Our city put on a pedestal
Relocations highlighted
GEELONG has been identified as a “successful” example of decentralisation in a parliamentary report endorsing the relocation of government agencies to regional communities.
In its final report, tabled yesterday, the Select Committee on Regional Development and Decentralisation made 13 recommendations to support and promote regional communities as places to live and work.
The City of Greater Geelong’s transformation from a manufacturing centre to a social insurance hub — through the relocation and establishment of the TAC, NDIA, WorkSafe Victoria and ABS Data Acquisition Centre — was outlined as a case study in support of further decentralisation.
The region’s long-running bid for the relocation of federal agency Comcare was also referenced.
“Geelong’s size, proximity to Melbourne, labour force reach and infrastructure and services provide, in the City of Geelong’s view, solid advantages and opportunities,” the report said.
The committee’s recom- mendations call for greater public and private investment in regional infrastructure, a strategic Commonwealth decentralisation policy, and the introduction of Regional City Deals for rural and regional Australia.
Committee chair, MP Damian Drum, said there is an opportunity to build on the talent and energy that already exists in regional areas.
“Our capital cities are struggling under the pressures of population growth, congestion and high cost of living expenses,” he said.
“Alleviating these problems does not necessarily lie in building more roads, providing more services, and extending the urban sprawl. It rests in the potential and capacity of Australia’s regions.”
The report Regions at the Ready: Investing in Australia’s Future follows a 12-month inquiry into best practice approaches to regional development, the decentralisation of Commonwealth entities and supporting corporate decentralisation.
The committee also recommends the establishment of a permanent parliamentary committee dedicated to examining and progressing the issues affecting rural and regional Australia.