South Australian Regional Development Conference was held on June 7 2018, more than 140 delegates attended.

The conference was led by Regional Development Australia and sponsored by SA Water, Informed Decisions, Primary Industries and Regions SA, REMPLAN and Economic Development Australia.

Various presentations explored some of the best Economic Development research in Australia. Delegates who attended received useful insights on current research and strategies for South Australia, priority infrastructure projects, and local procurement by government to support local businesses having a share of infrastructure investment and maintenance; data which presents the signposts and boost awareness of trends in job creation and the skills required.

Keynote presentations included Mr Roger Lee, CEO of Economic Development for Central Oregon – the largest not for profit in the State of Oregon (population 4.1 million) which focused on business development, recruitment, entrepreneurship and growing existing traded-sector employers.

Mr Jack Archer, CEO of Regional Australia Institute presented population dynamics and the importance of skilled migration as key to sustainable regional growth.

The conference also explored the “purpose economy” in meeting the demands of a new generation of workers and delivery of community benefit by business.

 

Presentations from the conference are now available to download here:

Keynote Speaker Roger Lee – CEO of Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO)

Population and Infrastructure Strategy – Jack Archer, Regional Australia Institute

Development Strategy for Reinventing South Australia – Associate Professor Michael O’Neil, Executive Director SA Centre for Economic Studies, University of Adelaide

Shaping Future Cities – Aaron Hill, Lead Director, SA-NT Deloitte Access Economics

The Driving Force of Infrastructure – Rob Kerin

An Economy in Transition – Michael McKay, Principal Economic Analyst, Department for Industry and Skills

Community Energy Infrastructure Projects – Rachel Brdanovic

Connected Communities – Beam Internet, Josh Helbig

The Co-op, Heart of the Barossa – Paul Amos, People Relations Manager and Co-operator

Play Your Part – Maz McGann, Principal

Authenticity as a Driver of Tourism – Craig Grocke Barossa RDA

Music Development Office – Becc Bates Manager, Contemporary Music, Arts South Australia

Purpose, Talent and Job Creation in Regional SA – Don Dunstan Foundation

Planning in the Economic Growth Zone – Latrobe Valley – URPS