Planning Institute of Australia Economic Development Chapter. National Charter

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1 Planning Institute of Australia Economic Development Chapter National Charter These guidelines are an overview of the PIA Economic Development Chapter (PIA EDC) covering the definition of the discipline, the role of the economic development professional, the purpose, action and values of the PIA Economic Development Chapter, the structure and membership of the chapter. Economic Development A Definition Economic development enhances the productive capacity (land, labour, capital, technology and built infrastructure) of a local, regional, state and national economy so that marketable goods and services can be planned for and generated in a sustainable way. Economic development, as a process, supposes that legal and institutional adjustments, including planning instruments, are made to support and promote innovation and investment, so that an efficient and sustainable production and distribution system can be developed for goods and services. Planning and Economic Development The basic principle of economic development is to use the potential of human and physical resources to create new employment opportunities and to stimulate economic activities to increase the wealth of the community in a sustainable manner. When economic development is considered in a planning context it can focus on all or some of the following areas: Understanding the structure of the local, regional and national economy; Understanding land economics and what drives investment decisions; Facilitating urban renewal through appropriate planning controls and incentives; Leveraging off major infrastructure investment (eg transport, health, education); Leveraging off local investment and public domain improvements; October

2 Planning for economic development, eg provision of employment lands, town centre growth; Facilitate/promote efficient development assessment processes; Understand inter-relationship of local, regional and state planning instruments and the economic development benefits/impacts; and Economic planning (visioning the future along with the activity of delivering that future). Economic Development The Professional s Role Professionals involved in economic development are typically involved in some or all of the following services: 1 Research and development of economic and marketing strategies to promote the use of land, labour, capital, technology and built infrastructure; 2 Analysis of local, regional, state, national and global markets; 3 Identification of innovative and sustainable goods and services for government and business; 4 Promotion of the concept and principles of triple bottom line and the integration of economic development issues with social, environmental and cultural planning; 5 Establish economic development principles in the formation of state, regional and local environmental planning instruments; 6 Foster links between local, state and national economic development agencies where joint policy development and action is required; 7 Represent local, regional, state or national economic development agencies; 8 Advocate on behalf of capital investors, business and local communities to determine the best local, regional or state economy in which to establish; 9 Intervention, on behalf of business, to ensure land, technology and built infrastructure can be efficiently developed to ensure economic viability; and 10 Help businesses establish in local and regional centres. In the instance of a planner being involved in economic development, that professional may be involved in any of the areas listed above, as well as in some or all of the following: Analysis and consideration of the economic impact spatial policies will have on local, regional, state or national economy; Facilitate effective development consent processes which in turn creates effective economic performance; Promote economic development within spatial planning instruments; Represent the community to ensure land and built infrastructure is developed efficiently and in an economically viable and sustainable manner; and Represent a local, regional or state agency at relevant economic forums. October

3 Economic Development is measured in terms of the ability of a local, regional or state economy to provide quality employment, and investment opportunities in a manner that economically is environmentally and socially sustainable. Planning Institute of Australia Economic Development Chapter Values In keeping with other Chapters of the Planning Institute of Australia the Economic Development Chapter abides by the principles of accountability, open and honest communication and transparency in all of its interactions. Planning Institute of Australia Economic Development Chapter Purpose The purpose of the Planning Institute of Australia Economic Development Chapter (PIA EDC) is to: Promote the integration of economic research and strategies into all planning considerations including spatial plans and development applications; Interface between planning and the business community to improve the understanding of the role of planners in planning for economic development; Inform planners and other professionals about the important role economic development professionals can have in urban and regional planning; Promote within the general community the importance of sustainable economic development and the importance of those professionals working within the economic development discipline; Establish and promote the links between economic development and social, environmental, cultural and sustainable planning principles; Support the integration of economic development professionals within the broader range of planning professionals; Educate planners on economic development principles and the importance and relevance of these principles to planning (through both professional development and continuing professional development courses); and Educate professionals involved in economic development of the broader planning principles especially those that are important to their discipline. Planning Institute of Australia Economic Development Chapter Action PIA EDC will undertake the following actions to deliver the above Chapter purpose: Promote discussion on the benefits of economic development within planning at local, regional, state and national levels; Thought leadership seminars on the importance of economic development within the broader planning discipline; Establish think tank white papers focusing on the principles of economic development and the importance to the broader planning discipline; Clear definition of economic development principles and the promotion of these October

4 principles as an integral part of the broader planning policy formulation; Support and encourage local, regional and state leadership (at business and government level) in the promotion of economic development; Identification of the importance of entrepreneurship and risk taking at local, regional and state level to enable economic development; Identify the structure of government agencies within each state and identify the constraints, gaps, opportunities and best practice models for fostering sustainable economic development; Foster links between economic development professionals and strategic policy makers, bilateral business chambers and business in general; Interface with the PIA Education Committee to advise on economic development education requirements of planners; Deliver an annual paper and presentation to the divisional PIA continuing professional development seminar series on the topic of economic development; and Each state division to establish an annual program of activities for the chapter that will fulfill the purpose of the Economic Development Chapter (National). Planning Institute of Australia Economic Development Chapter Structure The Planning Institute of Australia is a federated organisation with a National Council and state divisions. An Economic Development Chapter is to be established in each state division with a single representative from the Economic Development Chapter holding a position at the National Council level. The state divisions of PIA shall arrange for the following 1 Establish and elect an Economic Development Division Committee: ideally including members of the Special Interest Groups (Young Planners, Local Government Planners Network etc) active in the Division; 2 Each Economic Development Division Committee member to hold the position for two years; 3 The Chair of the Economic Development Division Committee to be a member of the Division Committee: 4 Require a representative from the Economic Development Division Committee to be involved in the state divisional conference, the Policy Committee, the Education Committee and any other studying committees of the State Division; 5 Require the Economic Development Division Committee to support the state professional development program seminar series; and 6 Where relevant invite comment from the Economic Development Chapter in the release of official press releases and media commentary. October

5 The National Council will: 1 Comprise delegates from the Divisions; 2 Elect a National Economic Development Convenor from the Chapter (Division) members; 3 Assess and resolve applications for membership of the PIA Economic Development Chapter; 4 Convene cross jurisdictional conferences and policy development processes; 5 Prepare and issue official press statements on cross-jurisdictional economic development issues. Planning Institute Australia Economic Development Chapter Membership PIA EDC membership will be the same as for all members of PIA (see membership Guidelines on Corporate Membership Criteria Those eligible for membership will have: 1 Either a Bachelor, Honours or Masters Degree in Economics, Land Economics or Commerce with a major in urban economics/urban and regional economic studies, or a Bachelor, Honors or Masters Degree in urban and regional planning PLUS at least 2 years professional experience in a recognised Economic Development role. OR 2 Any related Bachelor, Honours or Masters degree PLUS at least five years in a professional and relevant experience working in a recognised Economic Planning role and able to demonstrate three or more of the associated areas of core competency described under Relationship to Core Interests of the PIA. Associate Membership Criteria A professional working in a recognised Economic Development Planning role but does not meet the criteria for Corporate Membership. Student and Graduate Membership Criteria A full time or part time student that is either undertaking or has graduated from either a Bachelor, Honours or Masters Degree in Economics with a major in Urban and Regional Planning or Economic studies, and does not meet the criteria for Corporate Membership. October

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