Economic tool to help COVID recovery plans

Fraser Coast residents and businesses wanting to know how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted their lives, now have a new tool in their arsenal on the road to recovery.

Regional Jobs committee, Jobs Fraser Coast, has invested in an online economic modeling and forecasting tool which explains the impacts on workforce and industry and forecasts the pace of economic recovery specifically for the Fraser Coast region.

Jobs Fraser Coast chair Scott Rowe said the new online tool would be made available online to all business owners and residents free of charge. “Jobs Fraser Coast continues to work towards building a better understanding of the impacts of COVID-19 on the community and industry,” Mr. Rowe said.

“Currently, information on the impacts of COVID-19 within the region is limited creating uncertainty about the future of the Fraser Coast local economy. Jobs Fraser Coast has invested in this economic development tool which allows support agencies and business owners to better understand the impacts and plan sound recovery steps. It is regularly updated with the latest figures.”

The tools have been developed by economists to showcase and forecast economic data and trends developing within the region until June 2022. These tools can be used in conjunction with unemployment and JobSeeker data to create a full overview of the impacts of COVID-19 on the region’s local labour force.

Individuals and organisations will be able to use this data when applying for Government funding or investment in community services and infrastructure. The data can be downloaded into reports based on the users’ needs.

Funded by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training, Jobs Fraser Coast is guided by a group of volunteers represented by the three local Chambers of Commerce, Fraser Coast Regional Council, University of Sunshine Coast, Regional Development Australia Wide Bay Burnett, TAFE Queensland, Fraser Coast Tourism and Events, Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service, Together Union, National Disability Services, and community leaders.