The Better Future Economic Forum took place at the York Leura Gardens Resort on Tuesday 29 July, hosted by Blue Mountains City Council.

Over 90 participants, from key public sector decision makers, business leaders, Federal, State and Local government, academics, arts representatives, educators and conservationists, came together to discuss the current and future directions for economic sustainability in the Blue Mountains.

Mayor, Clr Jim Angel, welcomed participants to the Better Future Economic Forum, 'It is a real pleasure to look out over the audience and see so many enthusiastic faces eager to engage in a day of discussion, debate and creative thinking about the action we need to take to improve economic development for our City.'

The program included a keynote address by internationally renowned economist, Professor Edward Blakely, presentations by Blue Mountains City Council's Economic Development Program Leader, Ms Bronwen Johnston and the Federal Member for Macquarie, Bob Debus and 5 diverse case studies.

The forum considered a number of economic initiatives such as home-based business opportunities, regional business 'hubs', developing business clusters, and attracting industry that is compatible with the World Heritage environment.

Clr Jim Angel said, 'A number of recommendations were put forward by participants at the forum, which will inform an economic development action plan for the City that aligns with our City Vision for a more sustainable Blue Mountains. Blue Mountains City Council is committed to providing more opportunities such as this forum, for the business sector to come together with relevant agencies and the different levels of government to actively participate in steering the economic future of our City.'

See below to download presentations from the forum. Also, forum participants are invited to continue providing feedback on this website at www.sustainablebluemountains.net.au/betterfuture/.

For further information about the forum, contact Bronwen Johnston, Economic Development Program Leader on 0413 334 101.

• Presentation - Profressor Blakely, Economist
• Presentation - Bronwen Johnston, Blue Mountains City Council
• Presentation - Case Study 1
• Presentation - Case Study 2
• Presentation - Case Study 3
• Presentation - Case Study 4
• Presentation - Case Study 5

This item was posted in August 2008.

Professor Blakely

Clr Jim Angel

Forum in progress