Welcome to The Meeting Post

Thank you for your positive feedback on our inaugural edition of The Meeting Post and welcome to the second edition.

This edition includes features articles on Climate Change: how real is it, the issues and implications and Regional Tourism Trends and Opportunities; best practice examples across the spectrum from a small community initiative with real impacts in a south west Western Australian community to a large, highly innovative infrastructure initiative being developed in Albury; and three recently released resource publications.

SEGRA Australia’s premier national conference on regional issues is now only 5 weeks away.  With a line up of outstanding national and international keynote speakers and close to 50 case studies from practitioners across Australia it is a vital conference on the annual calendar for networking and information sharing amongst those with a commitment to regional Australia.  Register now or visit the website at www.segra.com.au/segra  to read more about speakers and programs.  Hosted by AlburyCity, a strategic regional hub on Australia’s busiest inland transport corridor, the two study tours in conjunction with the conference are guaranteed to be of great interest. 

The Meeting Post is an electronic newsletter for stakeholders with an interest in developing and implementing strategies for regional Australia. It is intended to enhance the opportunities for networking and information sharing amongst regional economic development practitioners, industry, and government and research partners within the regional economic development policy community. The Meeting Post aims to be a clearing house for new research and reports.  If you would like your publication publicised through The Meeting Post or have a successful project to share please contact us on  07 3210 0021.

Climate Change - How real is it, the issues and implications?
by Professor Bob Miles

The community’s knowledge and understanding of climate change is fragmented and confused by a myriad of conflicting information and political posturing. This appears to be largely driven by commercial interests about climate change and its causes. What is needed is a readable objective synopsis of the available evidence to date and an evaluation of the likely impacts to the community, industry and the environment.

The reason why this information is now needed is that many parts of the eastern sea board of Australia have in the past 50 years recorded a significant and progressive decline in average rainfall. Projected declines include a further 15% reduction by 2030 and a further 40% reduction by 2070. Annual average temperature has also risen at rates higher than previously recorded changes. To read Professor Bob Miles’ paper, please visit the SEGRA website.

Tourism Futures, key successful strategies for regional tourism

Tourism impacts significantly on the Australian economy.  In 2003-2004 the tourism industry accounted for $32 billion directly and nearly $26 billion indirectly to Australia Gross Domestic Product.  This is equivalent to 7.1% of the Australian Domestic Product.1

In 2004 domestic and international visitors spent $63.7 billion in Australia. Of this amount, international visitors spent $12.6 billion and domestic visitors accounted for over four fifths - $51.1 billion.  54% of the domestic visitor and 22% of international spending was in regional Australia (ie excluding eight capital cities and the Gold Coast tourism region).2

It is vital that regional Australia recognises and responds to the changing expectations and emerging opportunities of regional tourism.  These issues were among the subjects discussed at the recent Tourism Futures conference conducted on the Gold Coast.

“There are some major challenges facing the industry. The issue of fuel is monumental in itself.On top of that the industry really needs to face up to climate change and take some meaningful steps towards reducing carbon footprints. And the whole area of building visitor numbers and marketing is a colossal challenge – but there were some very inspiring guide ropes into the future,” said Mr Charters.

Key strategies for future regional tourism discussed at the conference included:

• It is our unique wildlife that is a really valuable asset and we have failed to capitalise on it to date.
• The overhaul of New South Wales Parks is one of the most exiting makeovers in the country. It has adopted a very progressive and entrepreneurial approach to the parks, developing some very interesting partnerships with industry and using the parks, which are a truly significant national asset, tot mature our tourism product – particularly in the regions.
• Australian operators and major government agencies shared their experiences and strategies, including the successful branding of Victoria and the city of Melbourne.
• Just like Southern Africa promotes its ‘big five’, Australia may soon go one better and be the home of the ‘big six’ and rather than shying away from the long haul travel it takes to get to here, Australia could soon be promoting the vast open spaces.
• While Australia is considered one of the world’s most desirable destinations, the marketing pitch needs to target the baby boomers and backpackers who have plenty of time, as well as tapping into the 2 billion people to our north.
• We need to get on the front foot about our isolation, our unique wildlife and our natural assets.  We can offer amazingly different experiences within the safety of a stable, clean, friendly environment.
• Social networks and consumer generated reviews are like word-of- mouth on steroids and with more people around the world using the internet than watching television it is a potentially our best promotion tool ever.
• The latest industry survey, Tourism Futures conducted in the lead up to the
  pre-eminent Tourism Futuresconference by Roy Morgan Research found nearly 40 per cent of the industry identified grey nomads or senior tourism as the best opportunity for growth in the next 12 months.

To obtain password access to the conference proceedings or purchase a CD Rom please visit:
1. Tourism Australia, 2004  Indirect Economic Contribution of Tourism to Australia 1998-99 to 2003-2004. Canberra.
2. Tourism Australia, 2004 Travel Expenditure by Domestic and International Visitors in Australia’s Regions, Canberra.

Strategic Financial Planning for Regions - report now available

The challenge for council leaders is unique in driving financial performance; balancing the demand for infrastructure, asset renewal and services with revenue streams that lack the pricing flexibility of the private sector.

David Brown, managing partner local government at NAB Government Business said, “Councils are clearly facing more and more costs and are finding it increasingly challenging to manage their cashflow positions due to various factors beyond their control.“

NAB's Financial Management Insights for Australian Councils report takes an independent look at the financial health of councils around Australia, allowing you to benchmark your council's performance and identify opportunities for future improvement.

For your complimentary copy of this inaugural report, contact David Brown, Managing Partner - Local Government, at david.brown@nab.com.au

New Community Engagement Resource
by LGA of SA President, Mayor Joy Baluch

Local Government across Australia has for years used a variety of methods to encourage consultation and to engage communities in Council processes and projects.

Yet Councils are no strangers to the following scenario: a public meeting is called and advertised, staff delegated to attend, PowerPoint’s prepared, the coffee urn bubbling with biscuits at the ready and three people turn up, including a Councillor from a neighbouring Council.

This story is replicated across Australia where Councils (and other spheres of Government) have attempted to engage the community but the exercise ends in frustration. The Council concludes the community is apathetic and a week later a community group probably criticizes the Council for not consulting enough.

The fact that this was not a uniform experience suggested to us however that there was hope.  The Local Government Association in South Australia decided that it was time to look for an approach which would bring greater science into the process.

Following conversations with the South Australian Office of State/Local Government Relations which was keen to work with the LGA in this area and an agreement for joint project funding, LGA of SA began talking with the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2).

Initially, the LGA of SA surveyed all 68 SA Councils seeking information on case studies of community engagement. The survey results were published in June 2007 along with a Community Engagement Showcase on leading practice examples in Local Government in SA: www.lga.sa.gov.au/goto/engage.

During the next stage of the project the LGA employed consultant Margaret Heylen as Project Manager and Barbara Chappell, the Community Engagement Officer with SA’s Onkaparinga Council and IAP2 SA Coordinator as author, to take Onkaparinga’s engagement manual (based on the IAP2 model) and work with four pilot Councils to turn the information into a general handbook which any Council could use.

The result was the publication of the Community Engagement Handbook, A Model Framework for leading practice in Local Government in South Australia in March 2008. It was launched as a part of a seminar for Council staff which included LGAQ Social Policy Adviser Ms Desley Renton as the keynote speaker and Australasian President of IAP2.

This Handbook promotes the values and best practice principles associated with involving the public in government and industry decisions which affect their lives. It provides a consistent approach to community engagement which will help promote a common understanding and approach between Councils and communities.

The use of common language and broad approaches should also make the process of learning and sharing experiences between Councils much easier.

The focus of the Community Engagement Handbook is on getting the basics right. This essentially involves a model framework to assist Councils to plan effectively for community engagement rather than enthusiastically reaching out for interesting or new engagement techniques without proper planning.

The Handbook is based squarely on the principle that getting the planning right first will make it easier to select the right engagement techniques to apply. Hopefully it will mean we see no more examples of largely empty halls with expectations not met.

The Handbook is a valuable tool for all those who have an interest in and responsibility for designing and implementing community engagement initiatives. This includes Council Members and staff from a range of disciplines - Planning and Development, Social Planning, Community Development, Library Services, Infrastructure and Traffic Management, Governance, Strategy and Policy, and Customer Service.

One of the most important roles for an elected member in any sphere of Government is to participate in making policy and decisions on behalf of their community.

Council Members cannot be expected to have perfect and detailed knowledge about all sections of the community, all of the issues facing communities or changes occurring in some areas. Most welcome sound processes designed to ensure they have more detailed knowledge about community views in a range of areas and being recognised in the electorate as someone who listens to their community.

Community expectations about decision-making processes have also changed over time. The days of citizens electing Governments at any level and leaving them to make decisions on their behalf during their term of office without being engaged in the process are long gone.

Increasingly, citizens expect to have some control over matters that affect their living environment, and to see governments actively telling them about what plans they have, and listening and responding to concerns about matters which impact on the social, economic or environmental wellbeing of their local community.  

It is important to maintain the integrity of an objective and unbiased community engagement process and to provide feedback so communities can understand how their input was used in a decision-making process.
 
The LGA of SA is soon to consider how to further promote the handbook’s framework and ways in which Councils can be further supported. Its Education and Training Service is already working with IAP2 to offer ongoing courses to support skills development.

It will also consider another approach taken by LGAQ which is applying the framework to its own engagement practices with Councils.  The LGA of SA is highly conscious of the importance of being seen to “walk the talk.”

Through the looking glass: the future of domestic tourism in Australia

The changing economic conditions in Australia and advances in technology have brought a widening array of goods and services within reach of Australian consumers. Combined with an increasing pace-of-life, this has led consumers to become increasingly demanding and discerning in how they spend their time and money. The Australian domestic tourism industry has not fared well in the face of these competitive pressures.

This report by Tourism Research Australia highlights the importance of taking action and outlines many of the challenges that need to be addressed. This report considers a number of strategic and operational issues which impact on the industry’s international competitiveness in terms of visitor experience, product and service.  

For a copy of the full report go to www.tra.australia.com

About Australia's regions 2008
by Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics

This booklet provides an accessible introduction to social, economic and environmental statistics for Australia's regions. Information is presented under the following broad themes: population; society; regional economies; housing; transport and communications; education and health; and environmental issues. Its findings include:

    • From 2001 to 2006 the percentage of Australian dwellings with internet access increased from 35 to 63 per cent;
    • Unemployment rates are lowest in remote areas, for example Roxby Downs (SA) and Esperance (WA), but higher in inner regional areas, for example Byron Bay (NSW) and Morwell (VIC), but that employment in agriculture dropped by between two and three percentage points, reflecting drought conditions;
    • Metropolitan Perth topped the list as the fastest growing local government area, while all 10 of the lowest income areas are outside our major cities;
    • About 70 per cent of people travelling to work in major cities drive
a car, compared to only 40 per cent in very remote Areas.

For a copy of the full report please visit http://www.bitre.gov.au/info.aspx?ResourceId=638

An Intermodal Rail Hub for Albury

The Colin Rees Group (CRG) has recently commenced construction of an intermodal transport hub, just 10 minutes from the Albury CBD. The Ettamogah Hub is situated on 20 hectares and has direct access to an existing 600 metre long rail siding on the Melbourne–Sydney standard gauge line. The hub will offer unrestricted access and choice of rail transport provider.

The hub will commence operations in late 2008, with an initial capacity of 100,000 tonnes of freight per annum. Warehousing, a Rail Technology Centre, driver and rail-infrastructure training facilities, an empty container pool, and import and export facilities are planned for development over a six year period at an estimated cost of $22 million.

In offering an alternate regional supply chain option, the Ettamogah Hub will enhance the advantages of Albury’s strategic location on the Hume Highway corridor, bringing sustainable economic benefits to the greater region. For more information: www.ettamogah-hub.com.au

Project Manager Phil Clements and Col Rees on the existing siding that is about to be given a new lease of life.

The 'Out There' Mobile Youth Space
by Deanna Giumelli, Regional Coordinator – Warren Blackwood, South West Development Commission

Two issues most commonly encountered by young people in South West Regional Australia are a)   the need for a safe and welcoming space and b) access to activities and facilities, usually hindered by lack of transport. The ‘Out There’ Mobile Youth Space in South West Western Australia an innovative solution to a regional problem and as a result all South West communities now have access to a youth facility.

The ‘Out There’ Mobile Youth Space is  an outstandingexample of its kind in Australia; a caravan type unit containing a variety of equipment that can be used to facilitate a broad  range of healthy leisure and recreational activities for young people in South West regional communities. The MYS has its own power and can operate anywhere in the South West from the bush to beach, from car park to oval. More about the ‘Out There’ Mobile Youth Space project will be presented at SEGRA 2008.

Junkadelic, the Premier of WA Alan Carpenter
and community artist Angie Pannone

SEGRA, Albury NSW, 18-20 August 2008

Creative solutions – expect them to be different is the focus of discussion at the twelfth Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia (SEGRA) being conducted in Albury from 18 to 20 August 2008.

“SEGRA is the meeting post for some of the nations best thinkers and practitioners on issues affecting regional Australia. Three hundred plus delegates will gather in Albury to share their original, diverse and valuable experiences and elaborate on ideas to foster new and valuable responses to the challenges facing regional Australia.”

Host Region

“SEGRA will bring together 20 national and international keynote speakers to put forward their ideas on the creative responses regional Australia can take to improve the prospects and opportunities for regional Australia,” says SEGRA Planning Committee Chair, Ms Kate Charters. “There will also be case studies from more than 50 practitioner experts in the field.”

Dr Jim Cavaye, Director, Cavaye Community Development will provide insights for delegates to better mobilise their community to foster sustainable economic development.  With over 25 years experience working with rural and regional communities Jim Cavaye assists a wide range of communities to mobilise assets, organise to take action and have more functional organisations.  In addition to a keynote address, Dr Cavaye will be conducting a hands on skills based training program workshop on the final day of the conference. Delegates can learn the “how to” of successful community economic development.

Oliver Freeman, Managing Director of the Neville Freeman Agency,  who is highly regarded for his leadership in developing future-focused strategy, using scenario planning and other foresight techniques will provide a futurist’s perspective.

The Neville Freeman Agency is a futures consultancy that brings together Australia’s best thinkers, practitioners and tools to help communities, businesses and organisations prepare for and influence their future.

Mr Freeman will identify some key future issues that will impact on regional development in the next 15 years. He is particularly concerned how regional Australia can balance the often conflicting demands of environmental sustainability with social progress and economic growth.

Mr Freeman’s presentation leads into a workshop on the final day about designing and using scenarios to inform decision-makers on the future of regional development.

“Oliver Freeman and Jim Cavaye both have hands-on experience in working with urban and regional communities.  They will give our conference goers some practical ideas and strategies to take back to their own regions; some new ways of thinking about planning and building strategies for success into the future,” says Kate.

Adding international expertise is Dr Chris Caton, Chief Economist, BT Financial Group and former head of the Economic Division of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. A leading analyst of the current and future state of both the Australian and international economies, he will be discussing international and national economic trends and some of the implications for regional Australia. 

Bringing significant private and public sector expertise is Bob Shead, partner with BDO Kendalls.  Bob specialises in infrastructure matters and financial management with particular focus on public sector clients.  Bob will be presenting on current developments in structuring infrastructure projects and allocating risks, including through the use of Alliances and PPPs.

Dr Ian Gray, from the Charles Sturt University will be reporting on his most recent, cutting edge research into people’s perceptions of government in regional Australia and what this means for governance. Author of A Future for Regional Australia: escaping global misfortune, he is currently engaged in a research project on regionalism and federalism funded by the Australian Research Council. As a social scientist he has spent significant amounts of research time in the field talking with the people who make their lives in regional Australia.

SEGRA is a unique national forum for policy-makers, economic development practitioners, media, academics and community groups to openly debate ideas and issues affecting the evolution of regional life in Australia, inspiring participants to new and creative solutions.

This year SEGRA is being hosted by AlburyCity.  Albury is a vibrant regional city which is a working example of a region seeking different and innovative strategies to create sustainable solutions for their own community.

“Financial sustainability, infrastructure and strong community are overwhelming driving issues in regional Australia at present, but there are many hot topics for discussion including maintaining the profile of regional Australia on the political agenda, tourism, responding to skills shortages, retaining younger generations in regional Australia, economic development in indigenous communities, not to mention the impact of climate change and the drought,” says Ms Kate Charters.

“The extensive programme of speakers and workshops is our response to the urgent need for understanding and real strategies that can be applied in our regions to help communities adjust and keep economic viability in tact.”

SEGRA is sponsored by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, AlburyCity Council, Murray Darling Basin Commission and the Department of State and Regional Development.

To register for the conference please go to www.segra.com.au/segra.

Two Scenario Planning Workshops     

   • SEGRA 2008, 20 August 9.00am - 1.00pm, Albury with Oliver Freeman &
   • QUEST™ Scenario Planning, 25 - 27 August, Sydney with Oliver Freeman & Richard Bawden AM

The QUEST™ workshop is designed to assist management and their organisations develop strategy planning by examining complex future environments with which an organisation may need to engage in order to survive. The prominent workshop leaders will take delegates through a scenario building process consisting of Questions, Environments, Scenarios and Transformation. Click here to find out more.

Economic Development through Community Invigoration
- half day workshop, Albury NSW, 20 August 2008            
by Dr Jim Cavaye, Director, Cavaye Community Development                

Community economic development often focuses on, well, economics – capturing more dollars locally, business retention and expansion and so on. Yet, sustainable economic improvement goes hand in hand with community capacity such as the ability to redefine assets, organise to take action, engage the broader community and so on. Most people agree – but how do you help community people to do it?

This workshop will help you to better work with community members to foster skills, organisation, motivation and engagement. It will build on your experience and understanding and outline ways of engaging people meaningfully in an era of over-consultation and engagement fatigue. It will help you understand the drivers and barriers to community participation and new ways of involving people in economic development. It will also guide you in helping people to reinvigorate organisations in communities. To read more and register for this workshop, please visit the SEGRA website.

Dr Jim Cavaye

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