September 20, 2019
A Select Committee launched on Friday by Federal Parliament will focus on the future of regional Australia.
The Select Committee on Regional Australia will look at the contribution regional Australia makes to the nation’s identity, economy and environment.
South Australian MP Tony Pasin has been appointed chair.
“Regional Australia is more than just our food bowl,” Mr Pasin said.
“Our regions provide enormous opportunities for investment, contribute significantly to our economy and national identity, and provide a quality of life beyond the congestion of our major cities.
‘The committee is keen to examine how regional Australia can grow and prosper in a way that benefits everyone.”
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The Select Committee on Regional Australia has been appointed to inquire into and report on:
- The effectiveness of existing regional service delivery and development programs;
- The contribution and role of regional Australia to our national identity, economy and environment;
- The development of regional centres, cities, towns and districts including promoting master planning of regional communities;
- Private investment in regional centres and regional infrastructure;
- The key drivers for unlocking decentralisation opportunities for both the private and public sectors;
- The competitive advantages of regional location for businesses;
- Investigate the development of capital city size regional centres in strategic locations and the benefits this offers regional cities, capital cities, the Australian economy and lifestyle;
- Examine the potential for new developments, towns and cities to be built in regional Australia;
- Examine international examples of nations which have vast and productive regional areas, which are sparsely populated;
- Examine ways urbanisation can be re-directed to achieve more balanced regional development;
- Identify the infrastructure requirements for reliable and affordable health, education, transport, telecommunications, clean energy, water and waste in a new settlement of reasonable size, located away from existing infrastructure; and
- Consider other measures to support the ongoing growth and sustainability of regional Australia.
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The committee will be accepting submissions to the inquiry until mid-November.
These can be made via the committee’s webpage
