Regional Australia Summit Steering Committee hands down final Report
Prospects are improving for regional Australia, according to the Regional Australia Summit Steering Committee Chair, Professor John Chudleigh. Professor Chudleigh delivered the Committee’s final report to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Development, John Anderson recently, reviewing the Federal Government’s response to the Summit’s 247 recommendations.
The report found the Federal Government has acted on manykeyrecommendations in achieving greater equity of services, and in economic and business development and community empowerment.
It also provided advice on additional avenues for policy development.
The $700 million National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality, $562 million Rural Health Initiative, $309 million extension of the Agriculture – Advancing Australia package, $240 million Stronger Families and Community Strategy, $90 million Regional Solutions Programme and key communications initiatives funded through Networking the Nation and other programmes help address some of the key concerns raised during the Summit.
The $1.6 billion Roads to Recovery Programme is also a significant step in addressing infrastructure needs.
Some of the report’s recommendations for further action were in areas such as community capacity-building, delivery of government programmes and services, investment in regional infrastructure, encouraging business innovation, natural resource management, and improving education and training, communications and family services.
The Committee’s articulation of the needs and aspirations of regional Australians has helped to shape the Government’s thinking on rural and regional issues.
Addressing regional disadvantage will continue to be a priority for the Coalition Government if regional Australians are to have access to the same standards of living, levels of service and opportunities that people living in metropolitan areas have come to expect.
The Summit Committee also points to the critical role local governments have to play in the future development of regional Australia.
Many of the report’s recommendations call for the leadership and participation of those at the coalface of regional development.
Copies of the report are available from Countrylink (freecall 1800 026 222) or via the Internet at www.dotrs.gov.au/regional/summit/index.htm
