The Blue Mountains City Council’s Economic Development and Tourism Strategy was created with Delos Delta in 2021. This Strategy sets out a ten-year plan that delivers economic and visitor economy outcomes for the Blue Mountains region.  The vision of this Strategy is for the Blue Mountains to expand into a strong, diversified, and sustainable economy by 2035, with increased employment, education and learning opportunities.

What makes this Strategy unique is that it sits within an interconnected strategic framework both within the Blue Mountains City Council and in relation to the broader regional, state, and national context.

The Strategy is built on eight key strategic themes:

1. Partnerships and Collaboration
2. Leveraging Competitive Advantage
3. Building a Connected City through infrastructure
4. Investing in people and business
5. Destination Management and the Visitor economy
6. Planning the city
7. Nurturing Innovation for Strategic Outcomes
8. Diversify the Economic Base of the City to Build Resilience

Each of these strategic themes is explained in depth in the Strategy, with proposed mechanisms to deliver its aim and prioritised SMART (Strategic, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timed) measures.

“[The Strategy] highlights the importance of collaboration between Council, businesses, industry, and the community. It is tailored to the Blue Mountains’ unique setting and identifies a comprehensive delivery plan.” – Mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill

The unique positioning of the Blue Mountains region and its World Heritage status meant this Economic and Tourism Strategy required an increased sustainable approach and holistic perspective. This required the aims and mechanisms of the Strategy to actively keep in mind the balance of social, economic, and environmental factors to achieve an inclusive, thriving, resilient region.  This included considering elements such as planetary health, environmental protections, biodiversity, circular economy, and slow and eco-tourism.