Time running out: shaping regional Australia's future

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Primary Industries and Regional Services has conducted an inquiry into the role of infrastructure in assisting the economically sustainable development of Australia's regional areas. The foreword to the Committee's report states that the title 'Time running out' reinforces the urgent need to firstly acknowledge the deficiencies in infrastructure that exist throughout regional Australia and secondly, the need to remedy that lack of infrastructure. Action is needed to ensure that many regional communities don't just survive but learn to thrive once again, it is stated. The report contains chapters on major issues: leadership and local skills; policy, planning and coordination; and finance and investment. The remaining chapters focus on particular sectors or issues: advanced telecommunications; information technology; transport (roads, rail, shipping, airports); energy (electricity, gas, renewable energy); education; water resources; and health.