News

A Productivity Commission study into ‘transitioning regional economies’ has provided a timely opportunity for RCA to remind policy makers that there should be a growing focus on urban regional Australia if declining productivity is to be addressed.
All cities that work are economic assets, and making the most of these assets can only occur if regional capital cities (RCCs) are adequately planned for, funded and their performance measured. READ MORE “City central focus and performance data crucial to transitioning regions study”

RCA recently lodged a 2017-18 Federal Budget submission calling for new and existing funding programs that will allow regional capital cities to be connected and liveable.

Regional capital cities can play a critical role in the future prosperity of Australia. To ensure that the most is made of the opportunities available in regional economies, RCA has called on the government to adopt funding streams that will allow our cities to be:

1. Connected – with high speed broadband, roads, rail, ports and airports; and
2. Liveable – with local access to tertiary education, health, sporting facilities, arts, and culture centres.

READ MORE “RCA budget submission calls for programs to fuel connectivity and liveability”

Regional Capitals Australia has submitted its recommendations for the Government’s competitive process of the upcoming Regional City Deals program.

The submission was developed in conjunction with feedback from RCA members, and includes case studies on four RCA member cities: the City of Greater Geraldton, City of Ballarat and Cities of Albury-Wodonga. READ MORE “RCA submits recommendations for regional City Deals assessment”

G’day RCA members and friends.

Well, we blinked and it’s suddenly March! We are three months into the year and RCA hasn’t wasted any time pushing our policy agenda; in a week’s time we will have lodged no less than four significant policy submissions to the Federal government in our drive to give regional capital cities a firm place in national policy. READ MORE “Message from the Chair – March 2017”

Opinion Piece – RCA Chair Mayor Shane Van Styn

The latest Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey proves once again the great Australian dream of home ownership is slipping further out of reach for many Aussies living in the country’s four biggest capital cities – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.

Still dreaming of a quarter acre block? Hope lies in Australia’s regional capital cities. READ MORE “Quarter acre block dreaming? Shorten and Joyce need regional plan (Chair’s Op-Ed)”

The Australian Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee’s Final Report into the “future role and contribution of regional capitals to Australia” has been released and calls on the Government to develop a national strategy to grow regional capital cities.

Regional Capitals Australia (RCA) Chair, Mayor Shane Van Styn welcomed the significant work undertaken by the Senate Committee to deliver the report and noted that the mandate and key policy push of RCA had been endorsed when Senators recommended nine areas for action. READ MORE “Senate Committee Calls for Plan to Grow Australia’s Regional Capital Cities”

Regional Capitals Australia (RCA) today congratulated the Coalition on their successful election win after an impressive campaign. READ MORE “Regional Capitals Australia Congratulates the Coalition on Election Win”

RCA has been monitoring the election commitments of both the major parties during the campaign. See our snapshot of commitments impacting regional Australia to keep you informed. READ MORE “2016 Federal Election Commitments”