- Role of Local Government
- Role of Community
- Table One: Economic Development Initiatives in Southland
- Role of Central Government
4. Organisations Fostering Economic Development in the Southland District
The initiatives to boost economic development and employment in Southland have come from a variety of sources: individuals, local communities, the District Council and central government agencies. These individuals and organisations recognised that the restructuring of the 1980s and the continuing loss of population were undermining the basis of the Southland community, and that without positive economic initiatives to reverse this trend, the district would continue on a downward spiral.
The last ten years have been characterised by strong local government and limited central government support of economic development. The Community Trust has played a substitution role in the funding of some economic development initiatives.
Role of Local Government
A key feature has been the strong and consistent leadership role of the Southland District Council (SDC). The SDC has achieved community involvement through twelve Community Boards and sixteen Community Development Area Committees. The community boards are responsible for the majority of their area's budget and have more autonomy than the community boards of other territorial authorities.
The Council plays an advocacy role, in promoting economic initiatives and in providing suitable infrastructure for economic development. The Council's economic development unit supports local initiatives and has provided advice and facilitation for developments such as Crops for Southland and Topoclimate South. The SDC employs eight people looking at economic development, crops and tourism.
Role of Community
Most initiatives have needed a local champion. New projects require a person who feels passionately about an idea and who is willing to donate their time and skills to get the initiative off the ground. These champions need support and this has often come from the District Council.
Successful projects also need input from a broad range of individuals and groups, who can bring a variety of skills to a project.
Southlanders are parochial. They care about what happens to their province and this community spirit can be harnessed for economic development (Invest South is an example).
Women in Agriculture Groups have initiated training programmes to widen the skill base of the rural population. Southland Community Trust and Invest South have identified investments in Southland that will bring employment and skills to the district.
The Community Trust of Southland is well resourced on a per capita basis and has taken on many of the funding roles that central government previously performed. The Trust's preference is to work in partnership with community, local and central government.
Table One: Economic Development Initiatives in Southland
Name |
Description |
Aim |
Who was Involved |
Results |
Evaluation |
|||
| Southland District Council (SDC) | District Council | To support sustainable economic development, halt population decline and build population to 40,000 | SDC | Support for Tourism Southland, Branding of Southland, Crops for Southland, Community and Economic Development | Many economic development projects have been started because of SDC involvement. Planning has facilitated a more cohesive result. SDC has a proven track record in economic development | |||
| Crops for Southland | Organisation looking at alternative crops for southern South Island | Increased profit, and employment for Southland. 5,000 extra jobs by 2010 | SDC, CEG, Community Trust | Introduced existing farmers and new investors to crops that are suitable to Southland conditions | The scheme has identified a range of high value crops that are suitable for areas within Southland. | |||
| New Crops Centre | To trial, demonstrate and transfer knowledge about new crops | Adoption of new crops that will increase prosperity | SDC, CFS, ICC, Southern Institute of Technology, Community Trust | Many trials set up since 1999 | Six hundred visitors since establishment | |||
| Enterprise Connections | Access to business database and expertise set up December 1999 | Link to assessing and establishing new opportunities, markets, joint venture and clusters, advice and facilitating training | SDC, ICC Community Trust and Southern Institute of Technology | Cluster opportunities identified in forestry, bulbs, film, classic cars, industrial design. | Detailed economic profiles being produced. | |||
| Topoclimate South | Provision of accurate soil and climate information. A spin off from Crops for Southland | Improve quality of land management decisions | SDC, farmers, growers, scientists, regional and local authorities, Community Trust | 850,000 ha are planned to be mapped. In Southland for soils and climate data | When completed 85% of farmers surveyed would use the information. | |||
| Regional Identity Trust | Promotional group for Southland | To change Southlanders' attitudes about their province and improve the external perception of the region | Local authorities and Industry Community Trust | Spirit of the Nation commercials, school visits, and product branding | A pre-programme survey was undertaken on the awareness of Southland. Most people did not know what Southland has to offer. | |||
| Name | Description | Aim | Who was Involved | Results | Evaluation | |||
| Concept Planning and Community Involvement | Identification and initiation of ideas | Provide employment opportunities | Enterprise Development Officers, SDC Community Development Officers, SDC Promotions Officers, SDC | Concept plans. Community involvement in planning through to implementation | The appointment of these officers has encouraged communities to examine the options for their areas and to undertake work on business and community initiatives | |||
| Tourism Southland | Provide high quality material (brochures and guides) on Southland and its attractions | Promote Southland in New Zealand and overseas | Co-operative venture with Gore district and Invercargill City Community Trust and the Tourism industry | The programme has generated greater awareness of the Southland region | The feedback has shown that the programme is changing the attitude of individuals and companies to Southland. A more positive attitude is attracting increased numbers of visitors | |||
| Promotion Groups (21 in Southland) | Identify potential local attractions | Examine and develop possible development initiatives, primarily tourist projects | Southland District Council, local communities, Southland District Promotion Fund | Establishment of local initiatives in areas such as festivals and events | Specific local attractions identified | |||
| Tuatapere Hump Track Borland Lodge | Tourism enterprises in western Southland | Tourism attractions that will provide income and employment | Local Community CEGs SDC, Community Trust | Planning for the Track is near completion | $2.8 million will be spent developing the track | |||
| Destination Fiordland | Promotion of activities in Fiordland | Develop awareness of the tourist attractions in Fiordland | Southland District Council, Fiordland Promotions, Community Trust | The programme is attracting additional tourists, as they become aware of the facilities in the area | There has been a positive response to the initiatives launched by the group | |||
| Community Trust of Southland | Trust set up after the sale of Southland Savings Bank. Has $200m invested | Return money to the Southland community | Distribute $8 to 10 million per year. A major funder of Topoclimate South | Southland's Community Trust is well resourced and currently gives approximately 40% of its money to rural projects | ||||
| Women in Agriculture and REAP | Formal and non formal networks of rural women | To provide community based training and education | Local Community and REAP, Rural Women of New Zealand Community Trust | Many WAG (Women in Agriculture) Days have been held and a newsletter produced | Feedback and on going support of WAG Days has always been extremely positive. Skills developed have enabled women to achieve personal, business and community goals | |||
Role of Central Government
The contribution of central government to these initiatives has been limited, both in terms of personnel and financial resources. The Government's major input has been through the Community Employment Group (CEG). The CEG has assisted with funding for projects such as Cool Climate Crops and funded the salary of the first Crops for Southland officer.
The Department of Internal Affairs undertook a number of studies in the early 1990s on the least resourced sectors of the Southland community and developed programmes to assist these groups into employment. These assistance programmes were phased out by 1995.
MAF facilitated a Southland Rural Strategy Committee, which developed ideas, but little resulted from the group and it disbanded in the early 1990s. Focus Southland is the group that has developed as a forum for regional strategies.
The range of initiatives launched by these and other groups to foster development in the Southland district are listed in the following table. A number of these initiatives date from the 1980s, while others are more recent in origin.
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