Regional Cities Set to Swell – Mayor asks Government: “Where the bloody hell are ya?”
Regional Capitals Australia (RCA) today applauded the release of a new report highlighting Australia’s regional cities are set to swell, with the potential to add $375 billion per year to the nation’s bottom line by 2031.
The report also highlighted that the shared economies of Australia’s regional cities have the potential to grow by 65 per cent by 2031 – if the right investment takes place to support business investment.
Regional Capitals Australia – Statement on Federal Budget 2017-18
Regional Capitals Australia (RCA) tonight welcomed the Federal Government’s 2017-18 budget that included regional funding for community infrastructure, jobs and commuter and freight rail projects.
RCA Chair, Mayor Shane Van Styn stated the investments announced tonight were fundamental to ensuring regional capital cities continue to grow as well as service the smaller rural towns that surround them.
Want Stronger Regions? Build Strong Regional Cities Says RCA Chair
Regional Capitals Australia (RCA) Chair, Mayor Shane Van Styn has said the Australian Government should act quickly to announce the next round of regional city deals to address the issues highlighted in today’s release of the Productivity Commission’s Transitioning Regional Economies report.
Commissioned by Treasurer, the Hon. Scott Morrison, the Commission’s report aimed to understand the impact of transitioning regional economies following the resources boom.
Regional Capitals Gains Seat on National Cities Group
Regional Capitals Australia (RCA) today welcomed the announcement by the Assistant Minister for Cities, The Hon Angus Taylor that our Chair, Mayor Shane Van Styn was named as an expert member of the new Cities Reference Group.
Mayor Van Styn said he was honoured by the historic announcement, stating the appointment was the first time the voice of regional capital cities would be heard in a national urban forum.
Regional Capitals Welcomes Regional Taskforce Announcement
Regional Capitals Australia (RCA) has today welcomed the Australian Government’s announcement of a Regional Australia Ministerial Taskforce to be chaired by the Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
The Prime Minister will be joined by his colleagues Minister for Regional Development, Regional Communications and Local Government, Fiona Nash as Deputy Chair, in addition to Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce, Education Minister Simon Birmingham, Health Minister Greg Hunt, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Darren Chester, Industry Minister Arthur Sinodinos, Resources and Northern Australia Minister Matt Canavan and Employment Minister Michaelia Cash.
Metropolitan projects heavy on latest Infrastructure Priority List
Infrastructure Australia has released its latest Infrastructure Priority List, which provides independent, evidenced-based advice to governments and industry on projects that will most benefit Australia’s rapidly growing population.
Upon early analysis of the list (released February 27), RCA notes a marginal rise in projects that impact regional Australia, however the ongoing majority of the projects prioritised are designed to combat the crippling congestion problems of Australia’s ever-growing capital cities. Read more
City central focus and performance data crucial to transitioning regions study
A Productivity Commission study into ‘transitioning regional economies’ has provided a timely opportunity for RCA to remind policy makers that there should be a growing focus on urban regional Australia if declining productivity is to be addressed.
All cities that work are economic assets, and making the most of these assets can only occur if regional capital cities (RCCs) are adequately planned for, funded and their performance measured. Read more
RCA budget submission calls for programs to fuel connectivity and liveability
RCA recently lodged a 2017-18 Federal Budget submission calling for new and existing funding programs that will allow regional capital cities to be connected and liveable.
Regional capital cities can play a critical role in the future prosperity of Australia. To ensure that the most is made of the opportunities available in regional economies, RCA has called on the government to adopt funding streams that will allow our cities to be:
- Connected – with high speed broadband, roads, rail, ports and airports; and
- Liveable – with local access to tertiary education, health, sporting facilities, arts, and culture centres.
RCA submits recommendations for regional City Deals assessment
Regional Capitals Australia has submitted its recommendations for the Government’s competitive process of the upcoming Regional City Deals program.
The submission was developed in conjunction with feedback from RCA members, and includes case studies on four RCA member cities: the City of Greater Geraldton, City of Ballarat and Cities of Albury-Wodonga. Read more