Economic sustainability

Every few years new buzz words come into being. We are now in the era of the buzz phrase "economic sustainability". Looking up web references to it we come across the words income, expenses and profits. Some define economic sustainability as "economic development with minimal environmental degradation", or "equitable development that is environmentally and socially sound". Put simply, economic sustainability means operating a business in a manner that allows it to stay in business over time. I will work hard to make sure the Muswellbrook Shire Council fosters diversity, growth, development and creative opportunities for business, industry, tourism and agriculture. To have sustainable enterprises our Council needs to:

• actively promote increasing and innovative employment and education opportunities for the existing and future residents of our Shire. For example, our TAFE College needs to expand the courses run in our Shire rather than reducing courses.
  
• support our Chamber of Commerce in all it does to support local businesses, so that existing businesses stay in business, and new ones are attracted to our Shire to compliment the existing ones.
• undertake a review of retail services to identify business needs and to match this with population trends.
• prepare detailed urban design plans for all business centres in consultation with local businesses and the wider community.
• investigate possible recurrent sources of funding for business centre revitalisation works, events and marketing.
• undertake a review of permissible business developments in various zones within Muswellbrook Shire towns (for example, bulky goods in industrial zones, suitable floor space for neighbourhood shopping, general stores, food outlets/cafes, and so on), to assist in creating cohesive communities in each local area.
• establish a register of home-based businesses
  
• develop an information package and forum on the planning rules and assistance available for home bases businesses.
• support consolidation of land uses within existing retail precincts.

It is wrong for thinking to be restricted to just economic sustainability matters. We should also consider community sustainability, social sustainability, and spiritual sustainability. There is more to life than income, profits and riches.