RDA Wheatbelt Inc.
Regional Development Australia is a partnership between the Australian, State and Local Governments that aims to develop, strengthen and ensure the long-term sustainability of Australia’s regions. RDA Wheatbelt is one of 55 RDA committees representing regional areas across the country.
The key role of RDA Wheatbelt is to build strong and effective partnerships between governments, regional development organisations, industry, local businesses, community groups and key regional stakeholders to provide strategic and targeted responses to economic, environmental and social issues affecting the region. To achieve this, RDA Wheatbelt will:
- Consult and engage with the community on economic, social and environmental issues, solutions and priorities,
- Liaise with governments and local communities about government programs, services, grants and initiatives for regional development,
- Support informed regional planning, and
- Contribute to business growth plans and investment strategies, environmental solutions and social inclusion strategies in the region
RDA Wheatbelt is committed to working with local communities to find long-term, creative, place based solutions to regional issues. We also believe in sustainable and sensible development of our region that utilises assets and is compatible with the unique characteristics of the Wheatbelt.
Vision for the Region
“The Wheatbelt: A “possibility belt” that grows as a result of vibrant and diverse people, industry and built and natural environment”
RDA Wheatbelt Purpose
“To facilitate the social and economic development of the Wheatbelt by working in collaboration with key stakeholders toward a strategic and targeted response to regional issues”
RDA Wheatbelt Values
- Working together – Collaboration amongst key stakeholders and a coordinated approach to addressing issues in our region
- Social Inclusiveness – Equal Opportunities for all people and groups in our communities
- Communities – Maintaining a sense of pride and community connectedness in our region
- Innovation – Encouraging innovation and initiative in the region
- Diversity – Recognition of social, economic and environmental diversity within the region
Regional Priorities
It is recognised that the Wheatbelt region faces a number of challenges. Through research and wide consultation the following social, environmental and economic issues have been identified as a current priority for the region.
Social Priorities:
- Differential growth across the region, with the population growing steadily in some areas whilst other parts of the Wheatbelt have more stable or declining populations.
- Centralised decision making and fragmentation of service delivery across the region resulting in duplication and inequitable access
- Ageing of the population and providing the required infrastructure and services to meet the needs of this demographic
- Out-migration of young people seeking education, training, employment and life experience opportunities in Perth.
- Strategic investment in sport and recreation in the region is required
- Providing infrastructure and services to a relatively small and geographically dispersed population with limited capacity for economies of scale
- Limited diversity of housing stock
- Providing more flexible public transportation systems
Economic Priorities:
- Skilled and un-skilled workforce shortages are a limitation to further industry growth
- Competition for skilled labour from “boom” areas of the state
- Diversifying the economic base is imperative to the sustainability of the region
- Infrastructure deficiencies (e.g. power, water, accommodation, etc) are a limitation to industry growth and private investment in the region
- Alternative engagement models for different employment sectors
- Water availability for domestic, commercial and industrial uses
Environmental Priorities:
- Protection of extensive biodiversity assets
- Environment of the region protected from incompatible land use
- Improved management of water resources
- Climate change readiness – planning for a drier, hotter environment
- Land degradation caused by extensive historical clearing of the region, pressure on agricultural land and threats to significant natural resources
|
|
myregion -
'myregion' is your website about your region of Australia. In myregion you can explore data on regional services and projects, participate in forums on regional topics and suggest ideas. www.myregion.gov.au
|
