Regional Development Strategy - exciting initiative for Narungga

Member for Narungga Fraser Ellis MP welcomed yesterday’s announcement by Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Tim Whetstone that work on forming a state-wide Regional Development Strategy has formally commenced.

“Consultation has now opened to start the process of developing a strategic, focussed strategy on how best to develop, support and grow regional South Australia, and after near two decades of being under recognised by Labor for the vital economic role regions play in this State, I welcome this exciting initiative from the Marshall Liberal Government.

“Regional South Australia contributes around $25.9 billion to the state’s economy with just under 30% of the state’s population – that’s over one quarter of our Gross State Product. 

“I encourage residents, community groups, businesses, industry representatives and all stakeholders invested in the Yorke Peninsula and Mid North regions to be a part of forming the strategy, and to read the discussion paper and contribute.

“Everything is on the table – fresh ideas and local perspectives are needed to find new ways of growing our regional economies and supporting people in their choice to live in regional communities.

“I also am very pleased this is not just an online forum process. An independent Community Advisory Panel made up of representatives from regional industry are leading the consultation, travelling across the State and holding 14 community forums, one of them in Kadina on 15 July.

“For further information visit www.pir.sa.gov.au/regionaldevelopmentstrategy or alternatively, for a copy of the discussion paper call the Narungga Electorate Office at Maitland on 8832 455.