Effective partnerships and regional planning are crucial to securing the growth and prosperity of Australia’s regions, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss told representatives at last week’s Regional Development Australia (RDA) Forum.
“RDAs know their regions extremely well and have an important voice; they play a key role in advising the Australian Government about critical issues affecting their region and priority activities that will drive economic development,” he said.
RDA Sunshine Coast CEO Estella Rodighiero and Deputy Chair Feda Adra attended the two-day forum in Canberra which provided opportunities for RDAs to share their experiences in supporting regional economic development, including their successes, challenges and strategies.
Mrs Rodighiero said the forum’s theme, Working together to strengthen economic growth in our regions, also gave attendees an insight into the methodology used to identify and progress project proposals.
“RDA Sunshine Coast works collaboratively with local stakeholders to drive our regional economy by supporting the development and delivery of projects which respond to economic development and growth, as well as identifying and addressing disadvantage,” she said.
The national forum included presentations from the following Australian Government departments who highlighted their initiatives and policies for regional Australia: Department of Industry and Science, Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, Department of Communications, Department of Education and Training, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.