Megan Hutchison is retiring from Council today after sixteen years as Council’s Economic Development Manager.

It has been a role that has seen her provide training and support to the business community, acting as a liaison point with other levels of government, and championing new initiatives.

She says she has seen some major changes in our local economy during that time.

“The emphasis has moved away from main street retail to more innovative hospitality experiences, with a large increase in employment in the hospitality sector, and our retail has become more boutique.

“Also with the advent of the NBN we have been attracting more tech businesses who realise they don’t have to be in Sydney – many are operating from home but some have grown into office space.”

Megan says the future for business all depends on how we plan for growth in the town centres.

“If we can allow more commercial space, we will definitely see more high value businesses coming to town, as there is a demand already and we just don’t have the space. These are higher value, clean jobs that we should be trying to attract.”

Megan with the Kiama & District Business Chamber President Cam McDonald and Natasha Osmond-Dreyer of Blue Marbles Consulting

Asked what she is most proud of during her time, Megan nominated the Pavilion redevelopment.

“I worked on it from the ground up, and helped turn it into a business unit that allowed for community use as well. It was a balance to get that mix right, but we’ve make it work. I’m proud of the venue that we have and the use that it is being put to.”

She says working in a small council has meant that she’s had to the opportunity to take on additional roles and responsibilities as the need arose.

“The diversity adds to your job satisfaction, because things are always evolving. In a larger council you would be pigeon-holed into a discreet role.”

In her current role as the Acting Director Corporate & Commercial, she has taken on additional responsibility for Destination Kiama, the property department (that looks after the Leisure Centre and lifeguards), the holiday parks, IT and records management.

“I would personally like to thank Megan for all her hard work, her great attitude and the sense of enjoyment she’s brought to Kiama Council in her sixteen years here,” says Council’s CEO Jane Stroud.

“Megan will be sorely missed but I join with all at KMC in wishing her the absolute best for her retirement – I imagine it will be a very busy and productive one!”