1. Background and context

Information communications technology (ICT) has changed how we view and use information and services, and its effects will accelerate as it becomes embedded in work, leisure and the provision of goods and services. It will have an increasingly pervasive influence on our economic and social development. In Australia, 5 percent of GDP is accounted for by the ICT industry, and ICT generated productivity gains are around 1.3 percent per annum, although they are much higher in some industries than in others. ICT is a truly strategic industry; its management at an enterprise, local and national level is of crucial importance for economic and community well-being. This report examines important trends, uncertainties and linkages to the future development and growth of Ballarat, and proposes a strategic plan for the City that will consolidate its position as a regional centre for ICT and provide a platform for its future global competitiveness. This strategy builds on Ballarat IT2010 - a strategy that supported the early growth of ICT in the City.

ICT is recognised as a driver of economic growth. It can improve the efficiency and sometimes the competitiveness of its users, and as an industry in its own right has considerable economic potential. Ballarat's industry base is changing rapidly; the role of manufacturing is declining and at the same time, the City has higher than average unemployment, particularly among its youth. As a growth industry, ICT has the potential to reduce these disadvantages and create dynamic and sustainable growth in the City through developing a 'cluster' of ICT organisations. The Ballarat ICT Cluster, including suppliers, users, research, training and ancillary industries, is at a critical stage of development. With the growth of collaboration, the attraction of new capital and talent and pressure from competition and demanding consumers, the ICT Cluster can underpin much of the future growth of the region. This strategy provides signposts to how that can be achieved through the growth of the ICT industry itself, and through the rapid adoption of best ICT practice by our individuals and the community.