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Page 1 The RURAL City of Murray Bridge Economic Development & Growth Strategy Growing. Thriving. Strong. 2026-2030 Page 2 We acknowledge the Ngarrindjeri people as the traditional owners of this land on which we meet and work. We respect and acknowledge their spiritual connection as the custodians of this land and that their cultural heritage beliefs are still important to the living people today. We recognise the living culture and combined energies of the Ngarrindjeri people, our global pioneers and community members today for their unique contribution to the life of our region. 2 The Rural City of Murray Bridge Page 3 Mayor and CEO Message 5 About this Strategy 6 Strategic Context & Alignment 8 Strategic Development Approach 11 Economy Overview 12 Council’s Role in Economic Growth 14 Framework: Focus Areas & Key Moves 16 Focus Area 1 Progressive Wellbeing 16 Focus Area 2 Activating Infrastructure 17 Focus Area 3 Sustainable Growth 18 Implementation Logic & Phasing 2026-2030 21 Measures What Success Looks Like 22 Governance, Resources & Implementation 23 High Level Action Plan 24 Appendices 35 Contents Economic Development and Growth Strategy 2026-2030 3 Page 4 4 The Rural City of Murray Bridge Page 5 Mayor and CEO message As Mayor and Chief Executive Officer, we are proud to present the Economic Development & Growth Strategy 2026–2030 for the Rural City of Murray Bridge. Importantly, this Strategy adopts a wellbeing economy approach, recognising that success is measured not only by growth, but by improved quality of life, stronger social inclusion, and resilient natural and built environments. This is a living roadmap that will guide decision-making, strengthen partnerships, and support advocacy to State and Federal Governments – ensuring infrastructure, land use and industry development are aligned to opportunity. We acknowledge the contributions of our community, industry partners and government stakeholders in shaping this Strategy. Delivering its outcomes will require continued collaboration, innovation and shared commitment. T ogether, we are building a stronger, more resilient and prosperous Murray Bridge, a place where people, businesses and industries can confidently invest, grow and thrive. Our region has entered a defining period of growth. Strong population increases, rising investment, and our strategic location position Murray Bridge as a key driver of South Australia’s future prosperity. This Strategy provides a clear and coordinated pathway to harness this momentum and deliver lasting economic, social and environmental outcomes for our community. Building on extensive planning, advocacy and collaboration, the Strategy brings together our priorities into a focused framework, centred on ten Key Moves across three focus areas, aligned with our Strategic Plan 2024–2028. Our approach is guided by the four P’s; planning for growth, preparing our organisation and community, partnering with key stakeholders, and placemaking to create vibrant, connected places. These principles ensure growth is purposeful, well- managed and community focused. Economic Development and Growth Strategy 2026-2030 5 Wayne Thorley Mayor Heather Barclay Chief Executive Officer Page 6 about this strategy The Economic Development & Growth Strategy 2026–2030 sets out how the Rural City of Murray Bridge will harness population and investment growth to deliver a more prosperous, resilient and inclusive local economy. The Strategy is intended as a working document that guides annual business planning, informs infrastructure and land use decisions, and supports funding and partnership negotiations with State and Federal Government. Recent years of planning, research and advocating for government investment under an aspirational framework has resulted in long-term commitment to critical community building infrastructure. The EDGS aims to deliver these confirmed directions. The Strategy builds on recent years of planning work, consolidating existing projects and initiatives into a clear framework of ten ‘Key Moves’ across three focus areas, underpinned by a Strategic Plan (2024-2028) focused on Growing, Thriving, Strong. The purpose of the Economic Development and Growth Strategy is to: • Align Council’s economic development efforts with its Strategic Plan 2024–2028 under the broader Community Plan’s theme of a “Dynamic Economy - where people, business and industry are seizing opportunities to learn, earn and grow. People thrive when they participate in a dynamic economy”. • Provide a practical implementation roadmap for Council, partners and industry over the next four years. • Embed a wellbeing economy lens ensuring economic growth improves living standards, social inclusion and environmental resilience. Growth Aspirations Growth Di r ections 6 The Rural City of Murray Bridge Page 7 Economic Development and Growth Strategy 2026-2030 7 Page 8 Strategic Context & Alignment Local / Regional The Economic Development and Growth Strategy is anchored in RCMB’s broader policy framework: • Community Plan 2016-2032 – Thriving Communities: long term community aspirations shaped by extensive engagement. • Strategic Plan 2024-2028 – A Dynamic Economy: one of four themes, focusing on people, business and industry seizing opportunities to learn, earn and grow. • Structure Plan 2024 and Code Amendments: provide the spatial framework for residential and employment lands growth State The Economic Development and Growth Strategy draws strands of activity together into a single, implementable framework for economic development and growth, ensuring alignment with South Australian Government objectives outlined in: • Greater Adelaide Regional Plan (GARP) and associated housing and employment targets. • The Housing and Employment Lands Roadmap which provides