 |
|
Newsroom |
|
|
29 August 2003 Business leaders welcome rural Action Plan A group of leading regional businesses has welcomed the release of an independent rural action plan and has urged the Federal Government to implement the key findings. Champions of the Bush Executive Officer Darren Chester says the Government should support the recommendations in the Regional Business Development Analysis (RBDA) 'A Plan for Action', which was released this week. He's also called on the Government to keep searching for more innovative and creative ways to promote growth in regional communities. "This is a major report with several recommendations that have the potential to stimulate business growth and sustainable development in rural and regional areas," Mr Chester said. "Having said that, it's a fairly 'safe' report without too many surprises to anyone who has taken an interest in regional development issues. We would like to see the Government continuing to work in partnership with regional communities to drive new and innovative ways to build better country communities for the future." Mr Chester said the importance of regional development was reflected in the high level of interest in the RBDA process with about 200 submissions received. Champions of the Bush board member and Bendigo business owner Jack Moore was actively involved in the process. "Champions of the Bush was one of many organisations and individuals which participated in the consultation phase of the report and made submissions to the panel." Mr Moore said. "The Government must take the advice of panel Chairman Dr John Keniry who writes: "there has been enough talk - regional Australians need action now" . "We don't want this Action Plan placed in the 'too hard basket'. We congratulate the Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson for making the report public, now we call on his colleagues to support the implementation of the key findings with policy and budgetary commitments." Among the plan's findings were recommendations to improve access to investment funds for businesses in regional areas; projects to improve the image of regional areas; and the development of a regional infrastructure bond market. "Champions of the Bush believes Dr Keniry and his panel have identified the key issues our organisation has been talking about for the past 18 months," Mr Moore said. "We must do more in terms of regional infrastructure to make it more attractive for businesses to invest with confidence in country areas. We are also committed to promoting a positive image of rural and regional communities to help address the skill shortage and encourage young people to remain in the bush." Mr Chester said the action plan's support for extra research into a regionally based incentive payment, over and above the existing First Home Owners Scheme, would create interest in relocating to the bush. "As housing prices boom in metropolitan centres, country towns have a great competitive advantage for young families - good quality, affordable homes," he said. "One of our aims is to 'help bring our kids home' once they have received additional training or experience in the city. Our message is you can have a successful career in the bush and a regional housing incentive scheme would be a positive step that will attract people back to rural and regional Australia. "Our country communities already offer an outstanding quality of life but we do need a little help from the Government to build the infrastructure and sell a positive message to businesses and the wider community." Media
information: For further comments contact Darren Chester on 0351 55
3719 or 0412 153 719.
|
|
|
|
|
