Local stop for regional advocacy roadshow

GEELONG will host a national event from Australia’s peak advocate for regional communities that aims to shape the next decade and beyond for those living and working outside the nation’s capitals.

The Regional Australia Institute (RAI) is bringing its Regions Rising series to GMHBA Stadium on July 4 as part of its Australia-wide engagement and dialogue on key issues facing the country’s regions.

RAI will also use the event to discuss its research and programs, which include a news jobs initiative and its 10-year Regionalisation Ambition framework.

The framework, sub-titled “Rebalancing the Nation”, aims to provide a blueprint to improve economic, population, sustainability and liveability outcomes for regional communities that will underpin RAI’s advocacy to government, industries and other organsiations.

Greater Geelong remains one of the fastest-growing regional areas across Australia, accounting for 8 per cent of total net migration to regions in RAI data to March this year.

RAI chief executive officer Liz Ritchie said the continued growth made the area a “hotspot” suited to host RAI’s roadshow.

“It brings together industry experts, economists, regional leaders, government, political leaders, academics, and the community sector to deliver the latest information on the key pillars affecting regional communities.

“The ambition proposes to rebalance the nation – an opportunity for government, industry, not-for profit and community leaders to come together to ensure regional Australia is more prosperous, and inclusive.”

Geelong’s Regions Rising event will include three panel discussions that focus on regional partnerships, liveability, and jobs and skills.

Other speakers scheduled for the Geelong event include:

• Professor Rebecca Lester (keynote) – Director of the Centre for Regional and Rural Futures, Deakin University
• Hannah Duncan-Jones, director of local government and regional priorities, Homes Victoria
• Jennifer Conley, chief executive officer of Geelong Manufacturing Council
• Rob Priestly, director of Gouge Linen and Garment Services
• Professor Tiffany Walsh, research director at Hycel

NBN Co is the Regions Rising national event sponsor, while Deakin University is major sponsor of the Geelong event with Committee for Geelong a supporting sponsor.

For the full Regions Rising event program and ticket details, head to the website at regionalaustralia.org.au