The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) welcomes the “Regionalisation Ambition 2032 – a Framework to Rebalance the Nation” launched today by the Regional Australia Institute.
NFF President Fiona Simson said today’s call for 11 million people in regional Australia by 2032 is an ambitious target, and the NFF’s Regionalisation Agenda and Regional Development Precincts concept provides a roadmap to get there.
“Since the pandemic grasped our nation, regional Australia has experienced unrivalled growth as city dwellers recognise the benefits of bush living,” she said.
“But with this comes a raft of challenges including housing availability and affordability, skills and training opportunities and making sure services like health and education are adequate.”
The NFF’s Regionalisation Agenda recognises that these challenges and opportunities require tri-government support. If we can get this right it will deliver benefits to a range of industries, including agriculture.
“Agriculture punches above its weight in terms of Australia’s economic output and we are on track to become a $100 billion industry by 2030,” Ms Simson said.
“It makes sense that farmers want attractive, well-resourced regional centres with the same level of services you would find in the city.
“Robust regional communities strengthen our supply chains, attract workers and create the communities our farmers support socially and economically.
“Today’s framework is another unifying call from the bush. The opportunity offered by regionalisation is too great for governments at all levels to continue to ignore.”
