The Beagle Editor, The ESC has recently advertised a new position, Manager, Economic Development and Place Activation. $114K pa. Plus vehicle. The appointee’s job is to revitalise our depressed town centres by filling empty shops, driving people to town centres, and creating a night economy. Manager Economic Development and Place Activation Job No: ESC329 Location: Moruya
The Eurobodalla Shire Council has set itself an exciting and evidence-based strategic direction to grow its economy and drive recovery post the devastating fire season. An exciting part of this economic growth agenda is activation of our town centres by identifying key investment opportunities and renewing retail and visitor precincts. Total remuneration for the role is in the range $99,764.99 to $114,016.41 gross per annum consisting of:
$91,109.58 to $104,124.58 base salary,
$8,655.41 to $9,891.83 superannuation (at 9.5%)
A fully maintained leaseback vehicle including private use is available for this position. In my lifetime l have seen many trends, which include shopping malls partially replacing strip shops, shopping malls in trouble, retail shops moving into industrial areas, the local hamlet grocer disappearing replaced by a light meals coffee shop. These and other examples are all determined by the market, a “manager” in a council office would have little or no impact other than to tell deaf ears not to shop online. About seven or eight years ago the ESC had all the answers in following the Newcastle model with rent free craft shops at the landlords expense. We heard all about this wonderful idea but nothing about its failure. This new tenured appointment costing millions of dollars into the future is another example of what happens when all responsibility is transferred from councillors to staff. Market forces, the drive and initiative of the private sector, and gravity will determine the future of this shire, not position papers prepared by an ever expanding bureaucracy. Another small step towards pressure on the general fund and another SRV. Owen Cartledge
