Identifying and communicating current issues for regional Australia

The development of policy affecting regional Australia is dependent on a range of information that is collected at many levels. For regional communities to prosper it is important that issues of importance and relevance to regions be collected and considered in the decision making processes of planners and policy makers. This paper reports on an extensive study of regional Australian stakeholders consisting of considered experts, government, business and community members who contributed data via a community consultation process. The data was analysed and developed through a series of action research stages and categorised to identify six broad themes that propose directions for the future. The broad themes span governance, the economy, infrastructure, population and social issues, natural resource use management, and cultural and land rights issues. Each is discussed in detail and provide insights for future action that will promote a stronger Australia.