Once again the General Assembly kicked off with the Regional Cooperation and Development Forum on Sunday 25 November. Delegates discussed issues arising from ALGA’s ‘2001 State of the Regions’ report which was released at the Forum.
“The 2001 State of the Regions report to 700 local Councils and Shires shows unequivocally that we must build learning communities if the widening gap between regions is to be addressed,” said Councillor John Ross, President of ALGA. “The 2001 State of the Regions report clearly proves that those regions building on strong economic growth through increased rates of educational attainment, building IT infrastructure and partnerships between industry, education institutions and Local Government are more likely to have a prosperous future.”
ALGA commissioned National Economics to prepare the report which was presented by Dr Peter Brain, Executive Director of National Economics.
“This year, record levels of rural economic growth have been experienced, particularly in the agricultural sector with export earnings set to increase from $29.2 billion in 2000-01 to $30.4 billion in 2001-02,” Dr Brain said. “Yet the 2001 State of the Regions report shows that this year is as good as it gets.”
Craig Shepherd from National Economics said that the 2001 report indicates that there is a clear connection between structural unemployment and those communities that are failing to engage in learning activities and achieving increased rates of educational attainment.
“Local Government must act as a driver in building strong communities that are socially cohesive and engaged in learning and the acquisition of knowledge if sustainable economic growth is to become a reality for all Australian regions,” Councillor Ross said.
