2006

This paper critically evaluates the related concepts of the 'deserving community' and 'self-help' forms of governance that have underpinned the economic development initiatives of the Dorset local government area, North East Tasmania. Following the announced closure of a major food processing factory, this region implemented a regi ....

Skill shortages are a well documented issue both in Australia and overseas, but the problem itself is not well defined. Most of the previously published work has been conducted on a national or industry wide scale. The BTRE approach focused on the relationship between skill shortages and location, using local skill audits, commissioned reports an ....

This research investigates industrial regional growth and its determinants in Mexico from 1993 to 2003. Strategies of local economic development, usually based on industrial promotion, require knowing main determinants of industrial regional growth. The case study shows that there is no variable with a systematically strong effect for a ....

Facing severe ecological damages and a large population, it is imperative for farmers of the Sichuan Province to seek alternative land-use practices to optimize their production. Agroforestry, the union of agriculture, forestry, and/or livestock in one harmonious system, is one way verified to increase agricultural productivity and to b ....

According to most publicised indicators, Australia's economic performance over the past decade has been exemplary. Incomes have increased, unemployment has decreased, and the inflation rate has remained low. In addition, nearly all home-owners have received gratifying capital gains. For many, this additional wealth has provided psychological comp ....

The Sugar Link project was established in 2004 to help develop a shared vision for a sustainable sugar supply chain. The project focused specifically on the New South Wales sugar industry (including key supply chain partners) and their vision/strategies for moving towards a sustainable sugar supply chain. The project did not attemp ....

The Suicide Prevention for Country SA initiative is based on central coordination, support and the development of cross regional networking. The origin, development, model of operation, and activities of the initiative are described. The paper discusses the focus on young people and Aboriginal men in suicide prevention, the role of ....

The provision of quality pharmacy services to rural and remote communities is influenced by the National Strategy for the Quality Use of Medicines. The implementation of this strategy is challenged by the shortage of pharmacists in rural areas. Australia compares unfavourably with both the UK and US in this regard. The Fourth Commu ....

In recent years there has been a net migration from the regions to coastal and metropolitan Australia. Now the attraction and retention of professionals to regional areas is emerging as a major problem for Australia. This paper reports the results of a study to scope the nature, severity and extent of the problem in Queensland. Rep ....

The blame game between the Commonwealth and the states is a feature of Australia's health system. This report suggests that an Australian Government led 'national health agenda' may address this problem. It explores and makes recommendations relating to: problems with existing funding arrangements; possible models for reform; fundi ....

Regional governance is being embraced across rural Australia by a diverse ensemble of actors, including rural communities, private corporations, environmental activists and government agencies. The promoters of regional governance argue that utilising approaches to governance such as ‘regional partnerships' improves the functionality and democ ....

This report examines how drought affects educational access and provision in rural and remote areas, drawing upon interviews with affected communities. The report considers the effects on primary school students, secondary students, tertiary students, and Indigenous students, and the use of allowances, home tutoring, township accom ....

This paper examines the economic impact of the Coffs Harbour Education Campus (CHEC) on the Coffs Coast region of New South Wales (NSW). CHEC is an educational campus which combines offerings from three partners. These are Southern Cross University, Technical and Further Education (TAFE) NSW and a Senior College for secondary years eleven and twe ....

Technology plays a significant role in regional development, particularly in the manufacturing sector. Technical progress, achieved through incremental change, problem solving and collaboration, enables manufacturers to achieve the economies of scale they need to become competitive in both domestic and international markets. Their ....