Antipathy between the country and the city can be quite marked in Australia. Although we are one of the most urbanised lands in the world, much of our cultural identity has been derived from rural themes. The City of Canning in Western Australia aims to encourage an exchange of goodwill, ideas, trade and commerce between the city and country in a program titled ‘Getting to Know You’.
Canning, located 10 kilometres south of Perth’s CBD, launched the program in the lead up to Local Government Week in 1995. It initially included Bunbury, Kellerberrin, Merredin, Roebourne and Port Hedland. These Councils took the opportunity to feature their area’s attributes through displays at Canning’s three main shopping centres.
Underpinning the project is the development of a central database, which gives businesses, local Chambers of Commerce and public sector organisations the opportunity to list their products and services. A large number of organisations have joined the database and the list is growing. Regular telephone hook ups maintain interest and help advance the project.
Since its inception, project participants believe it has improved the knowledge of products available in their regions, has inspired greater interaction between urban and rural dwellers, and promoted tourism, agriculture and mining interests. It allows a quick means of sourcing specialist skills, knowledge and products and identifies shared circumstances and conditions where communities can benefit from others’ prior experience.
Plans are underway to hold further events leading up to Local Government Week this year, with many more local authorities expressing a desire to participate. Interest has been shown outside Western Australia with other Councils seeking to establish a similar project in their own States.
For further information contact the City of Canning on (09) 231 0606.
