Advocating for decentralising government agencies to the Region

SWAN HILL Rural City Council Advocating for Decentralising Government Agencies to the Swan Hill region

The Swan Hill region has distinct and unique rural attributes that align with a number of Commonwealth Government agencies or departments.

This submission is to advocate and highlight these strategic advantages and formally request the Australian Senate to visit the region during their consultation process, regarding the decentralisation of Government departments to rural locations.

Background

Swan Hill is ideally located 340 kilometres from , 530 kilometres from and 940 kilometres from Sydney.

Today both Swan Hill and are thriving rural service centres, combining the related lifestyle and community spirit of traditional rural life, with the facilities and convenience of much larger urban centres. Characteristics include having a diverse and stable workforce, affordable housing, excellent health and education facilities, productive transport infrastructure, a broad range of retail and entertainment facilities and modern recreational reserves and public spaces.

The region has sustained continuous economic growth over the past decade through initiatives such as improving transport infrastructure, the introduction of natural gas, increasing tourism experiences, refining corporate farming practices and value-adding to the existing agricultural production.

Significant private and public sector investment has been made in key infrastructure and community assets, creating numerous business and lifestyle opportunities. This is no more evident than in the with numerous developments stimulating millions of dollars into the local economy. Complimenting these developments, the region is now regarded as one of ’s most agriculturally productive regions. Swan Hill’s economic prosperity is closely related to the success of this industry.

While these important agricultural commodities continue to provide the nucleus and foundation for the region’s economic growth and status, they also provide significant challenges to overcome during unfavourable conditions and circumstances, such as insufficient water entitlements, lack of sufficient rainfall or falling commodity prices.

To assist in reducing these impacts on the local economy, Swan Hill Rural City Council has been working with industry to advocate for the necessary capital infrastructure to assist transitioning and diversifying the local economy.

There also has been significant investment in other areas including manufacturing, retail via CBD redevelopments, tourism product development, as well as our health and education industries. These initiatives further enhance our status as a prominent and growing regional centre.

“Our vision: A vibrant, growing and sustainable community with pride and confidence in a prosperous future.” - SHRCC Council Plan 2013-17 Competitive advantages/strengths

Swan Hill has a number of unique characteristics that would align with the relocation of a suitable government agency or department. These include, but are not limited to:

 Innovative and diverse agricultural industry.

 Innovative engineering and manufacturing enterprises.

 Central location within the south-east part of Australia.

 Central location within a river / lake basin, including the .

 Direct access to capital cities including Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide.

 Skilled and capable workforce.

 Favourable climate and environment for clean energy developments.

Community assets

In addition to the strong economy and terrific natural environment the Swan Hill Rural City Council also boasts tremendous community assets, these include:

 Four primary and three secondary schools

 Regional level hospital

 Local airport (requires investment to be used as a regional airport for public transport)

 A strong and diverse retail and restaurant sector

 Riverside environments with walking and cycling tracks

 Quality sport, recreation and community assets spread across the Municipality

 Diverse, welcoming and friendly communities

The benefits

The relocation of a Government agency to Swan Hill would be advantageous and provide significant assistance to the Swan Hill region in maintaining and growing our economy. The relocation program would benefit the local economy significantly in terms of the following:

 Support job creation.

 Support population growth.

 Increase the demand for education and training.

 Improve awareness of the region.

 Support additional services such as post education services.

 Encourage private investment and activity into the market.

 Align with local and regional strategies including Loddon Regional Strategic Plan 2015-18 and Swan Hill Rural City Economic Development Strategy 2011-16.

The establishment of a new public sector agency / department would provide a clear and transparent message to both the private sector and potential investors, that Swan Hill is a prosperous and growing regional centre.

Relocating to the Swan Hill region would also see direct benefits for the Federal Government including, but not limited to:

 Provide affordable business environment (with CBD rentals around $200 - $270 /sqm) source: Essential Economics Pty Ltd.

 Provide greater efficiency / cost saving.

 Provide liveability benefits for potential employees whilst helping attract and reduce loss of trained staff during relocation process.

 Reduce migration of local talent from rural areas to capital cities (assist with overcrowding issues associated with major centres).

 Promote and support regional economic development.

The region’s unique natural assets and economics of scale align with government departments and agencies in the agricultural, grain and fisheries sectors.

Economic benefit

Relocating one hundred public sector employees to the Swan Hill region would be expected to derive the following economic benefits:

 Directly stimulate the local economy by almost $20 million, with the flow on effects as a result of this in the order of $35 million.

Impact Output Total ($M) Dec 2016

Direct effect Swan Hill (RC) Dec 2016 Industrial effect

Consumption effect $0 $5 $10 $15 $20 $25 $30 $35 $40

Millions

Source: REMPLAN

 The creation of 100 new positions would also support an additional 58 jobs within related industries.

Impact Employment Total (Jobs) Dec 2016

Direct effect Swan Hill (RC) Dec 2016 Industrial effect

Consumption effect 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

Jobs

Source: REMPLAN

This scenario would have a significant impact on the local ‘public administration’ sector, which is currently contributing only four per cent total output for the region ($84 million).

“We will encourage new business development and will provide support to attract new business investment and expansion in the community.” - SHRCC Council Plan 2013-17 Summary

The relocation of a suitable agency/department to the Swan Hill Municipality would provide considerable benefits to the Federal Government, Swan Hill Rural City Council and the regions community and industry.

The regions unique natural assets and economies of scale align well with government departments and agencies in the agricultural, grain and fisheries sectors.

The Government will be able to secure lower running costs and better align service delivery to the local communities that it supports.

For the Swan Hill region, the relocation would have a significant economic and social benefit to the region.

The relocation would play a critical role in supporting population growth and employment opportunities, enabling the region to transform into broader based economies.