NEW DIRECTION FOR REGIONAL AUSTRALIA

13 May 2008

Joint Media Release:
The Hon Anthony Albanese MP Minister for Infrastructure, Transport,Regional Development and Local Government
The Hon Gary Gray AO MP Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Northern Australia

The 2008-09 Budget delivers a new direction for regional Australia, with a $176 million Better Regions program and up to $74 million for the Regional Development Australia network.

A new Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program will supplement these programs from next year's Budget and fund major investments in regional communities.

The Rudd Labor Government's regional development initiatives in this Budget will help drive economic prosperity and growth in regional Australia, and engage with communities to meet their needs.

The Government understands that good community infrastructure supports towns and communities and attracts greater investment and job opportunities.

The new Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program, and our Better Regions election commitments will replace Sustainable Regions and the Regional Partnerships program, which the Australian National Audit Office discredited last year as having "fallen short of an acceptable standard of public administration".

The Government will honour all existing contracts under the Regional Partnerships and Sustainable Regions programs; however, uncontracted applications will not be proceeded with.

BETTER REGIONS

The $176 million Better Regions program will deliver on the Government's election commitments and provide regional Australia with much needed community facilities and services.

The Better Regions projects encourage economic and community development and invest in local infrastructure such as:

• the revitalisation of towns' main streets;

• multi-purpose community and resource centres;

• major sport and recreational venues; and

• community transport infrastructure.

Critical community projects will be funded across Australia under the $176 million Better Regions program including investments in the Hunter Region, Kempsey, Geelong, Townsville, Bendigo, Alice Springs, Mandurah, Sunshine Coast and northern Tasmania.

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUSTRALIA

The Government is committed to genuine engagement with regional communities. We are establishing Regional Development Australia (RDA) with an allocation of more than $17 million this year to ensure effective engagement with communities.

The new RDA network across Australia will build on and replace Area Consultative Committees.

The Government's new body will take on a broader role to provide strategic input into national programs, improve the coordination of the Government's regional development initiatives, link closely to local governments and other regional organisations.

The RDA's final structure will be developed over this year in consultation with regional communities and stakeholders.

REGIONAL AND LOCAL COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM

From next year's Budget, the new Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program will be funded to deliver major investments in regional and local community, recreational and environmental infrastructure initiatives.

In line with the Rudd Labor Government's national approach to infrastructure investment, our new program will be accountable, transparent and based on community needs.

To make sure the program is developed properly and reflects the needs of regional communities, we will consult widely with the community. The public consultations are expected to be conducted by the new RDA network and the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.

Through these major investments, the Australian Government will deliver infrastructure investments and promote sustainable economic growth in regional communities.

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