Overview
Creative industries play a pivotal role in generating new ideas and innovation which permeate individual economies, strengthening their competitive advantage.

In an era of globalisation, developing this competitive edge is crucial and hence, more emphasis is being placed on creative industries and their ability to catalyse a nation’s economic development at both the macro and micro level.

This is especially true for Australia, where all levels of government are increasingly acknowledging the economic contributions of creative industries and hence, these businesses are gaining momentum. Australia’s creative industries sector, also termed the Creative Economy, is extremely valuable and it is only maturing.

In the three years to 2007/08, creative industries experienced an average growth rate of 3.4 per cent1. Moreover, Australia’s Creative Economy as a whole is estimated to contribute $31.1 billion towards the nation’s GDP (2007/08) which is higher than the contributions by other Australian industries such as agriculture, forestry and fishing.

Australia’s creative industries hold great economic potential and all levels of government in Australia are further encouraging this potential to materialise.
 
Sectors
Creative industries is a diverse industry which encompasses a wide range of sectors including but not limited to:

• Advertising, graphic design and marketing film, television and radio
• Visual arts Fashion (clothing, accessories and footwear)
• Architecture and design
• Music and performing arts
• Multimedia Games development

Information thanks to the 2011 Asia Pacific Cities Summit

Creative industries reports for the Coffs Harbour LGA and Mid North Coast regions:

• Creating Creative Industries Report
• Creating Creative Industries Report - Executive Summary
• Creative Industries Mid-North Coast.pdf
• You Can Make a Difference - A Community Consultation Report