Professor Edward J Blakely

Chair of Urban and Regional PlanningDirector, Planning Research Centre

The University of Sydney

Sea change in Australia

Source: Murphy, P. 2004

A typology of coastal communities

Typology Description Coastal Communities

Coastal CommutersSuburbanised satellite communities in peri metropolitan locations

Gosford, Wyong, Wanneroo

Coastal GetawaysSmall to medium coastal towns within 3 hours drive of a capital city

Alexandrina, Busselton, Surf Coast, Victor Harbor, Yankalilla

Coastal CitiesSubstantial urban conurbations beyond the State capitals

Maroochy, Wollongong

Coastal Lifestyle DestinationsPredominantly tourism and leisure communities

Byron, Eurobodalla, Great Lakes, Clarence Valley

Coastal HamletsSmall, remote coastal communities often surrounded by protected natural areas

Augusta-Margaret River

Challenges for coastal communities

Traditional resource based or productive sectors: agriculture, fisheries and forestry

Shift from traditional economic activities towards service oriented industries: tourism, retail

Demographic changes: aging population & come/go of non-elderly population

Infrastructure, housing, service and amenity to cater for socio-demo changes

Social equity and environmental sensitivity

Planning strategy, policy and governance response

Planning for the Workstyle Communitiesa) Sacred Placesb) Community Characterc) Community Socio-economic Diversityd) Community Boundarye) Creative Work Centres

Civic Culture as a Economic ResourceEvolution of Tourist Based to Human

Economy BaseNew Import –Export LexiconCivic Milieu as an Economic ResourceDeveloping Civic EconomyThe Global Local Features of the New

Paradigm

Changing Cultural Resources

2. Made to be traditional looking community

a) Tradition and Preservation Planningb) Tourismc) Community Design Elementd) Community History and artefacts as attractorse) Community Education

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Average Population Location Quotients (Relative to National Average)

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Established/Matured LGAs

Globally Exposed LGAs

Declining LGAsTransitional LGAs

Enhanced Scatter Plot Approach to Group Sea Change LGAs in Australia

Enhanced scatter plot method

Population Change by Age Cohort (2001-2006 Census)

Wyong community survey: Reasons for leaving previous community

Wyong community survey: Reasons for moving to Wyong

Wyong community survey: community opinions on Wyong’s economic future

The Economic Community

Economy Community

ECONOMY / TOURISM

Lack of economic diversity – growth in tourism and residential development associated with part time, temporary or seasonal positions in service industries. Employment in traditional productive industries like agriculture, fishery and forestry and manufacturing sectors is declining.

Economic development strategy aims to protect and support existing businesses and develop and attract diverse range of activities by building on and enhancing local assets and resources. Where possible, compatible activities are linked, providing opportunities for value adding, more stable annual (as opposed to seasonal) employment, and skills development. Local firms establish connections to regional, national, and international markets.

Regional strategy for economic developmentRegional / local branding based on environmental credentialsEconomic performance indicators

Re-Use of Existing Spaces with Non Profit

Economy and tourism: Strategic responses

Business incentive / incubation:Encouraging businesses to locate

within local area Assistance with grantsBusiness incubation centresFacilitate networks / clustersBusiness trainingAssist new local graduates

3. Capacity Planninga) Community Master Settlement Planb) Infrastructure Planningc) Environmental Planningd) Zoninge) Economic Development and Community Development

Corporationsf) Regional Governance Models

Human Capital Techno-Infrastructure Nodes &Catalyst

Economy and tourism: Strategic responsesRegional economic development

strategiesUse quality of life asset to attract

skilled workers, entrepreneurs & business leaders

Seek industries that offer high wages & skilled positions

4. Techno-communitya) Adding Technology to new

housingb) Retrofitting technology to

homesc) Community Creativity as

new economic development opportunity

University as Collaborative Builder

University to University relations

University to key constituents as verifier

University to Civic Leaders as unbiased actor

University to government as honest broker

Preparing for the Next Waves: State and Regional Responses

Do leaders understand the opportunity? What must we do to ensure it happens

here? What are the requirements? How can local people and communities

benefit? Can we avoid some of the pitfalls of past

waves?