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Georges River Council Innovation Strategy: A pathway towards an innovative future

Posted May 20, 2020

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Rowena Phua

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  • Local government
SGS Economics and Planning Georges River Innovation Strategy Proejct

New strategy shaping an innovation pathway in Georges River

SGS Economics and Planning recently collaborated with the strategy and innovation team at Georges River Council in Sydney’s south to prepare a draft innovation strategy. The purpose of the strategy is to drive a culture of innovation within the Council and foster innovation throughout the Georges River community explained SGS Senior Consultant Rowena Phua.

Georges River Council has successfully managed the amalgamation of two councils into the current organisation. The next big reform for Council emerging from its Leading for Change 2050 Strategy is to rethink how they operate. They have established a strategy and innovation team and launched a draft innovation strategy to foster innovation throughout the Georges River community.

— Rowena Phua

Working with partners Morrison Low and LGiU UK and the Georges River innovation team, we developed a draft innovation strategy that responds to trends impacting the local area and delivers a clear roadmap to establish Georges River as an innovative city.

Our team analysed socio-economic impacts and explored local and international best practice case studies to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the region and advise how innovation could evolve. Council then tested the innovation concepts, and local community groups and local businesses contributed to the final draft innovation strategy.

What's really important is that Georges River Council sees culture and diversity at the heart of any transformation – not just technology or economic advantage. The team at Georges River Council, and their local community, have started discovering new ideas, are being creative and are finding solutions that are socially, economically and environmentally sustainable as they deliver their Leading for Change 2050 Strategy and progress the draft innovation strategy.

— Rowena Phua

Six pillars of action

Research and engagement show that six pillars of action need to be addressed to help produce and uphold innovative and sustainable outcomes across Georges River:

  1. Positive leadership and an innovative culture
  2. Creativity and diverse insights lead to new ideas
  3. A network for collaboration and partnership
  4. Innovative capabilities and sufficient resourcing
  5. Work with entrepreneurial stakeholders and gain commercial value from ventures
  6. Produce social, environmental and economically sustainable benefits for the LGA.

Key priorities for innovation support these pillars of action.

Have your say

The Draft Innovation Strategy was developed to transform Georges River Council into an innovative leader by leveraging their strengths and their diverse community. The Council is now seeking community feedback on the draft strategy.

Have your say
SGS Economics and Planning Georges River Council cover
Innovation in local government: LGiU Australia

As part of our commitment to local government innovation, we have partnered with UK local authority think tank LGiU to launch LGiU Australia. To find out how LGiU Australia can help your council, contact Merle Zierke.

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Author(s):

Rowena Phua

Experts in this area:
Types:
  • Local government
SGS Economics Planning Rowena Phua
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Rowena Phua

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