Big ideas about regional Australia

Southern Cross University’s Regional Futures Institute is hosting a national symposium bringing together around 70 of this country’s highest level thinkers on economic and social development to explore the future direction of regional areas.

Director of the Regional Futures Institute, Associate Professor Jeremy Buultjens said the impressive calibre of guest speakers at the Transformational Economic Development Symposium, entitled ‘Big ideas, innovative thinkers and future directions for regional Australia’ would bring a high level of expertise to the event being held in Byron Bay tomorrow (Friday, August 27).

“The Regional Futures Institute is hosting the symposium to provide an environment where new ideas can be raised and people can have the opportunity to think about new possibilities – ideas that may not have been previously considered,” Professor Buultjens said.

“The symposium also represents an opportunity for participants to network and share ideas and expertise in the area of regional development. Many of the best ‘big ideas’ are the result of people networking, building on and bouncing off each other’s ideas.

“The event features a great line-up of speakers and the attendees include many of the key decision makers from the region so it is exciting to consider what will be discussed and what new ideas will come forward,” Professor Buultjens said.

Guest speakers at the symposium include Mr Stephen Cartwright, chief executive officer of the NSW Business Chamber, Mr Justin Hanney, chief executive of Regional Development Victoria, Mr Jodi Sampson, Aboriginal economic development officer, Bunjum Aboriginal Cooperative, Mr Terry Watson, local employment coordinator, Keep Australia Working, Dr Brian Scott, former director of the ANZ board for 20 years and Professor Graeme Hugo, considered a leading demographic expert in Australia.

A strategic document currently being developed by the NSW Business Chamber entitled ‘10 big ideas for growth in the Northern Rivers’ will be one of the discussion points at the symposium.

Mr Cartwright said the document grew out of the ‘10 Big Ideas to Grow NSW’ project that began statewide in March and has now been picked up by individual cities and regional areas throughout the state.

“What we are seeing now is local communities putting together their own solutions and priorities for jobs, investment and growth. In many cases we are seeing smart, organic solutions to real issues being put forward – many of these solutions and ideas do not require a great deal of money, just a willingness by government to ‘have a go’,” Mr Cartwright said.

“The ‘10 big ideas for growth in the Northern Rivers’ is a working document and already there have been ideas like – establishing a cross border commission to ease the red tape burden, establishing a Northern Rivers food brand which recognises organic and environmental food practices, creating a regional economic unit within the local government and making the region an Economic Development Zone with competitive tax rates.”

The Transformational Economic Development Symposium is an invitation only event however to ensure a cross section of people attended, the Regional Futures Institute recently ran an online competition offering community members and students the opportunity to win a seat at the table by submitting an entry outlining why they would like to attend the symposium. Three competition winners will be attending the symposium.

The symposium will be held at the Byron at Byron resort in Byron Bay on Friday, August 27. For further information visit: www.scu.edu.au/regionalfutures or email: regionalfutures@scu.edu.au.

The event is supported by Thomas Noble & Russell Chartered Accountants and Pinancle Business Solutions.

Archive photo: Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Lee addressing the Regional Futures Institute Think Tank held in Lismore in March. Media are invited to attend