BUSINESS SUPPORT AND INCENTIVE POLICY

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1 Page 1 of 5 1. POLICY OBJECTIVE To establish a framework that guides the Whyalla City Council (Council) when approached by businesses and other organisations that are seeking assistance to establish, extend, invest and/or operate in the Whyalla region. 2. SCOPE This policy applies to guide the determination of all applications by businesses seeking assistance to establish, extend or operate in the Council area. 3. RISK MANAGEMENT Risk Management is an important obligation the Whyalla City Council takes very seriously and pro-actively manages. In the receipt and determination of business investment support and incentives, the City Council is very aware that there may be risks that the organisation may be exposed to. The Council has a Risk Management Policy and a number of current procedures as well as a Risk Management Framework all of which are available for viewing. In the determination of business investment support and incentives, all employees and Councillors are encouraged to consider applicable perceived risks and, if necessary, communicate these through the appropriate avenues within Council. 4. DEFINITIONS Interpretation of terms used shall be defined in the Local Government Act, 1999, the Development Act, 1993 as relevant. 5. POLICY STATEMENT The diversification of Whyalla s economy is a key objective of Council for economic growth and job creation. From time to time, the Council is approached by businesses seeking assistance to enable them to establish, extend or operate in the Whyalla region. This policy provides a framework that guides the Council when approached to provide assistance through a range of investment support and/or incentives.

2 Page 2 of 5 A number of specific areas have been identified where the Council has the potential and ability to support the establishment of new businesses or growth of existing businesses. The role of these incentives is to act as the catalyst and not the driver of the business investment decision. The incentives are intended to help cause the investment decision to be taken in Whyalla, but not to be the key financial variable upon which the investment s viability is based. As a catalyst, the provision of incentives must be deemed to be able to influence an investment decision in favour of Whyalla, with commensurate favourable economic outcomes for the City. Criteria when considering Provision of Support and Incentives For businesses seeking support, the Council will consider and generally apply, but not be limited to, the following criteria: the extent to which the business is flexible as to location; number of sustainable long term jobs created or retained; level of long term, viable business investment; increase in exports from the region; replacement of imports into the region; the percentage or dollar value of local suppliers and contractors to be used in the project; potential to lead to further business activity or investment; and the degree to which the proposal fits and will assist in the implementation of Council s and RDAWEP s strategic objectives and economic strategies. Support by Council is discretionary. It is considered that once a business or project is identified as being worthy of support, an appropriate mix of the following be tailored to best suit the proposal. Council Specific Areas of Support and Incentive to Business Itinerary Development and Site Selection Council, in partnership with stakeholders, can offer itinerary development to companies visiting Whyalla seeking to investigate opportunities within the city, provide comparative information and facilitate site visits to explore the multiple commercial, industrial, opportunities.

3 Page 3 of 5 Development Approval Fees and Conditions The Council will consider waiving or reducing building and planning fees associated with the establishment or expansion of the business, or provide a rebate to offset some or all of these fees. As part of the development approval, the Council can phase in non-essential development assessment conditions. Rates and Charges Council will consider the provision of a rebate for the relevant rate and/or service charge commensurate with the number of new permanent employment opportunities or full-time employees or equivalent created by the new or expanding business after the construction stage is complete. Establishment Costs The Council can assist in appropriate circumstances with the provision of Local Government-type infrastructure. Lease of City-owned Buildings or Land The Council can assist, where deemed appropriate, the leasing of premises or land within its portfolio to businesses to enable them to establish or expand. Nomination of a Specific Case Manager for the Project It may be appropriate to nominate a Council representative and/or seek support from RDAWEP for a representative to work closely with the company during the establishment phase of the business. This representative would be responsible for looking after the business representatives, introducing them to Whyalla and local businesses, industry and trade networks and co-ordinating development approvals, to maintain contact with the business representatives so as to ensure that they know what is happening at every stage of the process. Involvement of RDAWEP Council may seek assistance from RDAWEP who are well placed to assist new businesses to integrate into Whyalla. This assistance may include support such as: providing advice and assistance to access RDAWEP programs; providing specific local and regional information; providing advice and assistance to access Government programs including grant funding programs, and development of business cases to support investment; providing introductions to local industry and business networks, trade networks, suppliers of goods and services, service providers, supply chain networks; and links to State and Federal Government agencies.

4 Page 4 of 5 RDAWEP may also facilitate workforce development programs, introductions to local networks of education, training and job service providers to help develop skills and capabilities required by the new business operation from local and regional resources. This integration assistance may also extend to helping families linked to new or expanding businesses, to settle in Whyalla, connecting them to services, local sporting, community organisations, cultural events and generally making them feel welcome. State and Federal Government Liaison Council can seek to assist the business in its dealings with State and Federal Government. meetings with appropriate politicians, State and Federal Government departments may form part of a strategy to enable additional support from State and Federal Government, its departments and agencies. Assistance may also be sought from RDAWEP to support the business in its dealings with State and Federal Government. Business Prospectus and Information Publication and distribution of a business prospectus tailored to Whyalla s unique attributes is a fundamental tool to promote and attract new investment to the City. The Council will facilitate a business prospectus and source from key economic development stakeholders information and support that can inform businesses and other organisations who are considering investment in Whyalla and surrounding region. Generating Growth within Key Strategic Locations or Targeted Industries To stimulate business growth and economic activity, Council may elect to define and nominate a precinct (e.g. Whyalla Industrial Estate, Whyalla Airport Business Park, Marina Precinct) and/or nominate a targeted industry (e.g. Aged Care, Tourism). Council may designate terms and conditions where new development projects or new or relocating business activities are the beneficiary of a reduction, waiver or rebate in Development Approval Fees, Establishment Costs of Local Governmenttype infrastructure, or Council Rates and for a defined period. 6. DOCUMENTATION All applications for business support should be made on the Business Support and Incentive application form and be accompanied by supporting documentation.

5 Page 5 of 5 7. RESPONSIBLE PERSON Group Manager City Development and Delivery 8. AUTHORITY Assessment and Reporting The membership and participants of a Working Group drawn to consider and assess an application and will comprise three Elected Members and senior staff as deemed appropriate by the Chief Executive Officer. The membership, as a minimum, should as follows: Mayor (Chair); Deputy Mayor; Chairperson of Council s Economic and Social Committee; Chief Executive Officer of Council; Chief Executive Officer of RDAWEP (or their nominee); and appropriate Senior Officers of Council as nominated by the Council s Chief Executive Officer. In the event the Mayor or Deputy Mayor assumes the role of the Chair of Council s Economic and Social Committee, a third Elected Member will be nominated to be part of the Working Group. Business support and incentives by Council is discretionary. Once the application has been received and assessed by the Working Group, the recommended package or level of business support and incentive will be reported to Council for adoption. 9. HISTORY Version 2 July 2006

6 APPLICATION FORM - BUSINESS SUPPORT AND INCENTIVE POLICY Template: Page 1 of 4 Version: 1 Before you complete this form, please ensure you have reviewed the Business Support & Incentive Policy and followed the application process outlined. Once you have done so, please complete all sections of this form in full and submit together with electronic copies of supporting documents by to council@whyalla.sa.gov.au PART A - ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS 1. PROJECT TITLE 2. APPLICANT DETAILS Applicant/Business Name ABN ACN GST registered Registered Trading Name Alternate Name Street Address Postal Address Locations Website Address 3. CONTACT DETAILS Salutation (eg. Mr, Mrs, Dr) First Name Surname Position Title (eg. CEO, Manager) Address Contact Numbers Yes / No 4. EXISTING BUSINESS DETAILS Years of trading Total: By current owner: Employees Full Time Part Time Total Full Time Equivalent Industry Sector (eg Education, Health, Manufacturing, Renewables) Business Nature (eg core product or services) Key Persons Please select states to which your products and services are currently sold QLD NSW VIC WA TAS VIC NT SA ACT Electronic version is the controlled version. Printed copies are considered uncontrolled. Before using a printed copy, verify that it is the current version.

7 PART B PROJECT DETAILS 5. PROJECT OVERVIEW Describe the overall project and/or development. APPLICATION FORM - BUSINESS SUPPORT AND INCENTIVE POLICY Template: Page 2 of 4 Version: 1 6. PROJECT DETAIL Total Project Cost excl. GST $ Project Location (eg Street Address or CT reference) Project Timeframe Project Commencement Date Project Completion Date 7. BUSINESS BENEFITS What benefit will the project generate for your business? What other benefits will the project generate for the Whyalla economy? Are there any other regional benefits will this project generate? 8. PARTNERS / SUPPLIERS AND SUPPLY CHAINS Who are your key project partners and suppliers? What % or $ of local suppliers and contractors will be used in the project? % Local Suppliers $ local suppliers inputs Provide details of any supply chain opportunities Electronic version is the controlled version. Printed copies are considered uncontrolled. Before using a printed copy, verify that it is the current version.

8 9. PROJECT OUTCOMES New Investment $ Number of new Whyalla based jobs created (FTE) APPLICATION FORM - BUSINESS SUPPORT AND INCENTIVE POLICY Template: Page 3 of 4 Version: 1 Current/ Actual Position Increase after 1 year Increase after 2 years Increase after 3 years 10. JOB CREATION/RETENTION BREAKDOWN Job Classification Estimated Initial Estimated On-Going Managers and Administrators Professionals and Associated Professionals Trade Persons and Related Workers Clerical, Sales and Service Workers Production and Transport Workers Labourers and Related Workers Other PART C CERTIFICATION 11. APPLICANT CERTIFICATION I/We understand that: 1. Submission of a signed application does not guarantee incentive approval for either all, or part of, the incentive being sought; and 2. Terms and conditions of financial incentive will be strictly adhered to and no extensions of time for compliance will be granted under any circumstances. 3. Project costs incurred prior to the date the final signed application form is lodged with the Council are not eligible for reimbursement and are incurred at the applicants own risk. I/We, the undersigned, authorise Council to undertake any necessary due diligence and hereby certify that all details provided in this application are true and correct. I/We understand Council s privacy statement and policy on confidentiality and commercial-in-confidence. Name Signature Position Date DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS Application form - completed and signed by the authorised person/s Copy of Business Plan and Project Plan Copies/evidence of business insurance for the business and the project Any other documentation to support the application All information provided with this application will be treated as commercial-in-confidence by Whyalla City Council. The Council and its officers are subject to the the State Records Act 1997 and the Freedom of Information Act Submit applications to: Chief Executive Officer, Whyalla City Council, PO Box 120, WHYALLA, SA 5600 or council@whyalla.sa.gov.au Electronic version is the controlled version. Printed copies are considered uncontrolled. Before using a printed copy, verify that it is the current version.

9 APPLICATION FORM - BUSINESS SUPPORT AND INCENTIVE POLICY Template: Page 4 of 4 Version: 1 OFFICE USE ONLY Application Reference Date Received Receiving Officer Name and Signature ASSESSMENT CRITERIA INCENTIVE OR SUPPORT ELIGIBILTY ASSESSMENT Targeted Industry Targeted location or precinct Number of new jobs Investment $ % and / or $ local suppliers Economic Multiplier Assessment Completion Timeframe ASSESSING OFFICER RECOMMENDATION Level of assistance / support Total Indicative $ cost to Council Assessing Officer Name and Signature APPROVAL Level of assistance / support Mayor Chair Economic & Social Committee Chief Executive Officer Date Date Date Electronic version is the controlled version. Printed copies are considered uncontrolled. Before using a printed copy, verify that it is the current version.