Gateway to Snowtown - Business Plan Example

Table of Contents 0 Executive Summary 1 Introduction 2 Project Overview…………………………………………………………………. A) Project Title……………………………………………………………….. B) Vision Statement…………………………………………………………. C) Organizational Objectives………………………………………………. 1.3 Business Profile…………………………………………………………………… A) Project feasibility…………………………………………………………. B) Project Sponsor…………………………………………………………… 1.4 Situational Assessment………………………………………………………… A) Critical assumptions and constraints………………………………… B) Projected indicators……………………………………………………. 1.5 Appendix………………………………………………………………………….. Reference……………………………………………………………………………… 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMARRY The city of Snowtown is literally an invisible dot on the wider plain of the Australian map largely due to some conspicuous architectural oversights. A visible lapse in the city is the absence of gateways that serves the purpose of explicitly publicizing the district to motorist and travelers. It is a source of concern because her strategic location exposes her to thousands of travelers’ enroute to the major neigbouring cities. Like all policy lapses, the cost has been a significant loss of both tourism revenue and the traditional identity of Snowtown. In order to reverse this abysmal trend, my plan proposes the design and implementation of a project that will establish two main gateway signs, to be located in two strategic sites in the town. The overall rationale behind this decision is to present Snowtown to commuters before their entry into the district. It will also serve as a quick reference to what is on offer and where it can be obtained within the premise of the city. The project envisages beyond given the town an aesthetic phase lift to also providing a one stop coordinating network of the town’s iconic and signing outlay. To be incorporated in the project is the construction of public services centers at definite locations within the overall framework of the project. 1.1 INTRODUCTION Snowtown by virtue of her location is the most preferred route for road users commuting to and fro Adelaide and Port Piere. Owing to this significant advantage, it is incumbent on the city planners to identify how to enhance the comparative advantage of this phenomenon within the established context of road transport. A recent survey indicates that, most travelers know little or nothing about this boisterous town besides cruising through it to their intended destinations. The project therefore, desires to embark on a massive publicity campaign that will showcase the township as an appealing tourism destination that will treat visitors to a delightful exhibition of the rich cultural heritage of Snowtown. It will serve as a platform to tap into the vibrant agricultural legacy for which the township is reputed for. In the case of Snowtown, besides the conventional road signage, there is a conspicuous gap in the provision of other equally relevant information outposts that presents the town in a unique fashion with the view of marketing it. In recognition of the above fact, there has been a remarkable move by government in recent times to explore within available provisions to pursue viable programmes that spurs sustainable economic improvement nationwide of which infrastructural development ranks high. The government’s policy is motivated by the knowledge that given the relevant policy backing, cities and towns within the local government and decentralization programme can be challenged under available resources to resuscitate their dormant economic forces and also discover other fallow segments that have hitherto been overlooked. This is the basis upon which, this project is in resonance with an overall national agenda of economic development using infrastructural improvement as a catalyst to achieve this goal. Judging from the above, it cannot be disputed that this project is not only timely, but also connected with the long held value system that defines the township and people of Snowtown. It provides an opportunity to seal the patches that are causing leakages to the economic, social and tourist endowments in the intended project implementation locations. When all is said and done, the project will have immediate benefits to the current generation with rippling effects on posterity. 1.2Project Overview A) Project Title: Showcasing Snowtown using the gateway project B) VISION STATEMENT The project has a long term vision to showcase the town of Snowtown in southern Australia by publicizing what the unique attributes of the township are with respect to what visitors can expect, by designing and erecting a one stop user friendly gateway structure that shows all what is available to visitors. Improving tourism to accelerate economic activities are among the main benefits to be accrued from my proposed project. Within the medium to long term forecast realm the project will enhance the strategic direction of local transportation and infrastructure policies by setting the pace for further innovation in the not too distant future. The strategy incorporates sound contemporary design standards that are in harmony with environmental considerations without either covertly or overtly trespassing on the amenity of the settlement. Upon completion of the proposed project, there will be a noticeable upgrading of the street aesthetics of the community, all to be executed within specified time schedules explicitly defined within the full scope of the plan. Progressively, the implementation will be carried along phases subject to realistic demand driven reviews. It should be stressed that all facets of the project and its implementation are developed principally in fulfillment of three concise thematic areas which include sustainability in economic wise, environmental harmony and of course social progression. Establishing street gateways for Snowtown satisfies all these clauses in absolute totality. C) Organisational objective According to a recent study conducted two years ago for the Local Government Association of SA Transport Advisory Panel and the Federal Department of Transport and Regional Services, it was categorically stated that the Australian Government is seriously determined to encourage the development of strategic regional infrastructure to support industry growth, respond to structural changes and strengthen regional economic and social opportunities Auslink (2006), by sponsoring the Auslink Strategic Regional Funding Programme, that aims at promoting innovation for national development. The above point establishes the line of symmetry between my proposed “gateway project” and national infrastructural policy orientation. More so, like a complex puzzle game, the contents of my essay clearly fit into what is known and accepted as part of best practices in the industry today. Established under a statutory ACT, the Central Local Government Region of South Australia through its regional membership networks have an ambitious target of revising all aspects of the road transport system vis-à-vis infrastructure to facilitate improvements in the economic and tourism sectors of their local communities by opening up their places for investment. In the long term framework this policy will cause huge financial and social returns to the implementing communities. Synthesizing the main ideas of both preceding paragraphs together will reveal a prototype of my overall vision for the community of Snowtown with regards to my envisaged “Gateway Project.” 1.3 THE BUSINESS PROFILE I intend to feel a major architectural gap that is causing millions of dollars to go down the drain. Sadly, it is an area that has never attracted attention by district planners due to the seemingly concealed nature of the benefits to be accrued from my intended street signing project. Underpinning the premise of the signage project is the desire to go beyond the conventional street and traffic labeling to embrace a new area that bears striking operational similarities with the latter phenomenon but differs in terms of the potential benefits and the impact it will make on the wider community. Fundamentally, the project begins by proposing the erection of two major gateways leading into the main township. For strategic reasons, it will be preferable to mount them on both sides of the town linking it the city of Adelaide on one side and the second from the direction connecting the township with the city of Port Piere. By the location of these gateways on these leading highways, I am attracting the attention of commuters through the city by creating an immediate welcoming experience. In addition the perceived visual amenities generated by the gateways will appeal to visitors to stay and have feel of what is on offer in Snowtown. Of course, the information bulletin to be posted on the gateway will guide visitors to the places of great side attractions that were hitherto under utilized. I am also looking at the inherent potential of it serving both as a convenient traffic management tool as well as combine the touch of architectural excellence to beautify the environment. One of the main factors that can draw more visitors is the availability of special public services and places of convenience. Under my project plan, I am proposing the establishment of the above stated facilities at the main frontiers of the township, the simple wisdom being that; by capturing interest of visitors at the entry point, then we can certainly expect a likelihood of the visitors exploring the district further. A) PROJECT FEASIBILITY The difference between the success level of a business plan and a good invention is just a simple question of economics. That is to say that, asking how the risk and cost factors are going to be harmonized in order to yield significant dividend? Conscious of this, in this section I will therefore be taking a dispassionate analysis of what risk factors are contained in this project, measured against my response to make up for some of the perceived deficiencies. I am not oblivious of the cost factor associated with my project, and hence need to put in place the right contingency plan to cater for this sensitive part of the gateway project. Meanwhile, my ultimate goal is to build a system so unique to be efficiently promoted to achieve the desired goals. A cost benefit analysis is often done to evaluate the possible outcome of a financial decision pertaining to an intended investment decision. In the case of my project I have meticulously carried out the financial analysis section and fused it into the project appendix. To this end, I will dedicate the bulk of this section to exhaustively deal with the question of the project feasibility, discussing the project technicalities, commercial and environmental issues. Through the process of due diligence, physical moves will be initiated through the responsible District Council office to secure the project site. B) Project Sponsor In view of the merit in the proposed project, which has spelled out all the working modalities and the description of the provisional information backed by technical evidence, the project will be fully sponsored by the Wakefield Regional Council. All financial plans that follow this proposal are to be reviewed as part of the grant making process. The binding terms of the sponsorship package however comes with the understanding of a firm guarantee to ensure continuity and long term sustainability of the project. 1.4 Situational Assessment and Problem Statement The basic premise describing the benefits to be accrued from the gateway project is the beautiful reward of an aesthetic environment that will be welcoming to visitors. An integral part of the beautification exercise will be a horticultural assessment of the most suitable vegetation and trees if planted could enhance the environmental status of the project site and that of the community in the long run. Directly linked to the environmental consciousness of the project will be the use of solar powered technologies to operate the traffic lights that will be stationed in the project location sites. The traffic lights will momentarily cause commuters to stop, which means chances are that within this short period, the erected gateway can easily be seen and thereby influence a traveler’s decision Gauging from a long term perspective, a person can consider Snowtown a possible destination when considering relocation decisions, perhaps from an urban setting to a serene outskirt. Should this trend continue, we will be approaching the point where increase in demand for land will cause an appreciation of the cost of land leading to an overall establishment of a real value for land, which certainly makes high economic sense. In addition, a cumulative increase in the number of visitors to the town will facilitate the development of both the production and service sectors of the local economy—which means more job will be created. A) Critical Assumptions and constraints Barring all unforeseen circumstances the planning process of the project did heavily depend on practical assumptions in order to facilitate an easy communication of the concept. For instance, the project has extremely relied on the assumption that almost all the people traveling through Snowtown overlook the town because of the absence of such a system as a gateway. Undoubtedly, a traveler can purposefully choose to stop or travel categorically to the town granted he or she indeed has, a pressing issue to attend to in this community. Another area is the over simplicity of the inherent tourist potential boost that will be generated in the community. Though it is a mere assumption, it still does not down play the significance of the merit contained in this assertion. I would also stress that, within the confines and limitations of my expertise, I am unable to single handedly conduct the project from its conception right to its implementation and possible monitoring. It certainly requires the contribution of a stream of experts drawn from diverse backgrounds. The rationale here is to make up for where I am visibly untrained to handle. B) Projected Indicators To guard against needlessly swaying out of the established parameters of the envisaged project, there is the need to have standard regulatory checks that will act as measuring barometers to evaluate success or other wise. The measuring rod will be carved along the defining theme of the project alongside its established objectives. Increase in tourism is one of the projected desired impacts the gateway project will seek to bring to the Snowtown community. A comparative analysis of the average number of visitation to the township predating the period before the project, running through when the project becomes functional can be used as useful evaluation tool. It is also prudent to conduct an empirical survey into the impact of the publicity campaign on the town’s image both domestically and outside her boarders. Physical infrastructural changes in the transport industry should also be measured by this standard. 1.6 Appendix Project: Gateway to Snowtown Developer: District Council of Wakefield Costs Unit Rate Qty Total $ $ Infrastructure Main Gate Item 12,700.0 1.0 12,700.0 Pathways Cast in-situ concrete Kerb m 37.8 520.0 19,656.0 including reinforcement, formwork and surface finish: 150*150mm Storm Water Drains F.R.C non pressure pipe(class-2) with rubber ring joints: 300mm dia m 92.9 100.0 9,290.0 Fences Standard butt jointed paling fences m 44.7 500.0 22,350.0 1500mm high Outdoor Furniture Bench Seats : 2100*625mmwide No. 1,369.1 20.0 27,381.2 Water Supply Lin.m. 78.8 60.0 4,728.0 Water Tank Sectional water tank fabricated from grade 304 stainless steel panels including cover, internal and external access laders, capacity 25000 litres No. 49,593.5 1.0 49,593.5 Solar Lighting, Prime Cost Stand alone solar powered area light Each 5,378.5 2.0 10,756.9 with galvanised lighting column. Dusk to midnight operation- 6.5 m high with security fitting. Bollard type path lighting Point 1,746.3 30.0 52,387.5 Street Lighting Each 628.6 30.0 18,858.0 Bollard,150mm dia. HDG/aluminium, buried in ground: Incandescent 100W Each 419.1 30.0 12,573.0 Landscape Prime Cost Planting , Ground cover including Shrubs including planting (avg. cost) No. planting(avg. cost) Small No. 18.6 300.0 5,580.0 Average No. 45.1 300.0 13,515.0 Large No. 160.7 100.0 16,070.0 Trees including planting (avg. cost): No. Small No. 20.2 400.0 8,080.0 Average No. 62.5 330.0 20,625.0 Large No. 354.8 200.0 70,960.0 Litter Bins Aluminium Bin No. 1,187.4 10.0 11,874.0 Signage Prime Cost Item 10,000 Sculptures Prime Cost @20% 20.00% 79,395.6 Miscellaneous Prime Cost @10% 10.00% 47,637.4 Local Govt fees @2% 2.00% 1,279.9 Design fees, approvals etc @8% 8.00% 5,119.7 SUM 530,410.7 Less Grants Community Benefit SA 40,000.0 Community Heritage Grants 35,000.0 Living in Harmony 30,000.0 Aboriginal and Torrens Strait Islander Arts and Board 28,000.0 Multiculture SA- Multiculture Grant Scheme 35,000.0 Lotterywest Grants 29,540.0 Indigenous Heritage Grants and Funding Programs 65,000.0 262,540.0 TOTAL 267,870.7 Finance Interest on Equity Capital 6.00% Interest on Borrowed Capital 10.50% Equity Ratio 30.00% Expected Yield 3.00% Development Period (months) 12.0 Total Finance Costs 14,665.9 Development Cost 253,204.8 Increased (Overall) Council Rates Rate 0.47% Value 290,000,000.0 % increase due to development 0.62% Annual Value 8,507.7 TOTAL ANNUAL REVENUE 8,507.7 Capitalised Value of Development 283,589.3 Net Development Cost 253,204.8 Developers Profit ($)         30,384.6             Developers Profit (%)       12% References: AusLink legislation: ALGA submission. Viewed from www.alga.asn.au/submissions/2005/auslink20050323.php - 28k Berry, T, 2008. A standard business plan outline, viewed from http://articles.bplans.com/index.php/business-articles/writing-a-business-plan/a-standard-business-plan-outline/ on May 23, 2008 Berry, T, 2008. Writing a mission plan, viewed from http://articles.bplans.com/index.php/business-articles/writing-a-business-plan/a-standard-business-plan-outline/ on May 23, 2008 Berry, T, 2008. Writing an executive plan, viewed from http://articles.bplans.com/index.php/business-articles/writing-a-business-plan/a-standard-business-plan-outline/ Canberran, J, 2008. Albanesse on Snowtown, viewed from http://the-riotact.com/?p=7340 on 24th April 2008 http://www.totaltravel.com.au/travel/sa/clarevalleyarea/wakefield/travel- guides/Destinations/snowtown http://www.totaltravel.com.au/travel/sa/clarevalleyarea/wakefield/directory/attractions What is a business plan? Viewed from www.myownbusiness.org on May 23, 2008. Submission to the Auslink Strategic Regional Programme for consideration by the Local Government Association of SA Transport Advisory Panel and the Federal Department of Transport and Regional Services viewed from centralregion.sa.gov.au/content/docs/Projects/Roads_and_Transport/Auslink_Submission_CLGR_March_2006.pdf Read More