Council advocates for decentralisation to combat regional inequalities

Published on 29 May 2018

Rockhampton Regional Council is once again pushing to see Commonwealth departments relocate to regional areas, through a new senate inquiry into Regional Inequality in Australia.

Council’s submission was endorsed at today’s Council meeting, and follows two submissions – which both advocated for decentralisation - lodged last year to inquiries looking for ways to increase regional growth.

Acting Mayor Councillor Tony Williams said Council welcomed the opportunity to once again support the Commonwealth’s proposal to move public service jobs out of Canberra as a way to help address inequality between the cities and regions.

“Aside from funding for infrastructure, it is our belief that the best way for the government to tackle regional inequality is to locate Commonwealth entities in regional capitals like Rockhampton,” Mr Williams said.

“Rockhampton services many other Central Queensland centres, particularly in terms of government representation. We are once again urging the Senate to consider re-establishing government agencies that traditionally had a presence in our Region, and to take advantage of our strategic location.

“Our submission outlines a number of positive flow on effects as a result of decentralisation including the influx of Commonwealth officers and their families, increased local spend, and the presence of more skilled and professional workers.

“It would strengthen communication between regional and urban areas whilst improving policies that reflect and support regional communities, ultimately improving regional inequality.”

The looming Shoalwater Bay Training Area expansion, the status of Rockhampton Airport as a defence airport - which has the fifth highest number of military movements in Australia - and the potential to further develop the region as a defence precinct are specifically highlighted to help build a case for locating defence elements in Rockhampton.

This submission also highlights the historic decentralisation of Commonwealth entities and facilities to Townsville and Darwin as successful approaches.