Regional South Australia will get a multi-million-dollar boost to encourage further economic growth and create jobs with the Marshall Liberal Government extending funding to Regional Development Australia associations across the state.
The $12 million commitment will help fund the seven different Regional Development Australia (RDA) associations support economic growth and prosperity through until 2026.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham said this is another example of the Marshall Liberal Government’s support for regional South Australia.
“Our regions matter is more than just a slogan for our government, it’s a core belief,” Minister Basham said.
“We are committed to making regional South Australia a better place to live, work and raise a family and we are doing this through record investments across health, education, infrastructure and job-creating projects.
“South Australia’s regions are a critical driver of our state economy contributing around $29 billion per year with just under 150,000 people employed in our regions.
“Regional Development Australia associations are a key part of this which is why we are proud to continue to support the seven individual associations with $12 million through to 2026.
“As we start to emerge from COVID-19, the RDAs will play a vital role in the recovery and revitalisation of our regional economies and this funding will provide the regional-based boards with certainty in their planning.
“The RDAs are already a key part of implementing our Regional Development Strategy released in 2021 and the seven regionally based boards provide a critical local voice to decision making.
“They also collaborate with business, local councils and community groups to identify economic opportunities and leverage further investment and assist with strategic regional planning as well as program and project design.
“When they were in office, Labor acted as if South Australia ended at Gepps Cross and completely ignored our regions for 16 years.
“We have reversed that by investing over $3 billion across more than 1,000 projects across the regions, to create thousands of jobs and better lives for South Australians across our regions.
“Only a returned Marshall Liberal Government can continue to deliver positive outcomes for regional South Australia.”
For further information on programs and opportunities available to local communities through South Australia’s seven regionally based RDAs visit www.rda.gov.au
For further information on programs to support the regions, visit www.regionsmatter.sa.gov.au
