Council takes out economic development awards

Published on 17 October 2024

The City of Launceston has been recognised at the 2024 National Economic Development Awards for Excellence in Melbourne tonight.

Held during the 2024 National Economic Development Conference, the awards are designed to celebrate organisations and individuals who drive sustainable growth and community prosperity across Australia.

City of Launceston Economic Development Officer Karishma Kodavali was presented with the Economic Development Rising Star Leadership award, which recognises emerging leaders in the economic development sector.

Ms Kodavali was recognised for her work facilitating economic development programs on behalf of the City of Launceston, including Business Connect workshops aimed at supporting the city's small business sector.

The City of Launceston also took out an award in the Economic Development Recovery & Resilience category for its Business Activity Survey, which analyses business activity in Launceston's CBD in detail.

The Council’s Data Analyst Tony McDonald accepted the award on behalf of the project team.

The Business Activity Survey was launched this year, having evolved from the Council's former CBD retail shop occupancy surveys.

The new system can categorise more than 30 types of businesses and can record features like on-street dining offerings.

The data for the Business Activity Survey is captured by officers and members of Launceston Central using smartphones and uploaded to a database, allowing for real-time updates when businesses open and close.

Image: City of Launceston Economic Development Officer Karishma Kodavali and Data Analyst Tony McDonald.