*** BIG IDEA ***
DIVERSIFICATION
My Big Idea for East Gippsland is: Diversification.
The devastation from putting (nearly) “all of our eggs” into the timber industry “basket” has taught at least some of us big lessons.
Be strategic, not just tactical. Think medium and long-term, not just short-term. Consider the macro-economic future trends. Exploit any natural advantages you may hold.
And never, ever, become a “one-industry-town”. The ups and downs are too severe. You’re left without a “Plan B”. You’re inevitably leaving yourself open to some future “killer punch”.
Since the fires and timber ban, it’s been disheartening to see so many locals obsess on tourism, tourism, tourism. Besides the dangers of over-reliance on one industry, tourism has other risks.
– It’s highly seasonal. Businesses face a few brief feasts, interspersed with longer famines, every year.
– It depends on Australia’s middle class growing or maintaining, not shrinking. The increasingly wealthy minority will desire more exotic destinations. The growing number of big-city poor will gig-work or home-DIY, during their leave from work.
– It leaves East Gippsland trying to find some genuine and very appealing thing that the regions between Melbourne and here (or Sydney and here), do not have.
– It’s swimming against the tide, with the near-future affluent age-demographic being more attracted to screen experiences than to outside-world experiences.
Just one example of a market to complement tourism, agriculture, etc. is residences for retirees and telecommuters (on-line professionals).
– East Gippsland is a great place to live in natural beauty and cleanliness, with a genuine sense of community and neighbourliness.
– While most of Australia faces severe water restrictions, this region has enviable rainfall, multiple rivers and a lush beautiful countryside.
– Our property prices are very low, especially compared to major metropolitan areas.
– We’re already experiencing a solid level of inward migration (without marketing efforts) from the bloated cities.
– Newcomers are far enough from the cities not to be stuck with babysitting the grandchildren, but close enough to be visited every school holiday.
– Our towns could be marketed with “Why rent in a retirement village, when you can own in a real village?”
– Our target market would be spending their savings, with a wider range of retailers, evenly throughout the year, while not competing for local jobs.
– It would generate jobs in construction, renovation, gardening, home assistance, personal care and healthcare for decades to come.
– With increasing threats to Australia’s climate and international security, this region “ticks all the boxes” for the “sane prepper” and “self sufficiency” mindset.
There are, no doubt, other industries or markets that could pass a strategic analysis for our economy. Soon after the fires, Orbost (for instance) had an expert panel of “turnaround economists” conduct a SWOT analysis of the town, and generate a set of recommendations.
TOURISM OPPORTUNITIES
Perhaps not a ‘Big Idea’ as such but more of a tourism opportunity.
We all know that East Gippsland is a tourism magnet in the summer months when everyone comes to enjoy our beaches and lakes. Winter is a different story and great effort is being made to promote new events to attract people in the colder months (eg. East Gippsland Winter Festival).
What we need are more permanent attractions that we can steer visitors toward. What we need is something unique that can be a true drawcard for tourists. By unique, I’m talking about something other than restaurants, nature walks, lakes tours and bush drives.
We often talk about the High Country, the fresh air and endless views of East Gippsland. We are also promoting the amazing night sky through the shire’s ‘Gippsland Stargazing’ initiative. Our clear skies are stunning, if only we could encourage visitors to look skyward.
How about we consider investing in a new public observatory (and planetarium) in the area? How about we invest some time and thought into how we would fund such a concept, whether it’s sustainable, and how it is managed?
How exciting would it be to offer a completely new attraction in East Gippsland? Before we dismiss the idea as too costly let’s consider its merit.
The observatory would benefit East Gippsland by offering:
– Visitors a unique night time experience that they can’t get in the city
– Educational opportunities for local and visiting schools
– An opportunity for smaller regional centres to improve their tourism offering (Bruthen, Nowa Nowa, Lindenow, Nicholson)
– Additional choices for inclement weather alternatives
– Increased destination tourism
– A drawcard for a an entirely new tourism sector beyond the traditional lakes/ocean holiday seekers
– A benefit for related tourism and retail operators.
The idea of building and operating an observatory in East Gippsland requires a detailed analysis, much more than I can offer in these few words. This is just an idea – sowing the seed as they say. Perhaps some good minds might see the true benefit and carry it further.
I can only see the upside.
