RDA committees back landmark Upper Spencer Gulf agreement
Published: 27th September 2012
A landmark agreement confirming the importance of a partnership approach to regional development in the Upper Spencer Gulf of South Australia was recently signed in Whyalla by Federal Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government the Hon Simon Crean MP, State Minister for Manufacturing, Innovation and Trade Tom Koutsantonis, and Local Government Association of South Australia President Kym McHugh.
Chairs of RDA committees Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula, Far North and Yorke and Mid North supported the agreement which will help the Upper Spencer Gulf to diversify its economic base and fulfil its role as a key driver of the South Australian economy.
Mr Crean said his address to the International Rural Network World Forum earlier in the morning provided an important backdrop to the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the three levels of government.
"The forum themes of local empowerment and resilience complement the focus of the MOU on place-based policy development in regional communities," Mr Crean said.
"The agreement signed today is underpinned by a strong partnership between the three governments that will join the dots between regional development activities, policies and programs.
"The Federal Government is continuing to work in partnership with state and local governments to advance economic diversity on a place-by-place basis—applying good on-the-ground knowledge to drive effective local solutions.
"The Upper Spencer Gulf is on the cusp of unprecedented levels of private investment in mining, minerals processing, renewable energy and associated services—24 projects worth more than $36 billion expected to rollout in the next decade.
"There is a huge demand for infrastructure associated with the mining boom—not just in the Upper Spencer Gulf, but right across Australia.
"One government alone can't fund it all, but in partnership, governments and the private sector, can," Mr Crean said.
For more information view the media release at Minister Crean's website.