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”
Today a delegation led by Regional Capitals Australia (RCA) Chair and Deputy Chair held talks with Members of Parliament and the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development in Canberra to progress the election commitments made by the Turnbull government.
“The first 100 days of any new government is crucial because it sets the tone for progressing the vision and goals of that administration. If we want regional capital cities to thrive and succeed, it is vital that we are in the room championing for policies that put regional Australia in front,” said RCA Chair and City of Greater Geraldton mayor, Shane Van Styn. READ MORE “Regional Capitals Australia Focused on ‘First 100 Days’ in Canberra”
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”
Today Regional Capitals Australia (RCA) released its response to the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee’s Interim Report on its inquiry into the “future role and contribution of regional capitals to Australia” at its annual RCA Networking Breakfast. READ MORE “Regional Capital Cities Crucial to Strong Regions, Senate Committee Concludes”
Media Release
Regional Capitals Australia (RCA) today welcomed the announcement of the Coalition Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) that will focus solely on funding projects in regional and rural areas.
Mayor Shane Van Styn, Chair of Regional Capitals Australia said that the alliance had been making the case for this change for some time. READ MORE “Regional Australia is Focus of Building Better Regions Fund”
The Regional Universities Network (RUN) and Regional Capitals Australia (RCA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aiming to highlight the need for improved academic and career pathways for young people and residents living in regional Australia.
The Chair of RUN, Professor Jan Thomas, says, “Regional universities play a key role in developing regional cities and economies, and that the agreement would facilitate closer collaboration between the two groups on skills and education policy. READ MORE “RUN and RCA sign MOU to Boost Education and Career Pathways”
Regional Capitals Australia (RCA) has welcomed the announcement that Townsville – a regional capital city and RCA member – has been prioritised in Australia’s first-ever City Deal.
RCA Chair, Mayor Shane Van Styn said he was pleased that the role of regional capital cities has been recongised by the Coalition in announcing this first City Deal. READ MORE “Regional Capital City First Past the Post in New City Deal”
