· Web viewRegional Development Australia Yorke and Mid North (RDAYMN) is an incorporated...

85 Ellen StreetPort Pirie SA 5540P (08) 8632 5633F (08) 8632 5724

E [email protected] www.yorkeandmidnorth.com.au

ABN: 68 705 101 048

8th November 2019

Committee SecretarySelect Committee on Regional AustraliaPO Box 6021Parliament HouseCANBERRA ACT 2600

Dear Committee SecretaryRegional Development Australia Yorke and Mid North (RDAYMN) is an incorporated organisation funded by Federal, State and local government- a unique regional South Australia initiative. Our main goal is to promote and facilitate sustainable community and economic development within the regions of Yorke, Mid North and the Southern Flinders Ranges. During the past nine years RDAYMN has worked alongside our eleven member Councils, businesses, community and not-for-profit groups to increase economic activity and competitiveness and to enhance social and environmental outcomes for our region. In response to the specific terms of reference (TOR) we submit the following information for consideration:a. Examining the effectiveness of existing regional service delivery and

development programs

Our RDAYMN Board is a draw from civic leaders across the Yorke and Mid North region and includes representatives from local government (two elected members and two CEO’s), business representatives including Balco, Pringles Crouch, Nyrstar, Rosewarnes and Bowmans Rail. Collectively they drive the direction and civic leadership across the region on a largely volunteer basis and are pivotal to our success. RDAYMN works collectively through Regional Development South Australia (RDSA) to achieve these outcomes. The unique South Australian tri-parte model allows the South Australian networks an ability achieve the best outcomes for Regional South Australia and work. RDSA is independently chaired by the Hon Rob Kerin, who is the ex-Premier of South Australia and who is also the Chair of Primary Producers South Australia. Spanning 11 offices and with over 80 staff on the ground, the team are passionate, active and well connected with their finger on the pulse of each region’s development needs. Led by skill-based boards, RDA work in collaboration with all levels of government, community and other agencies forming partnerships to support regional business and the investment ecosystem. Over the last 10 years alone the collective RDSA network has assisted over 12,641 businesses and facilitated investment to Regional South Australia in excess of $2.94 billion. Collectively, we have powerful email databases reaching approximately 30,000 stakeholders every month, and a social media following of 51,000+ connecting us with local, national and global audiences daily (plus, we partner with marketing and PR experts to continue expanding these).

Local Government PartnersClare & Gilbert Valleys Council | Barunga West Council District Council of Mount Remarkable | Northern Areas CouncilDistrict Council of Peterborough | Wakefield Regional CouncilYorke Peninsula Council | Regional Council of Goyder



ABN: 68 705 101 048

Examining the effectiveness of existing regional service delivery and development programs could be undertaken in several ways including:

Reviewing the achievement of Regional Development Australia programs – noting that these operate differently between the states. In the context of South Australian RDA’s, have a number of set Key Performance Indicator’s with all three tiers of government. With somewhat different focus areas / programs delivered by RDA’s there is an ability to review a range of programs from business assistance, investment attraction, assisting in gaining new (or improved) infrastructure in regions through to Career Services programs with job outcomes and assistance to community and sporting groups

Accessing program evaluations and outcome reports. Determining key parameters of what is to be examined, for example, would it be

across sectors and industry from disability service opportunities through the NDIS, through to increasing visitor expenditure through tourism ventures and investment attraction dollars and activities. The parameters of what is to be reviewed needs to be carefully considered in the context of the purposes of the review, ie, is to potentially invest in future delivery programs.

A key feature is the Currently the South Australia Government is developing a Regional Development

Strategy through an independent panel which has recently released a copy of their engagement report at www.yoursay.sa.gov.au/regional-development.

RDAYMN provided some recommendations to this report including the following initiatives that could improve regional development in South Australia:

o Look to place based responses to health service delivery and how we can build specialisation across our health networks.

o Work with regions to aid in how childcare facilities can be grown and what best models of practice to grow and develop.

o Grow community led tertiary facilities and assist communities to achieve these goals in partnership with Universities

o Adopt transparent principles around prioritisation for regional infrastructure projects, similar to those used in the RDA SA prioritisation report.

o Prioritise investment by the State’s identified future regional growth industry e.g. primary production & associated value-added manufacturing, resources and tourism.

o Provide services to connect State-sponsored migrants with regional businesses with the goal of case managing to achieve jobs in region for all family members to harness this talent. Local Government Partners

Clare & Gilbert Valleys Council | Barunga West Council District Council of Mount Remarkable | Northern Areas CouncilDistrict Council of Peterborough | Wakefield Regional CouncilYorke Peninsula Council | Regional Council of Goyder

http://www.yoursay.sa.gov.au/regional-development



ABN: 68 705 101 048

o Consider a special economic zone for VISA 132A high net wealth VISA holders to ensure

o Consider using the Regional Employment Trial model to pilot solutions to the top 5 greatest challenges in regional development, and with cost effective models then on the ground, invite interest from other communities to rollout the solutions with appropriate funding and metrics.

b. Examining the contribution and role of regional Australia to our national identity, economy and environment

Examining the contribution of regional Australia in relation to national identity, economy and environment could be considered in a number of ways including:National Identity

Including an emphasis on an increased and accurate understanding of the history and learnings that could be drawn from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders firstly. Post-colonisation, regional Australia’s identity appears to focus considerably upon agriculture, farming and farmers. Again, an improved understanding and appreciation by all Australians on the contribution of the agricultural sector to not only the economy but to food on the table is critical, particularly with current extreme challenges including the drought and potential long-term impacts from climate change.RDAYMN have implemented programs in the past to support the social and economic inclusion of first nations people, supporting the Narungga Aboriginal Corporation in its establishment phase and by providing outreach employment and disability support services including in within the Aboriginal community of Point Pearce.Economy

Metrics and data on the role of regional Australia to the national economy are available for examination. RDAYMN provides economic modelling to our key partners to assist them in evidenced based forecasting and planning. We also provide this information to industry and business (subscription to data available through ID – the population experts). Perhaps the diversification and value-adding opportunities that could be further supported to grow and develop in regions could be invested in more. The role in providing knowledge and information for informed decision making is critical to regional success.Environment




ABN: 68 705 101 048

There are many interesting programs currently being implemented in regional Australia focussing on achieving preserving the environment and reducing waste and decreasing harmful emissions. These include are also world first trial projects being implemented in regions, for example in South Australia, the Rewilding of Southern Yorke Peninsula. This project includes the erection of skirted fence across a section of the Peninsula, aimed at keeping predators such as foxes and cats and the re-introduction of native species that have been extinct to the area for many years. The projects outcomes (over the long-term) are anticipated to include substantial ecological improvements through to the protection and conservation of native species and even through to improved lambing rates in the nearby agricultural sector. There has also been engagement and consultation with Narungga Aboriginal representatives in relation to this project, to incorporate Narungga symbolism and words into the associated Branding / naming of the project. Further there are a number of potential cultural and economic opportunities available to local Narungga population as the project progresses.

Access to information on regional impacts on the environment (whether positive or negative) are available through a number of local, state and commonwealth agencies and organisations.c. Promoting the development of regional centres, cities, towns and districts

including promoting master planning of regional communities

A number or regional centres have continued to develop and prosper in Australia. Significant investment in infrastructure to support regional centres to develop has occurred through the three tiers of government and in our experience are nearly always accompanied by high quality strategic and master planning. Continuing to support growth in regional centres is important, alongside balancing investment in areas that are showing continual growth as opposed to decline. We caution on the danger of picking winning industries when conditions are cyclic such as in agricultural and mining- we refer the Select Committee to the State of the Nation work done annually by the Australia Local Government Association which has examined the effect of the mining sector on crowding out workers in the manufacturing sector during increased times of mining exploration and production in regional areas.Forward focussed planning on regional centre and township growth is supported through the master planning process. This has certainly occurred in at least three of our major townships within the Yorke and Mid North region. Long-term plans that consider future growth needs and anticipated demand are required. For example, in the Copper Coast local government area within our region expects a large migration of ‘sea-changers’ within the next 3-5 years. Many of these ‘sea-changes’ already have established holiday homes in the area that they visit periodically. When they make the transition to full-time retirement and hence move full-time into their holiday homes there will be a significant increased demand placed upon infrastructure and services.




ABN: 68 705 101 048

For example, expansion of Community Waster Water Management Schemes (CWMS) will need to be factored in, through to the availability of ‘typically’ required medical and allied health services. These types of issues require long-term transitional planning so that communities can prepare, develop and implement required infrastructure needs and build up the required workforce to meet demand.d. Promoting private investment in regional centres and regional

infrastructure

One of the key roles of RDAYMN is to help connect potential investors to the correct information, people, legislation and regulations that relate to any proposals. Regional towns, centres and or LGA’s within our region have undertaken or are undertaking the development of Regional Investment Prospectus’s and or specialised marketing collateral to promote and attract private investment in regional centres and infrastructure.Collectively Regional Development South Australia has worked on projects including:

Undertake leadership in RDSA Prioritization of Infrastructure Assets in 2013 and 2017 which was shared with all levels of government;

Undertaking business cases for key projects; Publish best practice case studies from across Regional South Australia;

Collate and provide to government a pipeline of investment opportunities (quarterly) which currently records a collective $19.95B of investment projects and a potential 9412 FTE jobs.

Regional Development Australia Yorke and Mid North is itself working on a pipeline of major projects totalling $4.93B with a potential to deliver 417 ongoing FTE’s. We have a database of 4061 businesses a total social media following of 8194 across all our social media mediums we manage, including tourism sites we manage. It is also worth noting that the RDAYMN also works to annual Key Performance Indicators in at the end of the last three-year period we worked with 944 businesses and facilitated $70.46M in investment to the Yorke and Mid North area.

We highlight this work as an example of how critically important it is that regions have institutions where talent and skills can be developed locally, and that in thin markets such as South Australia also have the ability to work closely with industry and in particular local government which has the major of infrastructure and intellectual assets based in regions.




ABN: 68 705 101 048

We have recently published our latest Regional Roadmap: Engineering Growth for Yorke and Mid North 2018- 2028 in which we invited the Natural Resource Management Board and Legatus to be partners and outlines the areas of strategic importance to this area. This joined up strategic approach is critical for regions to maximise our resources and avoid duplication of effort.

RDAYMN invests significant resources (particularly staff time) into the development and annual updates to our Yorke and Mid North Infrastructure Audit. Comprehensive assessment of existing infrastructure and integrated forward planning at a local, regional and state level is required to support communities in regional South Australia access and enhance opportunities for sustainable development.Regional South Australia is confronted with many challenges in maintaining its existing infrastructure and in gaining the necessary private and government investment into large scale infrastructure improvements and new infrastructure initiatives.Access to up to date and consolidated information regarding regional infrastructure is required for effective planning, prioritisation particularly for local government and Regional Development Australia Yorke and Mid North (RDAYMN) but also for investors seeking to develop or expand operations in the region.




ABN: 68 705 101 048

e. Examine the key drivers for unlocking decentralisation opportunities for both the private and public sectors

An early and easy indicator of regionalisation would be the calling of all public sector positions around Australia, particularly where the technology exists for individuals to work remotely, in ways that do not bind those positions to existing departmental officers, and in particular outside of capital cities. This may enable talent to both stay in regional Australia and also to grow from areas with a regional insight into policy and program delivery.f. Promoting the competitive advantages of regional location for businesses

Again, this can be assisted through the development of Regional Investment Prospectus’s and the like, however could also be supported through targeted investment attraction strategies supported by all tiers of government. It may also be worth exploring having ‘Regional Investment Roadshows’ or ‘Famils’ where potential investors can be targeted and made aware of the various opportunities and advantages of setting up business in regional locations.A closer working relationship between investment attraction agencies and practitioners in region would also assist.g. Investigate the development of capital city size regional centres in

strategic locations and the benefits this offers regional cities, capital cities, the Australian economy and lifestyle

This is a great concept to investigate further. Perhaps regions and or LGA’s could submit ‘bids’ to be considered. This could Base-line minimum criteria could be developed for the region and/ or LGA to meet for stage one eligibility of the ‘bidding’ process. Subsequently after having been assessed as an eligible area, further in-depth analysis of the areas capacity for growth could be undertaken. Expansion of specific regional areas could ease the pressure on heavily populated cities. We recommend an examination of the private sector approach undertaken by Amazon in the United State when proposing a new office and distribution centre as a macro-

economic version. It is most notable for the level of details and data that regions supplied in bidding for the successful economic opportunity.h. Examine the potential for new developments, towns and cities to be built

in regional Australia

We would recommend this examination be incorporated into the ‘bidding’ process proposed above. We also note the work done by the local government of South Australia in calculating the carrying capacity of “Local Government Carrying Capacity




ABN: 68 705 101 048

Scope” to the March 2019 which shows where regional South Australia has the infrastructure capacity to grow population.i. Examining international examples of nations who have vast and productive

regional areas, which are sparsely populated

This is also a great concept if the international examples can be ‘transferrable’ to the Australian context. Perhaps a panel of multiple disciplinary professionals (Anthropologists through to Engineers, Town Planners, and Environmental Scientists) with community representation to assess and examine international examples and identify and extract the ‘key ingredients’ that could be implemented in Australian regional areas.There is existing information, scholarly articles and some policies that already identify some of the ‘key ingredients’ and best practice methodology etc that supports productive regional areas.j. Examining ways urbanisation can be re-directed to achieve more balanced

regional development

In previous submissions to the Australian Government’s Strategic Regional Growth Expert Panel in February 2019 and Parliamentary Enquiry: The operation, effectiveness, and consequences of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (Location of Corporate Commonwealth Entities) Order 2016 we have suggested that the increased range of telecommunications, corporate practice which now allows multi-functional skills of staff based around Australia, can be adopted by government services. This is especially the case where the government work involves policy, program delivery and oversight of the items which are not in-field services, it means that jobs and transportability are undertaken more easily.While we understand that there is efficiencies with co-location of agencies in Canberra- we feel that in increasing age of technology, the rollout of NBN which should create no distinctions Port Pirie, Adelaide or Canberra in terms of connectivity that there are significant opportunities to evolve the service deliver and Commonwealth presence in the regions.In particular there are some distinct financial advantages:

Lower rental for premises; Better matching of government agencies to the areas of their expertise

and regional areas; Decreased housing cost for individual employees; Opportunities for employees to choose the agencies in which they work; Increased economic development in regions where agencies are based.




ABN: 68 705 101 048

However we believe that creativity and bringing new ideas to governing are essential to the ongoing evolution of governing in Australia. Group thinking and silo vision is a key risk in any governance structure, and one which we tackle on a smaller board such as ours but is identified as a key risk to all structures and one that currently do not incorporate regional offices.

k. Identifying the infrastructure requirements for reliable and affordable health, education, transport, telecommunications, clean energy, water and waste in a new settlement of reasonable size, located away from existing infrastructure

This can be costed by the appropriate professionals. Again, this could be incorporated into the proposes regional centre bidding process mentioned above and or independent to that process. RDA Yorke and Mid North undertook a full Infrastructure Audit through Aurecon in 2012 which, we have undertaken an Annual internal Review each year with each of our councils and published the State Government. We also in 2015 undertook a review of prioritisation and achievements through Leonie Boothby & Associates. This enables us to publish and prioritise regional infrastructure priorities and work on evidence based business solutions which we encourage all regions to undertake. We are currently undertaking a full review which will be provided to Infrastructure Australia and Infrastructure South Australia an encourage this regional approach. In addition in a uniquely South Australian initiative in 2013 RDSA published ‘Regional Development South Australia – Prioritising South Australia’s Regional Infrastructure Project – Project Report and Outcomes’ (2013). A number of initiatives contained in the earlier report had now been completed or are in progress, so RDSA undertook to review and update the document to ensure that the current version reflects current priorities in regions in 2017/ 2018. The update and review is designed to:

to shift decisions about infrastructure from project-by-project, and region-by-region to a much broader and deeper focus on State needs;

to understand what is really important jointly across all regions by using an agreed set of criteria, then aligning similar project needs among otherwise competing priorities;

to provide analytical rigour and theory behind the ‘need’; based around a weighted criteria which was rigorously used; Provide for transparent decision making; and Increase the ability of the RDA’s across the State to approach all levels of

Government as a collective to demonstrate how and why these projects are deemed to be a priority, with a view to attracting funding into South Australia.

It should also be noted that the 2017/ 2018 Review was undertaken as the last Strategic Infrastructure Plan for SA was from 2004/ 2005 until 2014/ 2015. The introduction of Infrastructure South Australia will also assist in refining these priorities. The weighted criteria that was agreed in 2013 was used again in the 2017/ 2018.




ABN: 68 705 101 048

The 2017/ 2018 review of Infrastructure Priority Priority Projects is as below. For each of the projects a detailed brief is included in the document which is available in full detail at www.regionaldevelopmentsa.com.au.

Ref

Project Region Status

4.01

Northern Adelaide Irrigation Scheme and Associated Infrastructure

Barossa Advocacy

4.02

Reducing Food Waste and Loss as a Driver for Economic Development

Murraylands/Riverland

Investment Ready

4.03

Northlink Cross Regional Rail Freight and Associated Road Upgrades

Cross Regional Feasibility

4.04

Green Triangle Region Freight Plan Update

Limestone Coast Investment Ready

4.05

6 Star $500m International Holiday Resort

Whyalla/Eyre Peninsula

Feasibility

4.06

Strezelecki Track Sealing Far North Feasibility

4.07

Port of Thevenard Efficiency Whyalla/Eyre Peninsula

Advocacy

4.08

One River Murray Authority (including river related infrastructure)


Advocacy

4.09

Limestone Coast Road-Bridge Life Extension/ Replacement


4.10

Kingsford Industrial Estate Barossa Feasibility

4.11

Security of National Transport Links to Perth and Darwin – Yorkey’s Crossing

Far North Advocacy

4.12

Mount Gambier Airport Redevelopment



http://www.regionaldevelopmentsa.com.au/



ABN: 68 705 101 048

4.13

Port Wakefield Bypass Yorke/Mid North Feasibility

4.14

Upper Eastern Spencer Gulf Port Yorke/Mid North Feasibility

4.15

Lake Albert – Coorong Connector Environmental Impact Study


Feasibility

4.16

COTEC SA Murraylands/Riverland

Investment Ready

4.17

National Maritime Trades College Whyalla

Whyalla/Eyre Peninsula

Advocacy

4.18

Super School in Whyalla Whyalla/Eyre Peninsula

Advocacy

4.19

Duplication of Victor Harbor Road Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island

Advocacy

4.20

Southern Off and On Ramps at Verdun, South Eastern Freeway

Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island

Advocacy

4.21

North East Bypass of Gawler Barossa Advocacy

4.22

Bookmark Bridge, Renmark Murraylands/Riverland

Advocacy

4.23

Gas Pipeline to Port Pirie – Duplication

Yorke/Mid North Feasibility

4.24

Public Transport – Goolwa/ Victor Harbor – Seaford Rail

Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island

Advocacy

4.25

Upgrade Mount Barker – Strathalbyn Road

Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu

Feasibility

4.26

Electrification of Rail to Gawler Barossa Investment Ready

4.27

Barossa Hospital with Airstrip Barossa FeasibilityLocal Government PartnersClare & Gilbert Valleys Council | Barunga West Council District Council of Mount Remarkable | Northern Areas CouncilDistrict Council of Peterborough | Wakefield Regional CouncilYorke Peninsula Council | Regional Council of Goyder



ABN: 68 705 101 048

4.28

International Equine Centre Barossa Advocacy

4.29

Flinders Ranges Retirement Facility/ Lifestyle Village

Far North Advocacy

l. Consider other measures to support the ongoing growth and sustainability of regional Australia.

To further our in depth understanding of our regions business needs, challenges and areas for focus and advocacy, RDAYMN undertook a sample survey of businesses within the region. Businesses targeted to participate in the survey are representative across a broad range of industry sectors, from agriculture to retail, accommodation through to health profession and recreation and sports in late 2018. Key themes that emerged across multiple industries and business types included:

Electricity is a significant cost to many businesses Reliable telecommunications (internet and mobile) continues to be an issue in the

region Cost of water Sourcing employees with critical skills for business operations

A number of businesses identified the same skills and trades as difficult to source, predominantly:

Hospitality – Chefs in particular Diesel Mechanics Mechanics Technicians Electricians and plumbers

Survey results provide RDAYMN with an evidenced based resource to support our businesses to grow and to undertake advocacy activities to alleviate issues that impact on growth. We have also contributed to the excellent and efficient delivery by the Department of Home Affairs and Government of South Australia, to which we assisted in writing the South Australian business case, in pursuing a Designated Areas Migration Agreement which provides the ability to bring these critical skills to South Australia.For the past 8 years RDA Yorke and Mid North has been subcontracted by the Department for Industry and Skills to provide career development support to clients who sit outside the traditional JobActive Case Management model. These clients have




ABN: 68 705 101 048

included FLO students at high school (serviced for a fee), clients outside the benefits model (not receiving Newstart or other unemployment benefits), clients who are recently unemployed but fall within the 12-week servicing gap for the Commonwealth JobActive system (called Stream A clients). RDAYMN has also provided one-on-one professional Career Counselling services to these clients across the Yorke, Southern Flinders and Mid North regions, under the delivery of a certified Career Practitioner. Contracted Outcomes

Contracted Actual / Claimed Difference

Number of participants

655 718 +63

Employment / Training Outcomes

220 360 +140

Tourism is a significant part of our region’s economy and RDAYMN supports tourism operators by executive membership to our three key Tourism region committees, in addition to one on one business support for expansion. Further investment in tourism infrastructure projects is an area in which we believe our operators could be further supported in, for example through a Tourism Infrastructure Funding Program. Investing in tourism infrastructure and products creates new jobs in both construction and on-going operational phases and the improved tourism experiences will have an impact on increasing overnight visitor numbers and expenditure.As our region has the lowest terrestrial access to broadband and uptake, we have been conscious that while the NBN rollout has been underway we could not wait for technology solutions and bringing our business along the spectrum. Accordingly, this has been an identified theme of our work and has included the following as examples

Business Case written for Commonwealth Regional Backhaul Program- successful partially bringing backhaul to the Barossa and lower parts of our region;

Delivering two WiMAX projects through the RDA Yorke and Mid North board including demand aggregation, funding and project management- Clare Valley and Southern Flinders- rolled out in 2011 and 2012 originally designed with a three year return on investment and still in use as the region is migrated to NBN Wireless - over 800 users who were previously on Satellite only were transitioned to this service to increase access across our region;

Securing Wi-Fi in the main streets of Port Pirie, Peterborough, Clare and Crystal Brook- we are working on delivering across the whole of region;




ABN: 68 705 101 048

Numerous training and workshop sessions to assist businesses and local council in relation to access, digital and social access, technology solutions and global trends;

Co-ordination of Mobile Blackspots for the Yorke and Mid North region and prioritisation for the whole of the state;

Construction and maintenance of regional tourism tools for consumer basis across the region including preparation for the Chinese market, integration of social media and mechanisms to improve our market position.

More programs that provide place-based solutions for thin markets to meet the technology challenges would be especially useful. We hope this information is of benefit, and wish the Committee success in its deliberations, and would be happy to provide any further information to assist.Yours sincerely

Bill VandepeerChair, Regional Development Australia Yorke and Mid North


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