Communiqués
Regional Development Council
21 October 2005, Coffs Harbour, NSW
Australian and state and territory government ministers responsible for regional development and the Vice President of the Australian Local Government Association met today in Coffs Harbour for the second Ministerial meeting of the Regional Development Ministerial Council (RDC).
Attendance and participation at this meeting in a key regional centre demonstrated the high priority all jurisdictions place on regional economic development and their willingness to share ideas and progress issues collaboratively. The meeting was chaired by the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, the Hon. Warren Truss MP.
The meeting's key themes were the impact of skill shortages in regional Australia; indigenous employment participation in the growing resources sector; investment opportunities for regional Australia; communities facing rapid growth; and improving co-operation between regional development organisations. This communiqué sets out the agreed outcomes of the discussion.
Addressing skill shortages in regional Australia
Ministers agreed to provide input to current Council of Australian Government's (COAG) work on addressing skill shortages. In particular, Ministers will highlight the key findings of RDC work on the regional impact of skill shortages. This includes: the wider effect of skill shortages on regional economies; improving access to Vocational Educational and Training (VET) opportunities and the need for better linkages between VET providers and employers; recognising the benefits of locally based solutions to addressing skill shortages; the impact of skill shortages on small businesses; and the need for reliable data on skill shortages at the regional level.
Much of regional Australia has seen significant development in recent times so that many areas have diversified economically and are experiencing boom conditions. This has produced a range of challenges including those of skill shortages and skill matching. Ministers agreed that supply of appropriate skills is essential to maintain the significant development that has occurred in our regions.
Indigenous participation in the growing resource sector
Ministers agreed that the growing resources industry provided a strong opportunity to increase indigenous employment participation in this sector, particularly in remote communities where significant mining activity is taking place.
Ministers considered a presentation by Mr Brendan Hammond, ex Managing Director of Argyle Mines on this issue. It was agreed that this was a priority area for action and that the RDC would work actively with other COAG Ministerial Councils, industry and community stakeholders to progress greater indigenous participation in the mining sector. Ministers further agreed to focus on those areas where there has been agreement for concerted action between the Mineral Council of Australia, the Australian Government and State and Territory governments.
Attracting investment to regions
Ministers agreed to work with Invest Australia, the Australian Government's inward investment, agency to highlight and promote investment opportunities in regional Australia to foreign investors.
Strategies to support regional manufacturing
Ministers recognised the efforts of various governments to promote economic and business growth within the regions. Ministers also agreed that there is a need to develop a coordinated strategic approach to regional manufacturing closures. It was agreed that work would be undertaken to better coordinate State and Commonwealth responses to manufacturing closures and to pursue opportunities to collaborate in the development of programs and services which improve the competitiveness of existing operations in regional areas.
Framework for co-operation on regional development
Ministers agreed to encourage better cooperative arrangements between state and territory regional development organisations, local government, and the Australian Government's Area Consultative Committees.
Regional development organisations play an important role in the delivering regional outcomes on behalf of Government by developing regional strategic plans and networks and delivering programmes and services. Improvement in the way these organisations work together will benefit regional communities by reducing overlap and duplication and clarifying roles and responsibilities.
Communities facing rapid growth
Ministers discussed issues facing many regions across Australia that are experiencing rapid population growth and noted the work of the Local Government and Planning Ministers Council and other bodies to address the impacts of high population growth on regional communities. RDC members agreed to exchange information on high growth in regions within their jurisdictions to promote better awareness of impacts on regions.
Next meeting
The council agreed to next meet in Alice Springs in July 2006.
