AusLeisure

The Federal Government needs to expand its regional infrastructure spending to drive economic recovery - consulting with local and state governments to avoid a one-size-fits-all approach.

A newly released report from the Senate Economics References Committee has advised that this approach would help underpin economic recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic'

In the final report from its inquiry into the indicators of, and impact of, regional inequality in Australia, the Committee advised “the needs of Geraldton in WA will be very different from the needs of the La Trobe Valley in Victoria, or the Iron Triangle in South Australia.

“And they will be different again to what support and development is needed in northern Tasmania or western NSW.

“It will not be the job of the Commonwealth to advise them, but rather listen to (local governments, regional associations and community organisations on the ground right throughout the country) and coordinate responses based on their advice.”

The report added that for the regions to prosper, the infrastructure investment needs to be matched by policies that build a sustainable population base, noting "for people to stay in the regions, or indeed, move into them from the major cities, then those people must be confident that they will have all the services and amenities that are expected in modern life.

“Not only schools for the children and hospitals for the old and sick, but also galleries, cafes, restaurants, cinemas, sporting complexes and the like must be at hand so that people can be confident that they will have a pleasant and fulfilled life wherever they choose to live.

“These amenities too must be facilitated through investment into the regions.”

The report’s two recommendations are for the Federal Government to:

• Fundamentally re-examine its regional infrastructure spending plan and make an expanded infrastructure program the basis for its stimulus plan for Australia’s economic recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic; and
• Undertake a series of round table consultations with Commonwealth departments and agencies; state, and local Governments; regional associations; and community organisations.

Click here to view the Report.

Image: Shepparton Sports City. Credit: City of Greater Shepparton.

Related Articles

14th December 2020 - Geelong’s West Oval to be transformed into significant regional sporting facility

4th December 2020 - NSW Government launches funds for Councils to run summer fun events

27th November 2020 - Work commences on Bunbury’s Hay Park sporting infrastructure

18th November 2020 - Latrobe City Council announces YMCA Victoria as operator of new Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre

18th November 2020 - Wollongong local government area finally included in NSW Government sport funding programs

13th November 2020 - Backing councils will help Australia’s arts and cultural sector to ‘flourish’

30th October 2020 - Cairns Regional Council endorses plan for Reef management

25th October 2020 - Easing of Coronavirus restrictions for Regional Victoria will allow gyms and indoor pools to reopen

22nd October 2020 - Western Australian Government supports regional sporting events with $85,000 funding

15th October 2020 - Fleurieu Regional Aquatic Centre Authority appoints new Executive Officer

7th October 2020 - NSW South Coast councils participate in workshop to discuss local tourism industry

30th September 2020 - Feedback sought on proposed Regional Athletics Centre for Coffs Harbour

4th August 2020 - Western Australian Government announces $300 million investment in sport and community infrastructure

21st July 2020 - Sustainable tourism infrastructure projects announced for Shoalhaven

20th March 2020 - Councils looks to increase women’s sport and active recreation opportunities in Melbourne’s West

19th March 2020 - New national infrastructure database looks to drive informed decision making

3rd March 2020 - NSW Government to fund tourism infrastructure projects in the Byron Shire

15th September 2019 - Study shows local government behind more than a quarter of Australia’s arts and cultural investment

5th June 2018 - New Victorian visitor economy guide emphasises role of local government

28th March 2018 - Regional councils set draft targets for swimmable lakes and rivers

2nd February 2018 - TRA releases updated tourism profiles for more than 200 local government areas

3rd December 2015 - Senate inquiry slams Federal changes to arts funding

21st February 2014 - Calls for national crackdown on scalping at Federal Senate ticketing inquiry

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.