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REGION AGREES ON THE WAY TO A DIGITAL FUTURE

Acceptance of the Building the Peel’s Digital Future strategy by the Peel Regional Leader’s Forum (PRLF) at their meeting on December 14 is the first step in deciding the way to a digital future for the region after the strategy was endorsed by the RDA Peel Committee.

The Chair of Regional Development Australia Peel, Coral Richards said today “RDA has developed the digital futures strategy so the region can make the most of opportunities presented by the National Broadband Network rollout.  The strategy sets out a way for the region, through a collaborative effort from key agencies and local governments, to improve quality of life for everyone and improve the productivity, liveability and sustainability of the region.”

RDA Peel will be establishing a leadership group to lead the governance, implementation, monitoring and regular revision of the strategy and has already established a sub committee to oversee this function.

Recent announcements of successful applications to provide services under the Community Hubs Program by the City of Mandurah and the Digital Enterprise Program by Business Foundations Inc will complement Building the Peel’s Digital Future.

“RDA is working with these service providers to gain the best value from the funded programs, along with monies RDA Peel received from the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport to raise awareness of the opportunities the NBN presents to the Peel” Coral added.

Building the Peel’s Digital Future will also complement the work being completed by the City of Mandurah in developing their eMandurah strategy.

PRLF Chair Paddi Creevey said, “I am delighted key stakeholders in regional development have endorsed this strategy and will therefore consider its impact, and that of current and future digital technologies in their own plans and strategies.  The Peel region is fortunate to be an early stage NBN rollout site and needs to develop a competitive advantage over other regions by using it in an effective manner.”

Building the Peel’s Digital Future will complement the work being completed by the City of Mandurah in developing their eMandurah strategy.

Building the Peel’s Digital Future is available for download at www.rdapeel.org.au/downloads

AUSTRALIAN INTERNET ACTIVITY

The recent Australian Bureau of Statistics Report 8153.0 – Internet Activity, Australia, Jun 2012 shows a 20% increase in the volume of data downloaded from the internet in the 3 months to 31 March 2012.

Data downloaded by fixed-line broadband accounted for 94% of all internet downloads in the three months ended 30 June 2012.

The volume of data downloaded by fixed-line broadband increased by 21% since the three months ended 31 December 2011. Data downloaded using wireless broadband also continued to grow, recording a 9% increase compared to the three months ended 31 December 2011.

The increase in downloads from December 2007 (59 332 TB) to June 2012 (414 537 TB) has been a staggering 698%.

The report can be accessed at http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/8153.0?OpenDocument

RDA COMMITTEES REAL WINNERS IN NEW FUNDING ROUNDS

Regional Development Australia (RDA) committees have a key role to play in shaping infrastructure investment to meet regional needs during Rounds Three and Four of the Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF).

 The Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon Simon Crean MP, announced the funding rounds this week, inviting applicants to submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for projects that will support local economies, build dynamic communities and enhance liveability across the country.

 Round Three is worth $50 million and will provide grants of between $50,000 and $500,000 for projects located in towns with a population of 30,000 or less.

 Round Four will allocate $175 million through grants of between $500,000 and $15 million for priority regional infrastructure projects that also leverage funding from state and local governments and the private sector.

 As with RDAF Round Two, RDA committees will review EOIs from all potential applicants and select five priority projects for Round Three and three priority projects for Round Four to proceed to full application.

 Coral Richards, Chair of RDA Peel said “RDA committees are community leaders uniquely placed to determine viable projects that align with local priorities and regional plans.”

 “RDA committees are jointly appointed by the Australian and State and Territory Governments and we are in touch with our local communities,” Coral said.

 “We welcome the opportunity to have a strong voice and contribute directly to localism. The regions and local communities are going to be the real winners with the announcement of these new rounds.”

 In prioritising projects, Minister Crean has asked RDA committees to take into account regional priorities, the level of community support for the project, the impact of the project on the region and neighbouring regions, and its readiness to proceed.

 Mr Crean said the Federal Government has improved the RDAF guidelines to make it easier to apply and has broadened  the range of projects which can be funded. He also encouraged proponents to work with the local RDA committee.  ”Keep working with your RDA—it’s the committee that decides which Expressions of Interest (EOI) are selected as priority projects to proceed to full applications.”

More information, including the Rounds Three and Four Guidelines, can be found at

www.regional.gov.au/regional/programs/rdaf

Applicants can direct questions relating to the application and assessment process to rdaf@regional.gov.au

REGIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT TRENDING DOWNWARDS

Regional unemployment has continued its recent downward trend with the Peel region unemployment rate at 5.4% as at 30 June 2012 down from 6.1 in June 2011.

Regional Development Australia Peel (RDA) Chair Coral Richards said, “the latest detailed figures, from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, show a pleasing trend in regional unemployment rate, although we have some way to go to get down to Perth and State rates.”

 “These figures demonstrate the need to create more local job opportunities and match jobseeker skills with employer needs during any workforce planning.” 

Source: DEEWR Small Area Labour Markets June Quarter 2012

PLAN SETS PEEL REGION VISION TO 2032

Regional Development Australia Peel (RDA) has released its strategic plan for the Peel Region to overcome its challenges and achieve economic, social and environmental sustainability by 2032.

 The plan, Peel 2032, has been developed to guide planning by Governments and other organisations and is used to inform the Australian Government of regional issues.

 RDA Peel Chair, Coral Richards, stressed the importance of the plan to the region.  “Peel 2032 identifies the economic, social and environmental issues in the Peel region and demonstrates how they impact on the productivity, sustainability and liveability of the region” she said.

 “It is clear that the way the region does business with Governments and others needs to change or we will face serious challenges around the sustainability of the region” Ms Richards stated.

 Peel 2032 is a living document that will be reviewed and updated as new information and data is received.  An example of this is where RDA Peel, in partnership with the City of Mandurah, Peel Development Commission and Peel-Harvey Catchment Council, is working to identify environmental sustainability indicators to include in the plan so the region can see if they are progressing in this area.

 Peel 2032 is available to download from www.rdapeel.org.au