Creating opportunities in the regions
Growing our regions through the decentralisation agenda and Regional Deals
Strong regions are critical to Australia’s economic success. Regional Australia employs around one-third of Australia’s workforce, and eight out of Australia’s top ten exports are largely produced in the regions.
Regional Australia often faces distinctive economic, social and environmental challenges such as geographic isolation and distance from services. In response, the Government has targeted investments to improve connectivity and access to services.
Creating jobs
Since 2013 more than 1700 Australian Public Service jobs have been relocated or established outside of Canberra, central Sydney and central Melbourne to support well-paid, secure employment in our regions. In this Budget, the Government has committed to moving a further 191 jobs from Comcare, Indigenous Business Australia, the Australian Financial Security Authority, the Murray Darling Basin Authority, the Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities, and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Regional Deals
Regional Deals are a new place-based approach to government investment in our regions, towns and smaller cities. They bring together the three levels of government to focus on: building economic resilience, facilitating collaboration, investing in local leadership capacity and harnessing each region’s unique strengths.
The Government is rolling out Regional Deals in three locations: Barkly (covering Tennant Creek and the surrounding region in the Northern Territory), Hinkler (focusing on Bundaberg and Hervey Bay in Queensland), and Albury Wodonga on the New South Wales-Victoria border.
Location – Barkly Region, covering Tennant Creek and surrounding areas, Northern Territory
Partners – Australian Government, Northern Territory Government, Barkly Regional Council, and the local community including Aboriginal peoples and local business leaders
Total deal value – $78.4 million
Australian Government funding – $45.4 million
Project description – The 10-year Barkly Regional Deal is Australia’s first ever Regional Deal, improving the productivity and liveability of the Barkly region. Responding to the economic and social challenges facing the region, measures in the Deal will focus on stimulating economic growth, improving social outcomes including reducing overcrowding and improving child safety, and supporting local Aboriginal leadership.
Supporting regions to grow and prosper
Providing support for the advancement of regional communities
Regional communities offer a great lifestyle for Australian families, and the Government is committed to support their liveability and prosperity into the future.
Since 2013, the Government has provided more than $3 billion in support through a number of programs including the Building Better Regions Fund, Stronger Communities Program, Regional Growth Fund, Community Development Grants Program, National Stronger Regions Fund, and Regional Jobs and Investment Packages.
In this Budget, the Government is providing a further $200 million for a fourth round of the Building Better Regions Fund bringing combined total funding including the National Stronger Regions Fund to $1.5 billion, this will continue to create jobs, drive economic growth and build stronger regional communities into the future through infrastructure and community development.
In addition, the Government will allocate $22.7 million for another round of the Stronger Communities Program, bringing total funding for this Program to $117 million, to ensure small community organisations can upgrade their infrastructure, buy new equipment, and continue to provide the social benefits regional communities rely on.
Location – Busselton WA
Total project cost - $4.5 million
Australian Government funding - $1.5 million
Project end date – 31 Dec 2019
The Australian Government committed $1.5 million under round one of the Building Better Regions Fund to support the City of Busselton construct a stage, amphitheatre, market stalls, pathways, nautical themed adventure playground and gardens at the Busselton Jetty foreshore precinct. This project is contributing to the overall Busselton foreshore redevelopment, creating a world class waterfront destination resulting in private investment and increasing tourism visitations which in turn is fostering growth in the regional economy and jobs.
Working together to create great places to live and work
Unlocking the potential of our cities
Working closely with state, territory and local government partners, the Government is assisting urban and regional communities to reach their full potential through City and Regional Deals.
Each deal is customised to make the most of the community’s unique strengths and respond to their specific needs. To date, Deals have focused on increasing access to jobs, services and affordable housing, and stimulating economic activity through infrastructure and innovation.
City Deals with a total Commonweatlh commitment of $5.7 billion are being delivered in Townsville, Launceston, Western Sydney, Darwin, Hobart, Geelong and Adelaide. The Government is continuing to negotiate a deal for Perth while also pursuing a new City Deal in South East Queensland.
Building on the success of the City Deals model the Government is also rolling out Regional Deals in the Barkly, covering the Tennant Creek region in the Northern Territory, the Hinkler region, covering the Bundaberg and Hervey Bay area in Queensland and Albury Wodonga on the New South Wales and Victorian border.
Hover over each state to see the City and Regional Deals
Darwin $107 million
Delivering transformational investments to showcase Darwin as a great place to live, work and study
- Refreshing the city centre, including a new Charles Darwin University Campus
- Redeveloping State Square as the city's pre-eminent outdoor event space
- Partnering with the Larrakia people as the Traditional Owners of Darwin.
Barkly $45.4 million
Delivering a blueprint for the economic, social and cultural future of the Barkly region.
- Addressing overcrowding and increasing housing supply
- Boosting key industries such as tourism, agribusiness and resources
- Supporting local Aboriginal leadership
Perth
under negotiation
Building on the joint government investment in METRONET.
Adelaide $174 million
Growing Adelaide as an innovative and vibrant city, building on its standing as a centre for arts and culture
- Creating an entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity hub on the old Royal Adelaide Hospital site, known as Lot Fourteen
- Growing Adelaide's population via a Designated Area Migration Agreement and piloting a Supporting Innovation in South Australia visa
- Exploring new urban renewal opportunities to manage population growth.
Townsville $380 million
Delivering catalytic infrastructure to drive private investment and support jobs
- Constructing the North Queensland Stadium
- Finalising the Port Channel Capacity Upgrade
- Preserving the Townsville Eastern Access Rail Corridor.
Hinkler (Bundaberg and Hervey Bay Region) $173 million
Developing a plan for economic development to ensure the region can reach its maximum potential
- Identifying key investments and reforms that are required in the region
- Attracting new business to the region and increasing the output of key existing industries.
South East Queensland
under negotiation
Improving the region's global competitiveness and connectivity, and enhancing the region's lifestyle.
Western Sydney $3.6 billion
Improving connectivity, creating jobs and enhancing liveability, building on the investment in the Western Sydney Airport
- Delivering the North-South Rail Link
- Supercharging the Aerotropolis and agribusiness precinct as catalysts
- Initiating the Aerospace Institute.
Albury Wodonga
under negotiation
Developing a strategic plan to form the basis of the deal
Launceston $198 million
Helping Launceston to become one of Australia's most liveable and innovative regional cities
- Relocating the University of Tasmania main campus from Newnham to Inveresk
- Improving the health of the Tamar Estuary
- Revitalising the CBD.
Hobart $1.1 billion
Solidifying Hobart as the gateway to the Antarctic and Southern Ocean while improving liveability, vibrancy and connectivity
- Helping to create a reliable, sustainable and cost-effective transport system and rebuilding the Bridgewater Bridge
- Supporting international flights from Hobart Airport by providing border services
- Facilitating options for a new Antarctic Science precinct.
Geelong $184 million
Supporting Geelong's continued economic diversification, growing the visitor economy and building a thriving city centre
- Improving infrastructure along the Great Ocean Road and investing in the Shipwreck Coast Masterplan
- Contributing to a new Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre and revitalising the city centre
- Building a new Queenscliff ferry terminal and supporting the Waterfront Safe Harbour project.
Connecting Australian communities
Improving access to communications infrastructure
The Government is investing an additional $220 million in this Budget to improve connectivity in regional Australia.
Improving mobile coverage
The Mobile Black Spot Program is delivering better coverage across regional and remote areas of Australia. To date, the Government’s initial $220 million investment in the Program has delivered 683 new base stations, with a further 364 to be delivered.
The Government will invest $160 million in two further rounds of the Program.
Stronger regional connectivity
The Government’s $60 million Regional Connectivity Program will improve internet and mobile access in regional Australia through targeted upgrades to regional telecommunications infrastructure.
The Program will fund a range of projects to upgrade wireless infrastructure and provide expanded mobile coverage. Improved connectivity will enhance access to healthcare and education, and support the digital transformation of regional businesses.
Bridging the digital divide
The National Broadband Network will enable all Australians to participate in the digital economy and enjoy the full economic and social benefits made possible by faster internet speeds. Three in four homes and businesses can already connect to the NBN. The rollout is on track to be completed by 2020.
