The Marshall Liberal Government has today reinforced its commitment to regional South Australia with the opening of consultation on the formation of a state-wide Regional Development Strategy.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Tim Whetstone said the strategy would deliver a government plan for future investment, support and priorities to shape the future of the state’s regions over the long term.
“We recognise that South Australia’s regions and the communities that live and work in them are crucial for the future prosperity of our state as a whole,” said Minister Whetstone.
“The former government had no strategic, whole-of-government approach to economic and social development to support growth and opportunity in regional South Australia.
“We believe this is a necessary step to ensure regional South Australia maintains and grows its economic capability and supports people in their decision to live in regional areas.
“Labor ignored the regions for 16 years. The Marshall Liberal Government understands the importance of Regional South Australia and this strategy will help with continued growth for future generations.
“A consultation process has opened which will give key stakeholders, communities and individuals a voice in the formation of a Regional Development Strategy.
“A discussion paper has been developed which provides a number of key questions to be considered for the strategy’s development. Input received will help shape the direction of the strategy.
“I have appointed an independent Community Advisory Panel to assist in the consultation and development of the Regional Development Strategy.
“This is an important measure to ensure the engagement process effectively canvasses feedback on the questions posed in the discussion paper.”
Responses to the discussion paper will be accepted online and by mail. In addition, a number of regional stakeholder and community forums will be held across the state where key regional stakeholders and community members will have the opportunity to provide feedback to the Panel.
The Community Advisory Panel consists of regional industry representatives Mark Sutton, Bill Spurr, Tony Vaughan, Sam Telfer, Maree Wauchope and Jeremy Conway. Profiles of these panel members are available at www.pir.sa.gov.au/regionaldevelopmentstrategy
The consultation closes on Friday 26 July 2019. For further information and to participate in the consultation visit www.yoursay.sa.gov.au/regional-development
Stakeholder and community forums will be held at the following locations:
- 12 June – Murray Bridge Golf Club, Murray Bridge
- 18 June – Aurora Ozone Hotel, Kingscote
- 20 June – Nuriootpa Vine Inn, Nuriootpa
- 24 June – Port Lincoln Hotel, Port Lincoln
- 2 July – Commodore on the Park, Mount Gambier
- 3 July – Town Hall, Naracoorte
- 5 July – Renmark Hotel, Renmark
- 10 July – Ceduna Foreshore Hotel, Ceduna
- 12 July – McCracken Country Club, Victor Harbor
- 15 July – Copper Coast Sports and Leisure Centre, Kadina
- 18 July – Roxby Motor Inn, Roxby Downs
- 23 July – Memorial Sporting Complex, Port Pirie
- 24 July – Central Oval Community Sporting Complex, Port Augusta
- 25 July – Westland Hotel Motel, Whyalla
