Natural Resources Centre

Upper Level Cnr Mann & Walker Streets Mount Barker SA 5251

Reference: 18_036 F0002280301 Tel 08 8391 7500 Fax 08 8391 7524 Date: 25 July 2019 [email protected] www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/ samurraydarlingbasin By email - Regions SA

Primary Industries and Regions SA

GPO Box 1671 , SA 5001

Dear PIRSA

Re: South Australian Regional Development Strategy Discussion Paper

Thank you for the opportunity for the Natural Resource Murray-Darling Basin Region (the Region) to comment on the Discussion Paper for the new Regional Development Strategy (the strategy) for South Australia.

The region recognises the value of developing this strategy, identifying the needs of regional South Australia at a state wide level. The discussion this brings is a valuable opportunity for contributions from regional communities and in this regard our region offers the following comments.

1. The paper mentions the natural assets of regional SA – it would be helpful to clarify what the community understand this to be, compared to NRM and Government definitions. P14 lists some of these to be: agricultural land, fish stocks, sunshine hours, mineral deposits etc. Other natural values which could be included are clean water and air, our natural environment, flat land for development and agriculture.

2. The strategy is to be developed in partnership with private investors and the community. There will need to be transparency in the private investor interests, balanced with a good representation of community interests. We may be able to suggest a range of organisations from our region who should be included.

3. It is recommended that the strategy includes a consideration of Aboriginal communities and their views. 2% of the Murray-Darling Basin population identify as Aboriginal, with the regional centres of Murray Bridge and Berri containing a greater representation. It is important in the SA MDB Region that the First Peoples of the River Murray and Mallee Region, the and the Mannum Aboriginal Community Association Incorporated (MACAI) have opportunity and time to engage in developing this strategy. It is possible that they may hold different views of the skills that the regional workforce or leaders should present.

4. Genuine regional growth is unlikely to happen unless supported by financial or other direction from State Government as a stimulus for industry to relocate or establish in regional areas, through incentives or demonstration that the workforce and skills can be found or grown there. Overseas migration into our state is the lowest in Australia, excepting Tasmania. Most of our migrants come to Adelaide. If the government want to change this trend, it will need government policy to promote regional resettlement and overseas marketing to support it.

5. Regional areas could become centres for key skills such as renewable industries. Partnerships with Universities and colleges could develop regional campuses or training centres e.g. agricultural excellence centres, teacher training schools. Decentralization of key government agencies and/or large employers to regional locations drives growth in all sectors to meet the demands of increased populations. Policy is needed to support a social change in the workforce or opportunities to work remotely rather than centrally. With improvements in technology, this becomes a greater possibility, but it would need acceptance by industry/organisations as an acceptable risk or change to current practice.

6. The online discussion has raised the importance of horse racing in regional areas – often employing local unskilled young people. This industry is often overlooked in regional economic discussions, and would benefit from further consideration.

7. Growth of tourism/eco-tourism opportunities and supporting industries should be supported as long as it meets the principles of sustainable development under the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016 and includes full community consultation.

8. Incentives for business diversification into tourism may be an option to regulate and support growth in regional areas.

9. The region is interested in how success will be measured in delivering the strategy, noting that the current RDA Riverland and 2020 Strategic Plan has clear Strategic Directives and measurable outcomes.

10. Given our region’s dependence on agriculture (and other region’s lower dependencies on agriculture), climate change is a key issue which will affect the strategy. The strategy needs to be mindful of the impacts of climate change and the possible adaptation pathways for the regional communities.

Should you require further information on any aspects of the submission please contact Eilidh Wilson, Senior NRM Policy Officer on 8391 7506.

Kind regards,

Amy Goodman Regional NRM Manager