Iluka's story

Iluka's involvement in the Townlife Program resulted in a community economic development strategic plan and four core groups of projects that have achieved over 90 percent of their goals in 16 months.

"I think we will look back on this in a few years and see this as one of those defining moments in time."
Kerren Law, Community Economic Development Coordinator, Maclean Shire Council

Facing the challenges

Iluka is a fishing and tourism town of 2,500 people in the Maclean Shire. Like most small communities, Iluka struggled against the tide of change for a number of years.

The Clarence Coast

Residents, ratepayers and other community associations sprang to life to address the seemingly endless array of issues.

Iluka didn't have the heritage buildings of neighbouring Maclean, nor the economic growth enjoyed by tourism hot spot, Yamba. Iluka was different - Iluka felt in many ways somewhat left behind.

Fortunately the Iluka Chamber of Commerce decided to make a change. The Chamber took up the challenge in mid 2000 and successfully applied for Townlife Development Program funding. The Chamber elected to become proactive in planning Iluka's economic and social future in partnership with other groups, associations, council and the community.

Our project

With the grant funds from the Townlife Development Program we were able to hold two planning workshops in the village. To our surprise more than 100 members of the community came along

Part of the workshop process was to get all the issues for the village on the table. The community decided to tackle four core groups of projects:

• Marketing
• Festivals
• Physical design
• Economic development.

Activities and actions developed under these headings now form our community economic development strategic plan.

We are proud to say that 16 months down the track we have achieved more than 90 per cent of our project goals. Our progress has been spectacular. Our success more than we could have hoped for.

The partnerships and networks we have established along the way have begun to change the way folks think about this little place. It's an amazing thing to be a part of.

What we've achieved

To date we have:

• developed a community economic development strategic plan
• opened a seven-day-a-week visitor information outlet at the local BP Service Station within 24 hours of the planning workshops
• created a three year marketing action list
• developed a marketing brand
• designed and developed a motivational brochure
• hosted a workshop with tourism degree students from Southern Cross University to brainstorm product development ideas
• hosted a fun and sale day
• created a new community event, including our first ever outdoor cinema by the sea
• secured funding to undertake the first ever community art project
• completed a benchmark streetscape concept plan to create a truly unique and interesting retail and social space
• developed a day trip package
• hosted the first tourism operator familiarisation tour
• created partnerships with government and community agencies/groups
• made bigger towns, with far more resources, sit up and take notice (we love that bit).

Iluka rainforest track

How the Townlife Development Program has helped

The program has provided an opportunity for people to come together and work on something positive within an established framework designed to achieve results.

It's brought business folks and the general community together to resolve issues and stimulated action (not just more talk) and achieved results.

It has also reduced the potential for conflict and delays, given the community confidence and built community capacity to discuss and solve problems.

Finally it has thrown open the window of opportunity.

Somewhere along the way we started to believe that things (big things, little things) were possible. Now we say that if you want something done, don't wait for someone else to fix it for you - make it happen.

What we're doing now

At the moment we are:

• implementing the streetscape concept plan (this is huge and offers real potential for generation of employment and attraction of investment)
  
• producing the day trip and integrated walking trail brochure (people want things to do, they want it in a package with choices - this is a vital next step)
  
• developing a direct marketing campaign in key target areas
  
• developing an outdoor cinema and community festival, and
  
• applying for funding for a Community Technology Centre.

Iluka fishing trawlers

For further information

Contact	:	Kerren Law, Community Economic development Coordinator
Address	:	Maclean Shire Council
Phone	:	02 6645 2266
Email	:	klaw@msc.nsw.gov.au