A South Australian-first blueprint to drive economic growth in the state’s regions and create jobs across a range of industries has been released by the Marshall Liberal Government. Source: Timberbiz
The Our Regions Matter blueprint focuses on five key areas to drive growth: Regional Voice, Regional Connectivity, Regional Leadership and Skills, Regional Services and Regional Investment.
Premier Steven Marshall said South Australia’s regions were the economic powerhouse that drives prosperity for the whole state.
“Our Regions Matter – contributing around $29 billion per year to the South Australian economy across a range of industries including farming, fishing, mining, manufacturing and tourism,” Mr Marshall said.
“Just under 150,000 people are employed in regional South Australia and it’s important we do everything we can to drive economic growth in our regions, creating local jobs.
“This is why we are 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, focused on health, education and sport.
South Australian Forest Products Association (SAFPA) Chief Executive Officer, Nathan Paine, said the blueprint was a positive and welcome step in reinvigorating the focus on the critical role that regions play in the state and the community.
“From a forest products perspective, our industry creates over 18,000 direct and indirect jobs and contributes over $3 billion to the state’s economy annually,” Mr Paine said.
“As an association we welcome the efforts of Agriculture Minister Basham and Premier Marshall to work to deliver alignment with whole-of-government initiatives to improve the lives of those who live in the regions as well as drive increased investment across South Australia.
“More than ever before, the importance of the forest products industry to South Australia – one of South Australia’s oldest industries – is at the forefront of the minds of decision makers and we will seek to work with Government on this Strategy and to embed forestry into its implementation,” he said.
“This report is to be commended and we look forward to working with Government to deliver stronger and better outcomes in the regions including new investment and population growth,” Mr Paine said.
