Through the Regional Australis Institute’s continued dedication to regional Australia, the RAI has highlighted the boundless potential of our regions which, if unlocked, would lead to a strong regional Australia and a stronger, more balanced nation.
The RAI terms this ‘regionalisation’ which looks to tackling the challenges of regional Australia in a holistic way, presented within our recently launched Regionalisation Ambition 2032 – a Framework to Rebalance the Nation (the Framework).
The Framework focuses on regional housing, education, health, jobs and skills, digital inclusion, transport, childcare, migration, climate, innovation and the resilience of regional communities, as well as population.
I had the honour of facilitating a discussion on regionalisation at our Regions Rising National Summit in mid-September with Jennifer Westacott AO CEO Business Council Australia, Professor Nicholas Klomp Vice Chancellor and President CQUniversity, Alexi Boyd CEO Council of Small Business Organisations Australia and Cr Daniel Moloney Chair Regional Capitals Australia.
All panellists agreed that collaboration; coordination amongst decision-makers in government, industry and regional communities; and the need for regional voice and representation are vital to achieving the Framework’s targets.
A holistic, place-based approach to planning for the regions is key to success.
Our Framework highlights that regional people do not want to be told, they want to be heard. Professor Klomp reiterated the need for a regional voice and representation in decision-making and policy design.
“If nothing else, we have to be heard and regional Australia needs to be at the top table every single time.”
Australia has become one of the most urbanised nations in the world, with nearly two thirds of our population living in capital cities. Over 70 percent of new population growth happens in our capital cities and 80 percent of new migrants settle in our capitals. Sydney and Melbourne are on track to be ‘mega cities’ by 2056 and Brisbane and Perth are close behind.
Global research and experience is clear, this is not the best path for the quality of life of Australians nor for the productivity and health of our nation.
Jennifer Westacott agreed that ‘rebalance’ is the right word chosen for the Framework. “If you really want to unlock the country’s potential, you have to do it not just in the major cities but in our regions.”
Ms Westacott commented that a more focussed and coordinated approach to investment is needed. She strongly advocated for regional Australia to get organised; to coordinate with one another and look for projects that could potentially link regions.
Alexi Boyd emphasised the importance of funding that supports the connection and collaboration within and amongst regions and injecting local understanding by businesses and community leaders into strategic planning. “Small business often can be strategic for the future of their community, such as for migration, or the skills they need” Alexi stated, and went on to highlight the importance of place-based approaches, recognising that what is good for one area may not be so for another. Each region will have its own strengths to bring to its regional and economic development strategic planning.
Cr Daniel Moloney supported the Framework’s call for a national population policy which would better assist regional planning in the future, believing the time is now for re-thinking our nation’s future - “we have to capitalise on this unique opportunity, this nation will be rethinking its heart and its soul and its identity in the coming months and years….and there is an opportunity as well [for regional Australia] that comes from this”.
As highlighted by our panellists, for regionalisation to be truly realised, there needs to be a collective effort, a national movement.
“The more we succeed in this, the faster we succeed in the future,” Professor Klomp concluded.
The RAI are calling on government at every level, industry, community sector and regional communities alike to “make a pledge” and support the movement to Rebalance the Nation.
I am thrilled to share that the Business Council of Australia has committed to making a pledge to support the movement.
Regionalisation not only lifts and strengthens our regions, ensuring equal opportunity among all Australians, it drives the nation’s overall prosperity. Regionalisation will lead to a more prosperous, inclusive and balanced nation. It's time to Rebalance the Nation.