Local Government Growing Regional Australia
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LOCAL GOVERNMENT GROWING REGIONAL AUSTRALIA Volume 2 – Case Studies and Resources March 2015 Acknowledgements The research team for this report comprised: Principal researchers – Dr Robyn Morris, Associate, ACELG, University of Technology Sydney and Adjunct, Edith Cowan University Mr Alex Gooding, Associate, ACELG, University of Technology Sydney Assistant researcher – Ms Lucinda Molloy, Research Officer, ACELG, University of Technology Sydney ACELG Project Manager – Ms Stefanie Pillora, Program Manager – Research, ACELG, University of Technology Sydney Ms Melissa Gibbs, Deputy Director, ACELG, University of Technology Sydney RCA Project Manager – Ms Rachael Sweeney, Project Manager, Secretariat, Regional Capitals Australia The research team also acknowledges the valuable contributions of all the participants who provided information for this research and the RCA Board Members and other stakeholders who provided feedback on the draft report and case studies. The team also acknowledges ACELG and the RCA as the funding bodies for this research and the Commonwealth Government as the ACELG funding body. Disclaimer Contributions and comments were sought from a number of different stakeholder representatives and other individuals in the preparation of this report. The range of views expressed by these participants does not necessarily reflect those of the regional capital councils involved in the case studies or those of the other stakeholders, the RCA, ACELG or the researchers. Citing this report Morris, R., Gooding, A. & Molloy, L. 2015, Local government growing regional Australia, Volume 2, Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government, University of Technology Sydney, Australia. ACELG Research Papers are structured research projects that draw on the relevant literature to present a detailed, yet provisional exploration of a topic to a targeted local government audience. In addition to an analysis of the literature, ACELG Research Papers seek to bring new knowledge to bear on a particular research challenge, and generally involve primary research. ACELG Research Papers reflect substantial input from a range of stakeholders in identifying possible policy options. ACELG Research Papers undergo independent peer review by experts. Published March 2015 Document version 1.0 This work (excluding all photographs) is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/. Copyright of photographs remains with the creator. Table of Contents 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 1 2 Literature review ............................................................................................................. 2 2.1 Overview..................................................................................................................................... 2 2.1.1 Regional economic development ............................................................................................... 2 2.1.2 Regional cities and regions, and regional economic development ............................................ 3 2.1.3 Lack of research .......................................................................................................................... 5 2.2 Defining a strong sustainable regional capital and region ......................................................... 6 2.2.1 What is a regional capital and what is a region? ........................................................................ 6 2.2.2 What is strong and sustainable? ................................................................................................ 9 2.3 Indicators of a strong and sustainable regional capital and region .......................................... 11 2.4 Drivers and inhibitors in building strong sustainable regional capitals and regions ................ 15 2.4.1 Environmental/natural resource endowments ........................................................................ 18 2.4.2 Community capital ................................................................................................................... 19 2.4.3 Entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation ........................................................................... 21 2.4.4 Economic and market conditions ............................................................................................. 22 2.4.5 The institutional environment .................................................................................................. 23 2.4.6 Governance .............................................................................................................................. 23 2.4.7 Leadership ................................................................................................................................ 28 2.5 Case study investigation framework and selection criteria ..................................................... 33 3 Case study methodology ............................................................................................... 37 3.1 Case study structure and process ............................................................................................. 37 3.2 Selected case studies ................................................................................................................ 38 3.2.1 Why Greater Geelong and the Barwon/G21 region? ............................................................... 40 3.2.2 Why Greater Geraldton and the Mid West region? ................................................................. 41 3.2.3 Why Launceston City Council and the Northern Tasmania region? ......................................... 42 3.2.4 Why Mackay and the Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday region?........................................................ 43 3.2.5 Why Wagga Wagga and the Riverina East region?................................................................... 43 4 Case studies................................................................................................................... 45 4.1 City of Greater Geelong and the Barwon/G21 Region, Victoria ............................................... 45 4.1.1 Key characteristics .................................................................................................................... 45 4.1.2 Key drivers and inhibitors ......................................................................................................... 47 4.1.3 Significant recent events .......................................................................................................... 52 4.1.4 The role of local governance and leadership ........................................................................... 54 4.1.5 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 61 4.2 City of Greater Geraldton and the Mid West Region, Western Australia ................................ 63 4.2.1 Key characteristics .................................................................................................................... 63 4.2.2 Key drivers and inhibitors ......................................................................................................... 65 4.2.3 Significant recent events .......................................................................................................... 68 4.2.4 The role of local governance and leadership ........................................................................... 69 4.2.5 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 75 4.3 Launceston City Council and the Northern Tasmania Region, Tasmania ................................. 77 4.3.1 Key characteristics .................................................................................................................... 77 4.3.2 Key drivers and inhibitors ......................................................................................................... 78 4.3.3 Significant recent events .......................................................................................................... 82 4.3.4 The role of local governance and leadership ........................................................................... 84 4.3.5 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 89 4.4 Mackay Regional Council and the Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday Region, Queensland ................ 91 4.4.1 Key characteristics .................................................................................................................... 91 4.4.2 Key drivers and inhibitors ......................................................................................................... 92 4.4.3 Significant recent events .......................................................................................................... 96 4.4.4 The role of local governance and leadership ........................................................................... 98 4.4.5 Conclusion .............................................................................................................................. 102 4.5 City of Wagga Wagga and the Riverina East Region, New South Wales ................................ 106