Opportunities for Strengthening Rural Towns in NSW

Reference received on 23 September 1999 from the Hon Harry Woods, MP, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Rural Affairs and Minister for Local Government; reported to House, 14 October 1999, 2nd Session, Minutes No. 12, p 109.

Expanding upon the work undertaken through the NSW Government’s Directions Statement on Regional Development, “Rebuilding Country New South Wales”, the Standing Committee on State Development inquire into and report on opportunities to ensure that smaller regional centres maximise their economic potential, giving particular regard to:

• Examination of economic development strategies that these centres could develop to achieve economic growth and employment. This analysis should include the use of mechanisms such as co-operatives, networks and clusters to achieve this growth. This inquiry should not only concentrate on the use of these mechanisms for the production of products and services for export out of the community, but also the utilisation of these tools to provide services and facilities for consumption within the particular community and in the purchase of inputs for the production of products and services;
• How these centres can identify economic development opportunities. What role can the Government play in assisting these communities identify and develop these opportunities;
• Impediments to economic growth in rural communities eg infrastructure, availability of finance, business advice and assistance; and
• Identify strategies for the development and promotion of economic opportunities in small towns.

Reference directed to the Standing Committee on State Development by the Hon. Harry Woods, M.P., Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Rural Affairs and Minister for Local Government. Reference received on 23 September 1999.