Show us the money

Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell (pictured above at Mount Gambier’s Valley Lake) has a simple message for the South Australian Government, which last week forecast almost $63billion in regional investment over the next five years.

“The State’s growth is going to come from the regions,” Mr Bell said. “If the State Government invests in regional areas, the State benefits.”

The $62.56billion dollar projected investment figure is outlined in the Regional Development South Australia (RDSA) Regional Blueprint 2023.

This state-wide regional investment pipeline is published annually by RDSA and compiles the investment intentions of the public and private sectors over the next five-year period.

This year’s calculations involved assessments of more than 1000 proposed projects and the $62.56 billion regional investment pipeline figure represents a stark increase on the $44.6 billion calculated in September last year.

“… the State’s growth is going to come from the regions…if the State Government invests in regional areas, the State benefits…” Troy Bell (Member for Mount Gambier)

Private sector investment intentions represent a far greater share of the investment pipeline, at $48.5 billion, compared with public sector investments of $14.1 billion.

Renewable energy, tourism, healthcare and social assistance are the earmarked areas of investment for the Limestone Coast and the Member for Mount Gambier is ready to tap into the projected investment to ensure this region attracts its fair share.

“For a long time I have been pushing for further development in our tourism industry and more recently, our potential to be a hub for renewable energy,” Mr Bell said. “I look forward to working together with government, council and private investors to ensure the Limestone Coast benefits from these investment dollars.”

And he want stop pushing for increased investment in regional South Australia, quoting Premier Peter Malinauskas own words back at the State Government when it comes to that regional investments.

On a pre-election visit to Mount Gambier Mr Malinauskas said ‘people in Adelaide think the regions need Adelaide, but the truth of the matter is Adelaide needs the regions far more’.

“Yet most of the wealth generated in the regions is spent in Adelaide – a $10 Billion Dollar South Road development is just one example,” Mr Bell said.

“We still need supporting infrastructure such as housing, power, roads, telecommunications etc. This is the power of investing in regions.

“It is true the regions rely on the city for specialist services. However, the city also relies on the regions for growth and prosperity.”

South Australian Regional Development Minister Clare Scrivens (pictuured above) described the RDSA Blueprint as a very valuable resource for all stakeholders.

“The State Government recognises these opportunities and that is why we have invested in policies and programs which facilitate regional growth and development, including $15 million annually in the Thriving Regions Fund, $10.2 million to establish the Regional Skills Development Fund, $3.5 million over five years for a dedicated Office for Regional Housing,” Minister Scriven said.

“Ongoing delivery of regional be driven by collaboration between federal, state, and local governments, in addition to businesses, peak bodies and the RDA network.”

Regional Development South Australia executive chair Rob Kerin (pictured below) welcomed the investment but also warned there were challenges in ensuring the regions get maximum bang for their buck.

“… ongoing delivery of regional investment will continue to be driven by collaboration between federal, state, and local governments…” Clare Scriven (South Australian Minister for Regional Development)

“As we navigate the uncertainty of construction, workforce, cost escalation, sparsity of housing supply and workforce, the challenge is how we collectively realise these projects,” Mr Kerin said.