During 2024-2025, Council completed in-depth examination of our local economy, culminating in the publication of an Economic Development Strategy, Retail and Activity Centre Study, Population Growth Policy and related work. This work was led by Council’s Strategic Growth department, that encompasses economic development, development support (i.e. Building, Land use planning and Environmental health), Special projects and other functions.

A key action of the Economic Development Strategy is the establishment of a Strategic Growth Expert Panel.

In endorsing the establishment of the Strategic Growth Expert Panel, Council expects the inclusion of respected business and industry experts from our key sectors will be a major step towards achieving a strong, connected and inclusive economic community, driving its own future forward with intent, purpose and direction.

Roles and Responsibilities

The role of the Strategic Growth Expert Panel is to:

• Provide strategic advice, ideas and insights to Council on current opportunities and challenges relevant to the local economy, and in particular, business and industry growth expansion, diversification and collaborative opportunity.
• Provide advice on major Council proposals, projects and initiatives that could positively impact the local business and industrial economy.
• Inform a series of economic development-focussed roundtables, aimed at exploring topics in depth.
• Integrate perspectives drawn from various existing business networks.

Panel members will be expected to: 

• Declare any conflicts of interest.
• Complete required reading ahead of meetings.
• Uphold any commitments made to the group.
• Treat people with courtesy and respect, refer any conflicts or grievances
• Council’s Director Strategic Growth, or – in the event of the grievance being with the Director Strategic Growth – to Council’s CEO.
• Act with integrity, confidentiality, diligence and care.

For more information, read the draft Terms of Reference.

Panel Candidate Requirements

Council is seeking a diverse group of business leaders and industry people who can demonstrate strong connections to their peers and relevant peak bodies, small to medium businesses, major employers and key stakeholder groups, to provide advice relating to encouragement of new investment, economic growth and diversification, tourism visitation, workers and residents in the local economy.

Panel members will have evident capacity to offer strategic advice to Central Coast Council on the challenges and opportunities facing the local business and industrial economy and across the broader context of its place in the state and national economy.

Members will be appointed to the panel based on merit, skill, expertise and leadership qualities.

The Panel will bring specialist experience and skills, relevant network connections, innovative thinking, and a strong desire to drive economic prosperity in Central Coast.

Members of the panel will be appointed for a two-year term commencing from the first meeting in September 2025. Meetings will occur at a minimum four times per year.

Selection Criteria

Applicants should meet the following criteria:

• Live in, or work for or own a business operating in, the Central Coast municipality.
• Strong connections to community, government or industry (e.g. peak bodies, chambers of commerce), locally, regionally or beyond.
• Sound verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to use software such as Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Teams, at a basic level.

Council values diversity, and applicants who may not be strong in all of these criteria but who feel they have something valuable to add are encouraged to apply.

Other Important Details

Meetings are expected to be held quarterly during business hours, in person, but may be held at a different time or frequency, or via Microsoft Teams, as determined by Council in consultation with panel members.

Consistent with similar Council arrangements, membership is voluntary and not remunerated.

Appointment is for a term of two years from the September 2025 Panel Meeting, however a term may be ended sooner or extended, at Council’s discretion.

While Council expects that important opportunities will exist for panel member to speak publicly about the panel’s work, panel members must not seek to represent the panel or Council without the express permission of the Director Strategic Growth.

Panel members must not seek to use their position on the panel to benefit themselves or any person or organisation they are affiliated with.

More Information

For any enquiries regarding the EOI process or documentation, please email Tracey Clark at: tracey.clark@centralcoast.tas.gov.au

If you have any queries about the purpose of the Strategic Growth Expert Panel please contact Daryl Connelly, Director Strategic Growth at: daryl.connelly@centralcoast.tas.gov.au

How to Apply

Expressions of Interest must be received by Council prior to close of business (5:00 pm) on 29 August, 2025.