Fast-growing communities in Regional Australia should harness their strengths and identify priority areas for future planning to shape their economic transformation, according to the Regional Strengths and Infrastructure Gaps report released by Infrastructure Australia today.
The Regional Strengths and Infrastructure Gaps report provides government, industry, businesses and the community with a guide to support record migration and further growth, off the back of the 200 per cent increase in growth in Australia’s regional areas in 2019/2020. This regionalisation trend has continued with the first quarter of 2021 being the largest internal migration on record.
In developing this report, Infrastructure Australia partnered with 48 Regional Development Australia committees to conduct extensive consultation on community views. This was supported by engagement with key regional stakeholders, including businesses, peak bodies and industry groups, to help create a picture of each area’s diverse assets, growth industries and infrastructure requirements.
These region-specific reports provide a lens to highlight and understand opportunities and prioritise investment. The Regional Strengths report also looks for commonalities to promote collaboration and knowledge sharing to enable proactive planning led by local communities.
Published alongside an interactive map, the report is a starting point for discussion between all parties to inform further planning, policy and investment solutions. Further consultation is being encouraged with submissions open until 29 April 2022.
“This is the first time a report of this magnitude has been conducted solely on Regional Australia that localises each area’s strengths and opportunities. It provides a foundation of data, knowledge and community perceptions to support future infrastructure planning, decision-making and network governance across the country,” Infrastructure Australia Chair Col Murray said.
“Our consultation highlighted that many regions are eager to capitalise on new opportunities and industries. However, they need to have robust, reliable and resilient infrastructure networks to tap into this growth. Governments at all levels, businesses and communities themselves, have acknowledged the need to address these challenges for many years, but too often they work in isolation.
“With the debut of the Regional Strengths and Infrastructure Gaps, we aim to focus the future effort on mutually acknowledged needs, leveraging the assets of industry and the community, alongside government. However, this report is the beginning, rather than the end of the journey. We hope to encourage all stakeholders to come forward with solutions for local challenges and seize opportunities for growth, innovation and investment,” Mr Murray said.
Chief Executive Romilly Madew said the significant upswing in regionalisation – further accelerated by the pandemic – had compounded pressure on already stretched regional infrastructure assets and networks.
“By drawing out commonalities where they exist, we are aiming to improve information sharing and enable a coordinated, forward-looking view of the challenges and opportunities in Regional Australia. We hope communities embrace the opportunities highlighted in this report and that it becomes a turning point for greater collaboration amongst stakeholders,” Ms Madew said.
Key themes of Regional Strengths and Infrastructure Gaps:
- Realising a regional renaissance – expansion of population brings a need to develop new service models and deliver expected infrastructure to continue growth.
- Shared perspectives in changing regions – identification of common themes: unique impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic; a greater need for proactive planning; major projects to be community-led; a changing social landscape; and First Nations communities’ culture and connection to Country actively considered.
- Capitalising on regional strengths – recognition of existing assets and growth industries that continue to deliver benefit or attract new investment.
Key assets: natural environment, gateway ports, education and research, natural resources, transport, strategic location, cultural heritage, climate and topography; health, water, specialised precincts, energy, defence, and major attractions.
Key industries: agriculture, forestry and fishing, tourism, renewable energy, knowledge sector, health care, social assistance, manufacturing, mining, transport, defence and aerospace.
- Prioritising infrastructure gaps – identification of three to five common priorities: availability, diversity and affordability of housing; water security; mobile and broadband connectivity; access to further education and skills training; and connectivity through transport networks.
- Spotlight on each area – recognition each area’s diversity, opportunities and priorities by the 48 separate reports for further planning and to identify reform and investment options.
Building on recommendations in the 2021 Australian Infrastructure Plan, the Regional Strengths and Infrastructure Gaps report identifies priority challenges and opportunities across Regional Australia. The report was developed through engagement with more than 1,000 stakeholders, including focused engagement in each region.
To read Infrastructure Australia’s report, click here.
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