Councillors welcomed the draft plans, with Councillor David Carter stating: “It raises interesting challenges for the council in solving the issues for the future but it can be achieved.”

“I agree with the plan, the problem as we know is the housing problem and we need to allow for more light industrial development to take place to allow for us to cope with these future projects,” Mr Carter added.

Councillor Pam Halliburton said the ever increasing cost of living needed to be taken into account.

“The cost of living is currently rising. Even if we can make this work, we need to figure out a way so business and the community can be supported on this,” Ms Halliburton said.

The draft plan was passed unanimously by councillors and will now be put on public exhibition.

Also on the agenda at this week’s council meeting was the extension of alcohol-free zones which was passed successfully.

The streets that are impacted by the alcohol-free zones include: Main St from the intersection of Cox St to the intersection of Humphrys St; Peel St from Cox St to Humphrys St; Broadway from Victoria St to intersection of Seignior St; Crawley St from Junction St to the western edge of Broadway and 100m north along Junction St from the Red Cow Hotel and Dobbyn’s Street.

There also was an extension of alcohol-prohibited zones which included six public spaces including Junee Skate Park and Hobbin Park at all times. From 9pm to 11am, alcohol will also be prohibited at Endeavour Park from Seignior St to Kitchener St; at Dobbyn‘s Park adjacent to the roundabout at the intersection of Seignior St and Broadway and at The Adventure Park and associated BBQ area.

Alcohol-free zones apply to road-related public areas while alcohol-prohibited zones apply to non-road-related public places such as parks.

Junee Shire Council Director of Planning and Community Development Stacy Moses said: “Following consultation with the Junee Police, it was agreed that the current alcohol free/prohibited zones hold great benefit to the community”.

The proposed zones will be advertised, with comment from the community and relevant stakeholders welcomed over the next 30 days.

Council voted in favour of extending alcohol-free and prohibited zones.Picture: Patrick Morrow

“The areas proposed are fully supported by our local law enforcement,” Ms Moses said.

“Confiscation and ‘tip-out’ powers apply to alcohol prohibited areas and where a person does not cooperate with a request by the police in these instances, they can be charged and there are substantial fines involved.”