PBC - Economic Diversification Strategic Options Paper - Shire of Ashburton

Client: Gumala Enterprises Pty Ltd

Timeline: 2026

Gumala Enterprises engaged Wander to develop a Strategic Options Paper to support Board-level decision-making on future economic diversification opportunities.

Delivered within a focused two-week timeframe, the project involved targeted market research, strategic analysis, and commercial assessment to identify a range of viable investment and development pathways. Opportunities were explored across multiple sectors, with a focus on aligning potential directions with Gumala’s long-term objectives and governance context.

Each option was assessed using a structured framework, considering commercial viability, risk, capital requirements, operational complexity, and strategic fit. This ensured that a diverse set of opportunities could be compared on a consistent basis, enabling clear and confident decision-making at the Board level.

Rather than recommending a single pathway, the paper was designed as a decision-support tool, outlining the relative strengths, trade-offs, and implementation considerations of each option. This approach provided the Board with a clear understanding of the opportunity landscape without constraining future flexibility.

The final report translated detailed economic and market insights into a practical, governance-ready format, supporting informed discussion and prioritisation of next steps.

The Board responded positively to the work, using the paper to guide its forward direction and approach to investment, economic development, and diversification.

This project highlights Wander’s ability to deliver high-quality strategic planning, feasibility analysis, and investment insight under tight timeframes, supporting organisations to move from complexity to clear, actionable direction.