The fifth Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia (SEGRA) national conference is being hosted by the City of Thuringowa, in tropical north Queensland from 10-12 September at Jupiters Hotel and Casino, Townsville.
With an impending Federal election, regional issues are firmly back on the policy agenda.The theme for the 2001 conference is Regions Driving Decision Making: Raising Regional Profiles.
SEGRA 2001 will focus on how regions need to be more proactive in influencing decision makers in both government and the increasingly demanding corporate sector, to ensure regional issues and interests are clearly understood by key decision makers.
“Local Government, with its knowledge of both urban and rural regions, experience of a variety of forms of regional governance, ‘grass roots’ networks and involvement in direct delivery of services, is pivotal to ensuring regional sustainability and positive responses to emerging international economic, social and environmental trends,” said Belinda Chipperfield from the SEGRA Conference Secretariat.
“To make a real difference, those in regions need to make connections across the community, manage multiple organisational boundaries, and understand international and national trends to develop coherent strategies that can really be implemented.
“That is why the SEGRA program has an emphasis on local governance, strategic alliances and consultation processes, through our special range of workshops and facilitated discussion sessions on real skill development.”
“An important addition for SEGRA 2001 will be a pre conference forum facilitated by Dr Nic Economou from Monash University on ‘Lobbying for Regions: Strategies and Steps’ to focus on how to really influence decision makers.”
SEGRA is regarded as the premier forum for discussing the real issues and range of solutions for regional Australia.
For further information including those wanting to offer papers or case studies contact Belinda Chipperfield on (07) 3210 0021 email mansol@bigpond.com or visit the website at www.users.bigpond.com/mansol/segra
