Regional promotion at national level

Speculation about regional investment opportunities that might emerge in a post-covid landscape continues to develop after a meeting involving national private-sector leaders.

Prospects for regional growth across the country – a key focus of Wimmera development, municipal and community leaders – was the subject of a second Regional Australia Council 2031 meeting.

Federal Decentralisation and Regional Education Minister Andrew Gee addressed the virtual meeting, part of a push to support development, investment and prosperity of regional Australia.

“I was delighted to address the

RAC2031, especially given the group’s strong focus on regionalisation and regional jobs,” he said.

“Getting more folks to move to the country has been a priority for the Coalition Government since 2013.

“We’ve been encouraging government agencies to relocate parts of their operations to country Australia.

“However, there remains significant room to build upon and broaden our decentralisation agenda, particularly when it comes to attracting corporate organisations, sole traders and professionals to the regions.”

Mr Gee said it was critical government continued to work closely with industry to remove impediments preventing individuals and businesses from relocating.

“This especially applies to now, as people across Australia realise that working from home is possible and are considering a ‘tree change’,” he said.

Wimmera

Hindmarsh mayor and long-time municipal leader Rob Gersch said in early May he believed people’s desire for ‘quality of life’ would open a growth-opportunity door for Wimmera-mallee communities.

He said at the time a major revelation to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic was broad confirmation that many one-person or family businesses could work efficiently online from their homes.

He also stressed a measured and driven approach would be critical in making the most of the opportunity.

Mr Gee said Australia Regional Council 2031 would play an important role in developing the plans and resources to help corporate organisations and employees make the move and call regional Australia home.

He said creating the right conditions and policy framework for private companies to invest in the regions was paramount.

Regional Australia Institute, an independent ‘think tank’ focused on regional Australia, is also a key promotional player at a national level.

Institute chief executive Liz Ritchie said a megacity outlook in Australia was far from fixed.

“Australians have alternatives and people want choice about where they can build their future,” she said. “COVID-19 has changed the way we all live and work.

“It has fast-tracked the acceptance of working from home or even another location. People can now live where they love, not where they work.

“Our corporate members are already reporting a 20 percent increase in workforce productivity since COVID-19 began earlier this year – because of changes to workplace flexibility.

“We know there is a great opportunity here and we look forward to working with Minister Gee and his government to develop our national awareness campaign to promote working, living and investing in regional Australia.”