Developing creative industries in northern Australia: a report on key developments and outcomes in the city of Townsville, North Queensland
Conference Contribution ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
Creative industries with a typically commercial focus (e.g. film, design, software) are often cited as key areas of focus for economic and workforce development. This is typically due to creative industries’ low reliance on major infrastructure (e.g. dams, roads), as well as their capacity to value add to other industry sectors given they are often at the cutting edge of technological development and innovation processes. While there are a multitude of studies that measure and assess the size and contribution of creative industries to metropolitan – and to a lesser extent regional - economies across the globe, there is very little focus on the demand side for this sector. In what is arguably the first project of its kind, this presentation reports on the overarching findings and key economic development outcomes of a major supply/demand analysis of creative industries in Townsville, northern Australia, and which was completed in 2014-15. In addition to citing the major findings and which include an estimate of the import leakage to the local economy, this presentation discusses the development of a range of key strategies and outcomes designed to build on the research findings and boost the local workforce and economic activity within the sector. These key outcomes have included the development of creative industry industries growth through Entrepreneurial/Mentoring Program, a Creative Industries Cluster, a Film Industry Development group, and the formation of Townsville City Council’s first ever Innovation and Business Advisory Group. These various strategies are discussed in terms of their formation, delivery and either intended or achieved outcomes to date. As part of ongoing research and analysis of creative industries beyond capital cities, this presentation highlights a number of key issues of relevance to not only the regions but other key centres in northern Australia, whilst also highlighting the value of university and community engagement.
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Developing Northern Australia Conference 2017
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Cairns, QLD, Australia
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Cairns, QLD, Australia
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