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City dwellers eye a better life in Regional Capitals

Regional Capitals Australia (RCA) has today welcomed new research showing two in five people living in Australian state capitals were considering a move to a regional area.

The research, commissioned by the Regional Australia Institute (RAI), found the number of people looking to relocate to the regions had doubled to 40% over the past 18 months. Its release coincides with the launch yesterday of the RAI’s Year 2 Progress Report on the Regionalisation of Australia.

Deputy Chair of RCA, Mayor Peter Carter, said the findings were welcome news for Australia’s regional capitals, but housing supply was a bottleneck that needed urgent action.

“Regional capitals are eager to grow and this report today confirms what all our member cities already know: regional capitals really are the best place to be,” Mayor Carter said.

“It is easy to understand why people are considering a move from congested, crowded metropolitan areas to regional cities,” Mayor Carter said.

“All of our members are 10-minute cities, meaning you can anywhere in less time than it takes you to order a coffee in the metropolitan capitals,” Mayor Carter said.

“However, the ability to make the most of this mood for change cannot be realised if we don’t get in front of our housing needs,” Mayor Carter said.

According to Domain Research, the residential vacancy rate in regional Australia was 0.8% in February this year, while a recent survey by RCA found 87% of its members agreed a critical bottle neck in the housing market was the lack of development-ready land.

RCA has welcomed announcements from both the Federal Government and Coalition where housing enabling funds to support housing developments can begin the task of getting more families into homes.

RCA is also advocating for a Housing Innovation Program that would fast-track innovative approaches to housing projects that can get more diverse housing options into our member cities, improving supply chain issues and affordability of housing in regional capitals.

“Regional migration is good for the whole nation: it eases population pressures in the metropolitan areas and builds demand for services and infrastructure in the regions,” Mayor Carter said.

“Housing availability is the biggest roadblock to our growth and holds back people from making a sea or tree change,” Mayor Carter said.

“We want to work with governments to ensure we can accommodate everyone who decides to make a new life in our regional cities,” he said.

“We need to act quickly as a nation or this opportunity will be lost.”

Mayor Carter said another key element of increasing the supply of houses was to address the skills shortage.

“Regional cities are asking for more skilled migrants and greater investment, scholarships and subsidies for in-demand trades and professions. Prospective students in regional cities are also looking for vocational training close to home,” Mayor Carter said.

Mayor Carter also said the cost-effectiveness of social and affordable housing would be increased if GST was removed from council housing investments.

“Government investment in boosting housing supply in regional centres is a win-win situation: our regional cities grow and prosper, while life in the state capitals becomes a little less stressful and frantic for those who live there,” he concluded.

To read RCA’s 2025-26 Pre-budget Submission, click here

1 Domain.com.au Research Vacancy rates: February 2024
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An invitation to our Annual General Meeting

All RCA members are invited to attend the 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held on Tuesday December 10 from 4-5pm AEDT.

The meeting will be held virtually.

We will share our work and achievements over the past 12 months and an election of board positions will be held for the coming year.

To reserve your place, click here.

At the meeting and in line with the constitution, all positions will be declared vacant.  The following executive positions will be available for nomination:   

  • Chairperson
  • Deputy Chairperson
  • Secretary, and
  • Treasurer. 

In addition to these positions, nominations from current members will also be sought for State Representatives from:

  • New South Wales
  • Victoria
  • Queensland
  • Western Australia
  • Northern Territory, and
  • South Australia.

Nominations can be submitted by writing to the Regional Capitals Australia Secretariat via secretariat@regionalcapitalsaustralia.org. Please include your name and desired position in the email. 

Nominations should be submitted prior to Tuesday 26 November 
2024 to allow for inclusion in the AGM pack, however nominations will also be accepted on the day.

All member councils are encouraged to attend and participate in the election of a new Board. Interested parties have the option to attend as an observer.  

For more information, please contact secretariat@regionalcapitalsaustralia.org.

Click here to register for the 2024 Annual General Meeting.

The Regional Australia Institute’s National Summit 2024 – the New Frontier

RCA Chair Cr Kylie King (above, second from the right) was among the key speakers at the Regional Australia Institute’s 2024 National Summit held in Canberra in August.

The two-day Summit, held at the National Convention Centre, brought together 420 delegates from Government, industry and regional communities to discuss issues and challenges impacting the regions.

Cr King was a panellist for a session entitled The Big Regions: Purposeful Population Growth.

Cr King told delegates that regional capitals were now growing at the fastest rate in history, a change fuelled by the shift towards remote working.

This change to work practices brought new skills and opportunities to the regional capitals, and helped to diversify our communities and local economies, she told the Summit.

Cr King said population growth did place pressure on key services and infrastructure, particularly house and health services.

Cr King said sustainable population growth was welcome, but regional cities needed more consistent Government funding to ensure we could support that growth. 

Also during the Summit, The Regional Australia Institute released its research report, Towards Net Zero: Empowering Regional Communities.

The report looks at the community dynamics, barriers and enabling factors that support mid-sized regional Australian communities in their transition to net zero.

Spotlight on City of Port Lincoln Mayor Diana Mislov

Diana Mislov was elected Mayor of the City of Port Lincoln in 2022.

A Port Lincoln local, Diana is also an accountant and business consultant and has served in voluntary roles on community, multicultural and other committees and boards for more than 30 years.

Diana was named the City of Port Lincoln’s Citizen of the Year in 2012 and the South Australian Regional Award Winner for Community Individual for Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula in 2014. 

Q: How is your community changing and what is driving the growth in the City of Port Lincoln?

A: Port Lincoln is experiencing changes driven by growth in key sectors such as aquaculture, tourism, and renewable energy. Our reputation as the “Seafood Capital of Australia” attracts investment and visitors, contributing to a thriving local economy and increasing population.  Additionally, the community is increasingly focused on sustainability, which is influencing our development initiatives and aligning with broader environmental goals.  Our tourism sector is boosted by seasonal cruise ship visitation, Port Lincoln being awarded for being the ‘most welcoming’ city, as well as our Visitor Information Centre receiving both state and national tourism awards. 

Q: What are the most significant infrastructure challenges facing Council over the next 5 years and how are you adapting to meet those challenges?

A: The City of Port Lincoln faces several significant infrastructure challenges, including:

  • Renewal of the Marina Service Wharf: This state government responsibility requires renewal at a substantial cost and is essential for supporting the largest fishing fleet in the Southern Hemisphere.
  • Improvement of Stormwater Management Systems: Enhancements are needed to reduce the prevalence of flooding that results in property damage, mitigate the impact on water quality in Proper and Boston Bays, and improve resilience to severe weather events.
  • Renewal of Rail Infrastructure: Reinstatement of rail in the Eyre Peninsula is necessary due to the significant number of heavy vehicle freight movements through the centre of Port Lincoln, which impacts road conditions and poses safety risks for both vehicles and pedestrians.
  • Water Security: Ensuring a reliable potable water source is critical. This will require the construction of a climate-independent water source, such as a desalination plant, in an appropriate location by the state government to meet future demand. Further development in the Eyre Peninsula is significantly hampered by the lack of a sustainable water source with current ground water sources likely to be restricted in the near future.

To meet these challenges, we are:

  • Prioritising strategic planning,
  • Seeking federal and state funding and advocating for a state government response, and
  • Fostering partnerships with local stakeholders to implement effective and sustainable solutions.

Q: What are the main priorities for the City of Port Lincoln right now?

A: Our current priorities include:

  • Strategic Plan Review 2025-2034: Ensuring our plans meet the needs of the community and support future growth.
  • Housing Development: Addressing the local housing shortage by promoting diverse and affordable options.
  • Infrastructure Improvements: Focusing on stormwater management, advocating for the renewal of the commercial wharf, enhancing rail infrastructure, and ensuring water security through the development of a desalination plant.
  • Childcare and Aged Care Shortages: Tackling the shortages in these critical areas to support families and ensure our aging population has access to necessary services.
  • Community Engagement: Actively involving residents in decision-making processes to promote transparency and collaboration.

Q: How do you see the role of regional capitals in the broader context of Australia’s growth?

A: Regional capitals are vital to Australia’s growth, serving as economic and cultural hubs that support surrounding communities.

Regional Capitals Australia plays an essential role in advocating for the interests of these regions at the federal level, emphasising the importance of strategic investment and infrastructure development.

By fostering collaboration, innovation, and resilience, regional capitals can drive sustainable development and enhance regional well-being, significantly contributing to Australia’s overall growth strategy.

Welcome to the City of Port Lincoln

Regional Capitals Australia is delighted to welcome a new member, the City of Port Lincoln in South Australia.

The City of Port Lincoln sits on the southern tip of the Eyre Peninsula, around 650 kilometres west of Adelaide.

The municipality is home to more than 15,000 people, encompasses an area of more than 30 km2 and sits on the shores of one of the world’s largest protected harbours.

The City of Port Lincoln is known as the seafood capital of Australia for its natural deep harbour, large commercial fishing fleet, nutrient-rich waters and aquaculture industry.

The region’s natural beauty, including Boston Bay and the foreshore, continues to build Port Lincoln’s reputation as a desirable tourism destination, with a growing number of cruise ships choosing to visit.

The region produces half of South Australia’s wheat, barley and oil seed, which are exported through Port Lincoln’s wharf. The top three employment sectors are health care and social assistance, retail trade, and agriculture, forestry and fishing.

Regional Migration Review Submission

Regional Capitals Australia has put its case to the Federal Government to make changes to regional visas to re-balance the spread of skilled migrants across Australia.

The Federal Government’s immigration program allowed businesses and employers in regional capital cities to address growing skills gaps by encouraging skilled workers to settle in regional Australia.

In RCA’s submission to the Federal Government’s review of regional migration settings, RCA has recommended reforms designed to increase migration to regional areas to meet labour force shortages in skilled, unskilled and seasonal labour.

The RCA has made seven recommendations in response to the review of regional migration to support the growth of migration to regional areas. They include:

  • Update the definition of ‘regional’ under visa settings is updated to exclude metropolitan cities like Perth and Adelaide;
  • Expand the Working Holiday Maker program to include tourism, hospitality and health sectors across regional areas; and
  • Improve the Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) program to simplify the system and ensure it is fit for purpose.

We believe these changes to regional visas will encourage more new arrivals to settle in areas beyond the state capitals to fill job vacancies. This helps local services to be delivered and ensure regional economies remain robust and diverse, stimulating economic growth.

Submissions have now closed.

Read our submission here.

Aviation White Paper

The Federal Government’s Aviation White Paper: Towards 2050 was released at the end of August as Regional Express, or Rex, entered voluntary administration.

At its September meeting, the Secretariat presented the RCA board with a summary of the White Paper and its implications for our membership.

RCA’s submission on the Aviation Green Paper submitted last December highlighted a regional airport was one of the hardest working assets in any community. 

Despite largely being owned and operated by Local Government, the facilities allow State and Federal Governments to deliver services that range from healthcare, emergency services and border protection, as well as connecting agriculture, tourism and mining to broader opportunities.

The submission further highlighted that the recent administration of both REX and Bonza airlines increased vulnerability of regional aviation and asked the Government to heed the warning of ongoing challenges to the viability of these assets. 

The board noted three of RCA’s recommendations were reflected among the policy initiatives in the Federal Government’s new vision for the aviation sector.

These were:

  • Implementing a policy recognising the importance of regional airports in increasing the connectivity of regional Australia and to consider future planning and funding of regional airports;
  • Re-establishing of the Regional Airports Program (RAP) for $40 million over 3 years from 2024-2025 (the RCA submission had recommended $500 million over four years); and 
  • The Western Australia Strategic Airport Asset and Financial Management system was referenced in the White Paper as a basis of the now required assessment management frameworks for regional airports to access funding.

Australians who live in regional capitals and in rural and remote areas rely on a strong and sustainable regional aviation sector to bridge vast distances and to stay connected. 

To increase the sector’s efficiency, RCA’s position is:

  • Regional airports need to be sufficiently funded and the federal government should play its part in this arrangement;
  • The burden of security costs should be reduced to create an equitable arrangement that worked for both regional and metropolitan customers; and
  • The competitiveness of regional aviation needs to be  examined and improved.

Our advocacy work to secure further Government funding for regional airports will continue.

Read our submission here.

Read the Aviation White Paper here.

August Delegation Overview

Pictured above at Parliament House are (from left to right) Mayor of City of Karratha Mayor Daniel Scott, Mayor of the City of Greater Geelong Cr Trent Sullivan, Mayor of the City of Albury and RCA Chair Cr Kylie King, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, the Hon. Dan Tehan, Mayor of the Town of Port Hedland and RCA Deputy Chair Mayor Peter Carter, and Mayor of Griffith City Council Cr Doug Curran.

Regional Capitals Australia took regional advocacy to Parliament House, Canberra, where our board met with Government, Opposition and Departmental officials. Meetings were held with;

  • The Hon. Kristy McBain, MP:  Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and the Territories;
  • The Hon. Dan Tehan MP:  Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship;
  • The Hon. Darren Chester MP Shadow Minister for Regional Education, Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Shadow Minister for Local Government and Territories;
  • The Office of the Hon. Peter Dutton, MP: Leader of the Opposition; and
  • The Hon. Paul Fletcher MP: The Office of the Manager of Opposition Business, Shadow Minister for Science, Arts, Government Services and the Digital Economy.

The discussions covered RCA’s policy priorities, opportunities for collaboration and recognition of the role of regional capitals.

We provided an overview of RCA’s position on:

  1. Regional migration: specifically the need to maintain Designated Area Migration Agreements and expand the roll of working holiday visas to include hospitality and health;
  2. Regional aviation: specifically increasing funding for regional airports, highlighting the inequitable security arrangements and the importance of protecting regional aviation in light of both REX and Bonza airlines administration; and
  3. Local infrastructure: specifically having mechanisms to directly fund local government for roads and community infrastructure which is fundamental to thriving regional capital cities.

We will continue to engage with the Ministers, Shadow Ministers and officials to further our policy priorities.

From the Chair – Spring 2024

The start of spring signalled an end to a busy period for the board and Regional Capitals Australia members.

In August, we had a successful delegation to meet Federal Government Ministers and Shadow Ministers in Canberra.

I had the opportunity to take our message to a wider audience at the National Convention Centre for the Regional Australia Institute’s National Summit. The Summit was a great opportunity to share our ideas with and hear from others who engaged deeply with regional Australia and the issues we face.

On the policy front, the RCA lodged its submission to the Federal Government’s Review of Regional Migration Settings. Our seven recommendations focussed on ways to secure our fair share of migration to regional areas to help our regional capital cities grow and thrive.

In September, the Federal Government released its Aviation White Paper. We were particularly pleased to see several of our recommendations reflected in the final policy document, however note that the Paper did not address key challenges like security arrangements which are burdensome for regional airports.  We also await the future of REX airlines as administrators work through the detail.

We are pleased to welcome Port Lincoln as the newest member of Regional Capitals Australia.  We’ll introduce you to Port Lincoln’s Mayor Diana Mislov and tell you a little about what makes Port Lincoln one of our great regional capitals later in the newsletter.

Registrations are now open for our Annual General Meeting in December. The link to book your place at the virtual AGM is near the end of the newsletter. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible for one last time in 2024.

For our New South Wales members, Council elections took up much of our focus in September and October. I want to send my congratulations to everyone who was re-elected. To those who won’t be returning to serve as Councillors or will no longer be their Council’s RCA representative, I want to thank you for all that you have done for Regional Capitals Australia. Your commitment and hard work is valued and together we have achieved much for our communities.

Also some news from me, this will be my last newsletter as RCA Chair.

As I reflect on my tenure I am proud to have represented RCA as a pre-eminent regional Federal advocacy organisation with a 13-year history of putting the needs of regional cities on the National policy and funding agenda.

In the halls of Federal Parliament, the term ‘regional capital’ has become synonymous with regional cities that are not only highly liveable and productive but are also experiencing a new wave of growth. 

I am proud that we have advocated for regional funding programs that have been a fit for our member cities like the newly established Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program, the re-establishment of the Regional Airports Program and the Housing Support Program.

We have been making the case for better consultation as the renewables boom rolls out and a better share of skills as the Government considers regional migration settings and for recognition that being a service hub means local government’s in regional capitals are delivering services and infrastructure that our metropolitan counterparts are not.

I have also welcomed Goulburn-Mulwaree Council, City of Palmerston, and City of Port Lincoln as new members. I look forward to seeing you all for my last time as RCA Chair at our AGM in December to thank you in person for your support and to celebrate what we’ve achieved so far for our cities.

Kind regards,


Cr Kylie King

Chair, Regional Capitals Australia

RCA welcomes Federal Opposition’s Housing Infrastructure Programme

Regional Capitals Australia has welcomed the pre-election commitment from the Federal Liberal-National Coalition to allocate $5 billion to housing enabling infrastructure.

The Housing Infrastructure Programme is aimed at unlocking 500,000 new homes.  Funds will be used to get zoned land across the nation, including in regional capital cities, housing development ready.

Deputy Chair of Regional Capitals Australia, Mayor Peter Carter, said housing shortages in regional capital cities had been driven by surging workforce numbers for major regional infrastructure projects, along with growing internal migration and an undersupply of diverse housing stock.

“Regional capital cities are developing at their fastest rate in history with migration from major capitals seeing growth rates at almost 12% above pre-covid levels,” Cr Carter said.

“This is impacting all forms of housing from social, affordable, rental and the traditional new home buyer market,” Cr Carter said.

“The rental market is particularly challenging in regional capital cities, with vacancy rates sitting at just over 1% this month,” Cr Carter said.

In a recent survey by Regional Capital Australia, 87% of the membership agreed that a critical bottle neck in the housing market was development-ready land.

“We have enough land to support our growing populations however our member councils do not have the budgets to front end the rapidly growing cost of enabling infrastructure such as water, sewerage and roads,” Cr Carter said.
 
“Without critical infrastructure, new housing cannot be built, it is as simple as that,” Cr Carter said.

“Housing shortages in regional areas are a massive constraint on local employment, service delivery and amenity, but also on national initiatives such as the renewables boom, food, fibre and minerals exports and disaster recovery efforts,” Cr Carter said.

“More needs to be done to address this national challenge,” Cr Carter said.

“We welcome this commitment from the Federal Coalition and should they take office at the next election we look forward to working with them to make sure regional capital cities get their fair share of this important funding,” Cr Carter concluded.

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