Central Coast Economic Strategy Targets Employment Growth and Regional Investment

The Central Coast is entering a new phase of economic planning, with the Central Coast Council outlining a strategy to address local employment needs and industry growth. As of the 2023-24 annual report, the region supports a population of 351,934 residents and provides 140,478 local jobs. With a Gross Regional Product recorded at $19.17 billion, the focus of upcoming regional planning is to increase both the diversity and availability of local employment opportunities.

The Shift in Local Employment Dynamics

Data indicates that the labour market is currently in a state of transition. While Health Care and Social Assistance remains the largest industry by employment for the region, there is a notable trend of residents commuting to work. Statistics show that 24.1% of local residents travel outside the Central Coast Local Government Area (LGA) for their daily employment, while 9.5% of the workforce live elsewhere but commute into the region for work. These patterns highlight the importance of the new Regional Economy Strategic Action Plan 2026-2027, which seeks to prioritize local job support and enhance investment attraction within the region.

Strategic Goals for Regional Growth

Looking ahead, the Central Coast Economic Development Strategy 2026-2030 has established clear objectives for the next decade. The council is targeting the creation of over 72,000 new jobs and aims to grow the regional economy by more than $21 billion within the next 10 years. This strategy is designed to create a more resilient local job market, reducing the reliance on external employment hubs and strengthening the local commercial landscape.

Tourism and Town Centre Activation

Tourism continues to serve as a vital component of the local economy. In 2024, the region welcomed 5.6 million visitors. While overnight visitation has shown consistent growth over the past decade at a rate of 4.0% annually, international visitor numbers have seen a decline of 1.3% annually during the same period. The Regional Economy Strategic Action Plan 2026-2027 aims to counter these shifts by focusing on town centre activation and further tourism development. These initiatives are intended to revitalize local commercial precincts and ensure that the economic benefits of visitor activity are felt across the community. Residents and business owners looking for further details on these strategic programs can monitor updates from the Central Coast Council for the latest implementation timelines and investment opportunities.