The fortunes of regional cities received a boost when mayors from around the country converged on Parliament House Canberra in June to formally launch Australian Regional Cities. Australian Regional Cities is a dynamic group of 28 municipalities from regional Australia that has come together to seek support from political parties and candidates in the lead up to the Federal election.With membership from Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, Australian Regional Cities represents more than 1.68 million people. This equates to 23 per cent of the population living outside of the capital cities.
Chair of the group is Wangaratta Rural City Mayor, Councillor Irene Grant, who is positive about the outcomes that can be achieved.
“Australian Regional Cities was formed because we felt that we could only achieve positive results for our communities by generating critical mass around the country and speaking with one voice,” Councillor Grant said.
As a Local Government group, Australian Regional Cities is focusing on three key areas for action – regional economic development, infrastructure management and population change.
“Regional cities are important centres of economic, social and cultural activities,” she said. “Not only do we support and provide for those who live in the cities, we are also there to support many of the surrounding communities. Our cities are already doing much for rural and regional Australia but we have the capacity to do a lot more if the Federal Government can support and help us grow.”
Australian Regional Cities has identified the following specific projects to achieve better outcomes.
The range of projects includes:
- establishing a specific Regional Economic Development Fund for regional cities
- providing a range of immediate and long term funding solutions for infrastructure development in regional cities
- developing and committing to population targets in Australia’s regional cities and ensure sustainable population growth in these areas.
A series of briefings with Federal MPs has commenced and the group expects more discussion leading up to the Federal election.
“We are looking forward to continuing a constructive and open dialogue with representatives from all sides of the political spectrum in the coming months.” Councillor Grant said.
