The outgoing Chair of Regional Capitals Australia (RCA), Cr Samantha McIntosh of the City of Ballarat, has welcomed the call from the Business Council of Australia for 10 regional cities across the country to be given special 'priority status'.
The call, from Jennifer Westacott, CEO of the Business Council of Australia, came yesterday during a speech at the National Press Club.
Cr McIntosh, who has just finished in her role as Chair of RCA after a year heading the influential lobby group, says Ms Westacott's proposal has considerable merit.
"Governments at state and federal level need to recognise the wealth of talent and opportunity regional Australia represents for the nation. RCA represents 51 regional capital cities, with four million people living in those urban centres and another four million living in the surrounding areas", Cr McIntosh said.
"Regional Australia is ripe for more government attention and for any move, such as the declaration of priority status' for a city, which will result in jobs growth, opportunity and federal investment in infrastructure. The decision to give 'priority status' to 10 regional cities as a means of stimulating economic growth outside Melbourne and Sydney would be welcomed by our organisation.
"Regional economies contribute $255 billion each year to the national economy, imagine how much more growth could be achieved for cities - and their regions - which achieve priority status".
