tag:theconversation.com,2011:/id/topics/regional-cities-40955/articlesregional cities – The Conversation2023-08-22T23:21:49Ztag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2107162023-08-22T23:21:49Z2023-08-22T23:21:49ZWide verandas, picket fences or the CBD? How coastal cities near the capitals could ride post-COVID waves of growth<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/543654/original/file-20230821-17-mca6ku.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=11%2C0%2C3974%2C2653&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>The COVID-19 pandemic triggered population <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/more-growth-regions-during-pandemic">growth in regions</a> at the expense of capital cities. Regional migration has since stabilised, but the pandemic has left its mark. Australians reassessed where they wanted to live and work. </p>
<p>Our <a href="https://imoveaustralia.com/project/project-outcomes/long-term-pandemic-impact-on-business-and-residential-location">research</a> released today shows Australian cities and regions are continuing to change beyond the initial pandemic impacts. It’s likely there will be a long-term effect on where we choose to live and work.</p>
<p>We found the pandemic has increased the attractiveness of regional cities that are large, coastal and close to a major capital city. Our research found most Australian households would prefer to live in such a regional city if they could find comparable work there. These preferences are likely to lead to two waves of decentralisation that drive growth in these cities.</p>
<p>We also predict the long-term impacts of the pandemic will be limited for regional cities that are either small, inland or far away from a capital city. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="aerial view of Geelong looking inland from the bay" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/543656/original/file-20230821-23-3kdumc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/543656/original/file-20230821-23-3kdumc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543656/original/file-20230821-23-3kdumc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543656/original/file-20230821-23-3kdumc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543656/original/file-20230821-23-3kdumc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543656/original/file-20230821-23-3kdumc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543656/original/file-20230821-23-3kdumc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">Most households would prefer to live in a large regional coastal city, such as Geelong, if they can find suitable work there.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/lets-just-do-it-how-do-e-changers-feel-about-having-left-the-city-now-lockdowns-are-over-188009">'Let's just do it': how do e-changers feel about having left the city now lockdowns are over?</a>
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<h2>Businesses still love the CBD</h2>
<p>To discover the impacts of the pandemic on residential and business location choices, we surveyed over 2,900 households and 900 businesses Australia-wide in 2022 and 2023. We coupled this with extensive interviews and focus groups. We also examined multiple datasets. </p>
<p>We found businesses still want CBD locations in the largest capital cities. They believe regional centres lack access to the high-quality premises, labour and markets they need to succeed. </p>
<p>Businesses are willing to pay an extra $700 per square metre a year to be in a capital city CBD rather than a suburb in the same city. (This is significantly higher than current differentials in market rents). </p>
<p>The short-term impacts of the pandemic and lockdowns were especially harmful for businesses in capital city CBDs. Some 11% of these businesses reported downsizing, compared to 4% in regional cities. </p>
<p>However, we predict high levels of CBD vacancies that occurred through the pandemic won’t last. We found the underlying demand for commercial real estate in CBDs is still strong.</p>
<p>While <a href="https://population.gov.au/publications/statements/2022-population-statement">predictions</a> that Melbourne and Sydney will remain our most populous cities are strong, we have evidence that the pandemic has eroded their relative attractiveness. Brisbane has emerged as the most attractive destination for businesses. Adelaide and Perth have held steady, compared to pre-pandemic trends, and Melbourne and Sydney are now less favoured than before.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="View across river of Brisbane CBD at twilight" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/543655/original/file-20230821-19-qnon0v.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/543655/original/file-20230821-19-qnon0v.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543655/original/file-20230821-19-qnon0v.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543655/original/file-20230821-19-qnon0v.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543655/original/file-20230821-19-qnon0v.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543655/original/file-20230821-19-qnon0v.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543655/original/file-20230821-19-qnon0v.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">Brisbane is emerging as a preferred location for businesses.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/we-havent-built-it-and-theyve-come-the-e-change-pressures-on-australias-lifestyle-towns-188228">'We haven't built it, and they've come': the e-change pressures on Australia's lifestyle towns</a>
</strong>
</em>
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<h2>I’m working from home. Where will I get my coffee?</h2>
<p>In terms of where people prefer their homes to be, the pandemic has increased the relative long-term popularity of middle and outer suburbs, at the expense of inner-city neighbourhoods. Workers strongly prefer suburban locations roughly 10km from the CBD. People not in the workforce want much more distance between them and the CBD – they prefer around 20-35km.</p>
<p>Our research shows uptake of remote work has stabilised at 20-25%. This is much higher than the pre-pandemic levels of <a href="https://imoveaustralia.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/IMove-UniSA-WfH-Research-Project-FINAL-CLEAN.pdf">2-8%</a>. </p>
<p>With more people working from home, and more preferring suburban neighbourhoods and the quality of life they offer, our dependence on the retail shops and restaurants associated with inner-city life will be reduced. In the long term, this is likely to change the composition of CBDs and move some of these supporting services to the suburbs. In other words, the more time we spend at home, the more services we need nearby, including a range of local choices in barista coffee. </p>
<p>While Melbourne and Sydney remain our most populous cities, since the pandemic, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth have become Australia’s most popular capital city destinations for residents. With these cities being attractive to both residents and businesses, we are likely to see growth in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/543646/original/file-20230821-25-3qb6yh.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Conceptual framework of how pandemic-related long-term changes are likely to affect business and residential location patterns." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/543646/original/file-20230821-25-3qb6yh.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/543646/original/file-20230821-25-3qb6yh.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=266&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543646/original/file-20230821-25-3qb6yh.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=266&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543646/original/file-20230821-25-3qb6yh.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=266&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543646/original/file-20230821-25-3qb6yh.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=335&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543646/original/file-20230821-25-3qb6yh.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=335&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543646/original/file-20230821-25-3qb6yh.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=335&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Conceptual framework of pandemic-related long-term changes that are likely to affect business and residential location patterns.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Source: Authors</span></span>
</figcaption>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/regional-australias-time-has-come-planning-for-growth-is-now-vital-149170">Regional Australia's time has come – planning for growth is now vital</a>
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<h2>Two waves of decentralisation</h2>
<p>The combined effect of residential and business preferences means there are likely to be two waves of population decentralisation. Large coastal cities near the capitals are likely to benefit most from this.</p>
<p>In the short term, people not in the workforce and those with fully remote jobs will lead the first wave of population decentralisation. Without being tied to a work site, they are free to pursue the benefits of living in a regional location. </p>
<p>Then, as people move, jobs and businesses will follow. The result will be a second wave that includes a broad range of people, including those with jobs that cannot be done remotely.</p>
<p>These two waves of decentralisation will lead to population movement out of inner-city addresses, and growth in the suburbs. Large urban areas such as Sydney and Melbourne will continue to expand. Capital cities will swallow up surrounding smaller cities such as Wollongong and Newcastle. </p>
<p>And what about the wide verandas of our small, remote inland cities? Without industry diversification and government intervention, these places are unlikely to benefit from the predicted population and economic growth. </p>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/why-do-small-rural-communities-often-shun-newcomers-even-when-they-need-them-199984">Why do small rural communities often shun newcomers, even when they need them?</a>
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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/210716/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Akshay Vij receives funding from the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the Department of
Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA); and the
iMOVE Cooperative Research Centre (CRC)</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Lynette Washington does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Research on where businesses and households want to be points to growth in suburban and regional centres on the coast, with Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth also gaining ground on Sydney and Melbourne.Akshay Vij, Senior Research Fellow, University of South AustraliaLynette Washington, Research Fellow, UniSA Business, University of South AustraliaLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1609322021-06-20T20:17:03Z2021-06-20T20:17:03ZNSW on a slow track to fast trains: promised regional rail upgrades are long overdue<p>We have seen a succession of reviews, plans and election promises of faster and better train services for regional New South Wales, home to one <a href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/about-nsw/key-facts-about-nsw">third of the state’s population</a>, in recent years. Yet little had been heard from the state government on track works to allow new trains to travel faster until April 29 this year. This was when Premier Gladys Berejiklian <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/people-said-couldn-t-be-done-premier-says-nsw-on-track-for-faster-rail-network-20210428-p57n5n.html">told</a> a Sydney conference that serious regional development will need faster rail (trains moving at 150-200km/h on upgraded track with some straightening of track) and fast rail (speeds of 200-250km/h on new dedicated track).</p>
<p>The promised <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/people-said-couldn-t-be-done-premier-says-nsw-on-track-for-faster-rail-network-20210428-p57n5n.html">outcomes</a> include Sydney to Newcastle by rail in an hour rather than two-and-a-half hours, 25 minutes taken off Sydney-Wollongong and Sydney-Gosford train trips and travel between Sydney and Goulburn in under an hour instead of two-and-a-half hours for express trains. Details are still awaited on which lines will take priority and the scope of this work.</p>
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<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/we-can-halve-train-travel-times-between-our-cities-by-moving-to-faster-rail-116512">We can halve train travel times between our cities by moving to faster rail</a>
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<p>These developments have been years in the making. In late 2018, the NSW government <a href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/a-fast-rail-future-for-nsw">announced</a> international expert Andrew McNaughton would advise the government how best to deliver a fast rail network to connect Sydney to regional centres. Four lines were identified:</p>
<ul>
<li>north to the Central Coast, Newcastle and beyond</li>
<li>west via Lithgow to Orange/Parkes</li>
<li>southern inland to Goulburn/Canberra</li>
<li>southern coastal to Wollongong/Nowra. </li>
</ul>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/406664/original/file-20210616-3785-1vkid69.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Map showing routes of four fast rail lines between Sydney and regional NSW" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/406664/original/file-20210616-3785-1vkid69.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/406664/original/file-20210616-3785-1vkid69.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/406664/original/file-20210616-3785-1vkid69.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/406664/original/file-20210616-3785-1vkid69.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/406664/original/file-20210616-3785-1vkid69.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=425&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/406664/original/file-20210616-3785-1vkid69.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=425&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/406664/original/file-20210616-3785-1vkid69.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=425&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
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<span class="caption">The four fast rail lines connecting Sydney to regional NSW.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/a-fast-rail-future-for-nsw">A fast rail future for NSW/NSW government</a></span>
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<p>This followed a 20-Year Economic Vision for Regional NSW (recently <a href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/a-20-year-economic-vision-for-regional-nsw-refresh">refreshed</a>), which included a commitment to “make regional travel faster, easier and safer between and within regional centres, and to metropolitan areas”.</p>
<p>Transport for NSW also released a <a href="https://future.transport.nsw.gov.au/plans/greater-newcastle-future-transport-plan">Greater Newcastle Future Transport Plan</a> in 2018. The plan outlined track work to enable trains to travel at higher speeds (with new ones now being delivered). This work included “reducing track curvature, deviations and realignments, removal of level crossings, junction rearrangement and better segregation of passenger and freight services”. </p>
<p>There have also been three studies of NSW track upgrades co-funded by the <a href="https://www.nfra.gov.au/">National Faster Rail Agency</a>.</p>
<p>In the lead-up to the March 2019 NSW election, funding was announced for a limited suite of track upgrades on the four main lines linking Sydney to regional NSW. The government also raised expectations of a new line from Eden to Cooma and the reinstatement of the line from Cooma to Canberra. </p>
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<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/how-the-nsw-election-promises-on-transport-add-up-112531">How the NSW election promises on transport add up</a>
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<iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/h7bMvkP5yLM?wmode=transparent&start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<figcaption><span class="caption">A NSW government video outlining the promise of fast rail in late 2018.</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Much slow running of regional trains on each of the four main lines from Sydney is on sections of track that, about 100 years ago, were reconstructed with less steep climbs than 19th-century track. This allowed steam locomotives to handle heavier loads, but came at the expense of extra length and more curves. </p>
<p>Such track now slows down modern <a href="https://edisontechcenter.org/Dieseltrains.html">electric and diesel trains</a>. The table below shows the extent of the problem in NSW. It also shows indicative time savings from reverting to straighter track alignments (found in most cases by <a href="http://railknowledgebank.com/Presto/home/home.aspx">simulation work</a> by my co-researcher, Max Michell).</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/406669/original/file-20210616-15-1dgzn0o.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Table showing time savings from straighter track alignments on NSW regional rail lines" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/406669/original/file-20210616-15-1dgzn0o.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/406669/original/file-20210616-15-1dgzn0o.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=303&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/406669/original/file-20210616-15-1dgzn0o.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=303&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/406669/original/file-20210616-15-1dgzn0o.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=303&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/406669/original/file-20210616-15-1dgzn0o.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=381&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/406669/original/file-20210616-15-1dgzn0o.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=381&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/406669/original/file-20210616-15-1dgzn0o.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=381&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption"></span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Table: The Conversation. Data: Author provided</span>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Other states acted decades ago</h2>
<p>Following track-straightening works between Brisbane and Cairns for faster and heavier freight trains, in 1998 Queensland Rail introduced a tilt train operating at speeds of up to 170km/h between Brisbane and Rockhampton. The train was well received and by 2002 had carried <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_Tilt_Train">1 million passengers</a>.</p>
<p>In 2004, new <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Prospector_(train_service)">Prospector diesel rail cars</a> were introduced to allow Perth-Kalgoorlie services to operate up to 160km/h with an average of 100km/h. </p>
<p>Victoria’s Regional Fast Rail Project was mostly completed by 2006. Following track upgrades on four lines to Bendigo, Ballarat (with deviations to improve train times), Geelong and Gippsland, new V/Locity trains travel at 160km/h. Within five years, patronage on these services had <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regional_Fast_Rail_project">doubled</a>. </p>
<p>Victoria has followed up with two further extensive track upgrading programs, each with significant federal funding. The first was <a href="https://www.victrack.com.au/projects/past-projects/regional-rail-link">Regional Rail Link</a> (2009-15). Currently, at a cost of over A$4 billion, <a href="https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/regional-rail-revival">Regional Rail Revival</a> is upgrading every regional line in the state.</p>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/this-is-how-regional-rail-can-help-ease-our-big-cities-commuter-crush-81902">This is how regional rail can help ease our big cities' commuter crush</a>
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</p>
<hr>
<h2>What about a decent service to Canberra?</h2>
<p>Sydney-Canberra train services are too few and too slow. High-speed rail options with trains capable of 250km/h or more on dedicated track for Sydney to Canberra, and beyond, have been studied extensively since 1984. In 1998, SpeedRail received in-principle support from the Howard government but that did not extend to financial support.</p>
<p>The uptake of bus travel – one operator offers a service on the hour for 12 hours a day – suggests more and faster train services would be well received. </p>
<p>In 2020, Infrastructure Australia listed an upgrade of this rail link as a “<a href="https://www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/map/sydney-canberra-rail-connectivity-and-capacity">priority initiative</a>”.</p>
<p>The train service linking Australia’s largest city with the national capital has been <a href="https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6747301/the-case-for-fast-rail-from-canberra-to-sydney/">taken to task</a> by many commentators. It was recently well described as a “<a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/nsw-signals-renewed-focus-on-privatisation-will-go-it-alone-on-fast-rail-20210429-p57nl4.html">national disgrace</a>”. By way of contrast, New York to Washington DC has many more trains, which are <a href="https://www.amtrak.com/alternative-to-buses-new-york-city-washington-dc-train">much faster than buses</a>. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="train at station" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/406895/original/file-20210616-3629-11rfibv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/406895/original/file-20210616-3629-11rfibv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=389&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/406895/original/file-20210616-3629-11rfibv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=389&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/406895/original/file-20210616-3629-11rfibv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=389&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/406895/original/file-20210616-3629-11rfibv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=489&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/406895/original/file-20210616-3629-11rfibv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=489&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/406895/original/file-20210616-3629-11rfibv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=489&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The slow rail service between Sydney and Canberra has been dubbed a ‘national disgrace’.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/express-train-canberra-sydney-central-station-556274326">Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Back to New South Wales</h2>
<p>NSW has a <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/nsw-charges-ahead-with-107-billion-infrastructure-pipeline-despite-record-deficit-20201117-p56fan.html">A$107 billion</a> “infastructure pipeline”. However, on a population basis, Sydney with its metros and motorways is getting much more than its fair share. Regional NSW is getting left behind. </p>
<p>The imbalance is increasing. The late 2020 budget allocated billions for the Sydney West Metro and preconstruction work on the <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-another-huge-and-costly-road-project-really-sydneys-best-option-right-now-136836">dubious Western Harbour Tunnel project</a>. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/is-another-huge-and-costly-road-project-really-sydneys-best-option-right-now-136836">Is another huge and costly road project really Sydney's best option right now?</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>Many NSW regional communities increasingly consider that their major party MPs haven’t had their best interests at heart. This is one reason for the election in 2019 of four lower house members from minor parties plus one independent. In the recent Upper Hunter byelection, the combined primary vote for the ALP and the Nationals was <a href="https://pastvtr.elections.nsw.gov.au/SB2101/la/upper-hunter/fp_summary_report.html">just over 50%</a>. </p>
<p>Serious track work is now needed to lift NSW regional train speeds to those enjoyed in other states. As the Illawarra Rail Fail group sang in this YouTube video, regional NSW needs more trains and faster travel times to get us on our way.</p>
<figure>
<iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4S3Xqzpz4Fk?wmode=transparent&start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<figcaption><span class="caption">The Illawarra Rail Fail group has been campaigning for years for better services to the south coast.</span></figcaption>
</figure><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/160932/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Philip Laird owns shares in some transport companies and has received funding from the two rail-related CRCs as well as the ARC. He is affiliated, inter alia, with Action for Public Transport (NSW), the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, the Railway Technical Society of Australasia and the Rail Futures Institute. The opinions expressed are those of the author. </span></em></p>Regional NSW, home to a third of the state’s population, is still waiting for the promise of faster train travel to be delivered. Other states improved their regional services years ago.Philip Laird, Honorary Principal Fellow, University of WollongongLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1491702020-11-22T18:55:34Z2020-11-22T18:55:34ZRegional Australia’s time has come – planning for growth is now vital<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/368111/original/file-20201108-17-w56i17.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=306%2C7%2C1405%2C914&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Are regional cities like Toowoomba about to become hot property?</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Toowoomba,_CBD.jpg">Porgo, Wikipeida</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/">CC BY-SA</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Australian governments have always wanted thriving regional cities, but policy innovations with this goal in mind have a <a href="https://theconversation.com/australias-dangerous-fantasy-diverting-population-growth-to-the-regions-105052">bad history</a>. Planned well, regional cities have huge potential to generate <a href="https://theconversation.com/bust-the-regional-city-myths-and-look-beyond-the-big-5-for-a-378b-return-79760">national economic growth</a> while improving <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-average-regional-city-resident-lacks-good-access-to-two-thirds-of-community-services-and-liveability-suffers-131910">livability and sustainable development</a>. </p>
<p>Governments want strong economies, diverse job opportunities and growing populations in regional cities. The Commonwealth’s <a href="https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/cities/city-deals/index.aspx">City Deals</a> and <a href="https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/cities/smart-cities/plan/index.aspx">Smart Cities Plan</a> have recently renewed focus on these priorities.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/cities-policy-goes-regional-90856">Cities policy goes regional</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>The <a href="https://theconversation.com/australias-dangerous-fantasy-diverting-population-growth-to-the-regions-105052">main policy problem</a> for regional cities has been creating enough employment opportunities to attract residents from capital cities. Unexpectedly, the COVID-driven trend towards <a href="https://www.remoteyear.com/blog/what-is-remote-work">remote working</a> may have delivered a solution. </p>
<p>Suddenly, the potential of digital technology for working remotely is being embraced. Many people could live in regional cities while working remotely for employers elsewhere. If this trend continues, regionalism could well become the newest phase of Australian urbanism.</p>
<h2>An urban country dominated by capitals</h2>
<p>An urban country emerged from <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/urban-history/article/abs/australian-urban-history-a-progress-report/3740C0E5729075AB694AA58F4B81C895">as early as the 19th century</a> as modern Australia took shape. Almost 90% of Australians now live in cities, making us one of the most urbanised countries in the world. <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/2071.0%7E2016%7EMain%20Features%7ESnapshot%20of%20Australia,%202016%7E2">More than two-thirds are in the capital cities</a>; relatively few live in regional cities. </p>
<p>The east coast capitals developed first. Other capitals followed, along with industrial cities like Newcastle and Geelong. Regional cities grew at different speeds; some have <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballarat">longer histories</a> than <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold_Coast,_Queensland#History">others</a>. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/370462/original/file-20201119-21-a8cxhi.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Map showing distribution of population centres around Australia" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/370462/original/file-20201119-21-a8cxhi.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/370462/original/file-20201119-21-a8cxhi.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=592&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/370462/original/file-20201119-21-a8cxhi.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=592&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/370462/original/file-20201119-21-a8cxhi.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=592&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/370462/original/file-20201119-21-a8cxhi.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=744&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/370462/original/file-20201119-21-a8cxhi.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=744&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/370462/original/file-20201119-21-a8cxhi.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=744&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Most of Australia’s population is clustered around a few big urban centres.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/2071.0main+features1132016">ABS Census of Population and Housing</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/bust-the-regional-city-myths-and-look-beyond-the-big-5-for-a-378b-return-79760">Bust the regional city myths and look beyond the 'big 5' for a $378b return</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>The nationwide shift to suburbia started in the early 20th century and has accelerated since. The “Australian Dream” of owning a free-standing family home in the suburbs remains <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-16/housing-affordability-whats-happening-to-great-australian-dream/8694330?nw=0">dominant</a>. It drives the relentless expansion of outer suburbs, especially around the large capitals. </p>
<p>Decades of constant suburbanisation and expansion of capital cities fuelled the rise of <a href="https://theconversation.com/australian-cities-and-their-metropolitan-plans-still-seem-to-be-parallel-universes-87603">metropolitan Australia</a>. Here, expanding outer suburbs extend into surrounding hinterlands before eventually connecting with neighbouring cities and towns. Metropolitan Melbourne, Greater Sydney and South-east Queensland are examples. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/368108/original/file-20201108-23-i5byup.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/368108/original/file-20201108-23-i5byup.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/368108/original/file-20201108-23-i5byup.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/368108/original/file-20201108-23-i5byup.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/368108/original/file-20201108-23-i5byup.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/368108/original/file-20201108-23-i5byup.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/368108/original/file-20201108-23-i5byup.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">A bird’s eye view of metropolitan Australia.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Leon Brooks, Pixnio</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/australian-cities-and-their-metropolitan-plans-still-seem-to-be-parallel-universes-87603">Australian cities and their metropolitan plans still seem to be parallel universes</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>Urban consolidation, focused on increasing the density of urban cores and inner suburbs, is another recent phase of Australian urbanism. It is <a href="https://theconversation.com/vested-interests-behind-city-shapers-often-subvert-higher-density-policies-74244">promoted</a> as an efficient way to improve the availability and mix of urban housing, while slowing unsustainable sprawl. The <a href="https://theconversation.com/media-picture-of-urban-consolidation-focuses-more-on-a-good-scare-story-than-the-facts-58044">broad uptake</a> of urban consolidation across Australia is one of the main reasons inner-urban living became desirable in recent times.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/368112/original/file-20201108-15-ujmr92.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/368112/original/file-20201108-15-ujmr92.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=408&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/368112/original/file-20201108-15-ujmr92.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=408&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/368112/original/file-20201108-15-ujmr92.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=408&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/368112/original/file-20201108-15-ujmr92.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=513&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/368112/original/file-20201108-15-ujmr92.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=513&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/368112/original/file-20201108-15-ujmr92.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=513&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The Gasworks is an urban consolidation project in Newstead, Brisbane.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Kgbo, Wikipedia</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A common thread through the phases of Australian urbanism is that the overwhelming concentration of people and jobs in capital cities has been <a href="https://theconversation.com/australias-dangerous-fantasy-diverting-population-growth-to-the-regions-105052">difficult to reverse</a>. Until now, migrating to a regional city and bringing your job with you was a distant dream for most workers and policymakers. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/australias-dangerous-fantasy-diverting-population-growth-to-the-regions-105052">Australia's dangerous fantasy: diverting population growth to the regions</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>Departures and arrivals</h2>
<p>Things may be about to change for regional cities. A <a href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/exodus-from-australian-cities-as-coronavirus-pushes-people-to-the-regions/news-story/09ef690c2847484f7e9777fd1ca5ce43">new trend</a> of people relocating from capital cities to regional areas appears to be gaining momentum. </p>
<p>This new internal migration creates a unique opportunity for governments to grow regional cities and stimulate economies. </p>
<p>Regional cities will <a href="http://www.regionalaustralia.org.au/home/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Lighting-Up-our-Great-Small-Cities_Report.pdf">benefit from expanding populations</a>. More people will generate new cultural attractions, more social opportunities and greater vibrancy. </p>
<p>City revenues will rise as more taxes and rates start to flow through. Policymakers can then deliver much-needed <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-average-regional-city-resident-lacks-good-access-to-two-thirds-of-community-services-and-liveability-suffers-131910">liveability improvements</a>. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/the-average-regional-city-resident-lacks-good-access-to-two-thirds-of-community-services-and-liveability-suffers-131910">The average regional city resident lacks good access to two-thirds of community services, and liveability suffers</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>Policy innovations for regional cities should focus on quickly delivering quality housing and social infrastructure such as schools and hospitals. Care must be taken to ensure rapidly rising rents and <a href="https://theconversation.com/its-not-just-the-buildings-high-density-neighbourhoods-make-life-worse-for-the-poor-82070">gentrification</a> don’t displace existing residents. Displacement of regional city residents was a big <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.5172/rsj.19.3.211">problem during the mining boom</a>.</p>
<p>Regionalism also presents opportunities and challenges for the capital cities. <a href="https://info.propertycouncil.com.au/property-australia-blog/office-vacancy-rates-reflect-strong-base-settings">Growing vacancy rates</a> for residential, commercial and retail space could become permanent. Falling populations and fewer workers will hurt some sectors. Sunk investment in infrastructure, including public transport, might be unrecoverable if projected user numbers don’t materialise.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/if-more-of-us-work-from-home-after-coronavirus-well-need-to-rethink-city-planning-136261">If more of us work from home after coronavirus we'll need to rethink city planning</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>Even if some residents leave capital cities, others will still arrive. There will probably be distinct demographic differences between the two groups. Most of those leaving will be established professionals with occupations they can continue remotely. Most arrivals will likely be interstate and overseas migrants, as well as graduates looking for entry-level professional roles. </p>
<p>For the next few years at least, the option to work regionally for a capital city employer is likely to be negotiated and earned, rather than automatic. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/it-seemed-like-a-good-idea-in-lockdown-but-is-moving-to-the-country-right-for-you-148807">It seemed like a good idea in lockdown, but is moving to the country right for you?</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>Regional future demands adaptable planning</h2>
<p>The coming years will definitely not be business as usual for Australian cities. The rise in remote working will bring <a href="https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-has-changed-our-sense-of-place-so-together-we-must-re-imagine-our-cities-137789">transformative changes</a>. </p>
<p>It will not be enough to just plan for growth in regional cities. It is imperative to plan well, plan strategically and plan for the long term.</p>
<p>The move towards regionalism will have financial, social and environmental impacts. Established urban patterns may no longer hold. Policy responses will have to be innovative, flexible and dynamic.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/368109/original/file-20201108-21-7i2xd6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/368109/original/file-20201108-21-7i2xd6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=207&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/368109/original/file-20201108-21-7i2xd6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=207&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/368109/original/file-20201108-21-7i2xd6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=207&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/368109/original/file-20201108-21-7i2xd6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=260&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/368109/original/file-20201108-21-7i2xd6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=260&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/368109/original/file-20201108-21-7i2xd6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=260&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Gold Coast, once a regional holiday destination, is now Australia’s sixth-largest city.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Vape Fuse, Flickr</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Governments may need to activate special regulatory and legal arrangements to effectively manage trends towards regionalism. The innovative frameworks for regional development in recent <a href="https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/cities/city-deals/index.aspx">City Deals</a> are illustrative of new policy approaches to shaping regionalism.</p>
<p>We see a shift in the distribution of some planning and development powers between tiers of government to prioritise certain projects. Changes will have to be justified by economic, environmental or social objectives. Even if necessary, it might cause controversy, upheaval and legal challenges. </p>
<p>Governments will need to be strategic, diplomatic and brave to maximise future opportunities for regional and capital cities. Recognising that regionalism looks like the newest phase of Australian urbanism is a good start.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/149170/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Tony Matthews has received funding from the Australian Research Council, CSIRO and the Queensland Government. He is affiliated with the Royal Town Planning Institute and the Planning Institute of Australia. He is an Ambassador for Planet Ark and a spokesperson for Greener Spaces, Better Places (formerly 202020 Vision). </span></em></p>The pandemic has driven Australian workers and their employers to embrace the option of working remotely. And that has opened people’s eyes to the possibilities of living in regional Australia.Tony Matthews, Senior Lecturer in Urban and Environmental Planning, Griffith UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1231652019-09-11T20:05:42Z2019-09-11T20:05:42ZFancy an e-change? How people are escaping city congestion and living costs by working remotely<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/291449/original/file-20190909-109923-5g118p.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Digital communications technology means many high-skill workers don't need to be in the office to do their jobs.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/side-portrait-view-smart-professional-woman-158376815?src=rrkA_7GlI5Uy1_pJYxZrvQ-1-8">MJTH/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Many Australians have longed to live outside the city. The treechange and seachange movements – migration from urban areas to rural and coastal towns – have been responsible for much of the <a href="http://www.regionalaustralia.org.au/home/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/2019_RAI_NationalPopulationPlanForRegionalAustralia_Final.pdf">population growth outside urban areas</a> in recent years.</p>
<p>Now a newer migration trend is under way: <a href="https://www.nbnco.com.au/content/dam/nbnco2/documents/Super%20connected%20lifestyle%20locations_nbn%20report_FINAL.PDF">e-change</a>. E-changers are people who move away from the large capital cities to nearby regional and coastal “lifestyle” towns, where they use broadband internet connections to perform work remotely.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/meet-the-new-seachangers-now-its-younger-australians-moving-out-of-the-big-cities-103762">Meet the new seachangers: now it's younger Australians moving out of the big cities</a>
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<p>A limiting factor for moving to regional areas has always been the lack of high-skill job opportunities. But remote work allows people to have more flexibility in where they live – they can work from anywhere.</p>
<p>Information and communication technology is making this possible for more and more people whose work primarily requires digital connectivity rather than constant physical presence. Email, video conferencing, online project management software and even <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/parmyolson/2013/06/27/rise-of-the-telepresence-robots/#21553286ac03">telepresence robots</a> are all tools that people can use to work remotely outside an office.</p>
<h2>Getting away from the rat race</h2>
<p>Our large capital cities like Sydney and Melbourne are experiencing significant challenges. As they expand outward and increase in density, traffic congestion is intensifying. Despite significant investment in road construction and public transport, Infrastructure Australia this year <a href="https://www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/sites/default/files/2019-08/Urban%20Transport%20Crowding%20and%20Congestion.pdf">reported</a>:</p>
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<p>Road congestion is expected to increase in all Australian cities between 2016 and 2031.</p>
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<p>Average daily commutes in Australia’s cities are already at <a href="https://theconversation.com/australian-city-workers-average-commute-has-blown-out-to-66-minutes-a-day-how-does-yours-compare-120598">all-time highs</a>. The results of long commutes include <a href="https://theconversation.com/walking-and-cycling-to-work-makes-commuters-happier-and-more-productive-117819">lower job and life satisfaction</a>. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/australian-city-workers-average-commute-has-blown-out-to-66-minutes-a-day-how-does-yours-compare-120598">Australian city workers' average commute has blown out to 66 minutes a day. How does yours compare?</a>
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<p>Commuting in the city is also a public health hazard. This is because the time spent on transport reduces the time we have for other activities. And activities like exercising, socialising or spending time with our families are important for our well-being.</p>
<p>City <a href="http://theconversation.com/housing-affordability-has-improved-slightly-but-people-on-lower-incomes-will-continue-to-struggle-117898">housing prices are increasingly unaffordable</a>, particularly in well-serviced areas reasonably close to the CBD. Buying a home in suburban Sydney or Melbourne is now <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/901-Housing-affordability.pdf">out of reach</a>for many young people.</p>
<p>E-changers seek the best of both worlds: doing skilled work that has traditionally been available only in the city, while avoiding the congestion and high cost of city living.</p>
<h2>Who are e-changers?</h2>
<p>Obviously, not everyone can work away from their place of employment. Some jobs require people to be physically present all or most of the time.</p>
<p>But for many professional or creative workers in today’s digital economy, being productive doesn’t have to mean being in an office in the city every day.</p>
<p>One of Australia’s most successful new companies – software developer <a href="https://www.atlassian.com/company">Atlassian</a> – is in the midst of a <a href="https://www.afr.com/technology/atlassian-goes-national-in-remote-working-revolution-20190313-h1cbxp">remote working revolution</a>. The tech company <a href="https://stripe.com/au/about">Stripe</a> is also forgoing the traditional office by opening a new employment hub that is <a href="https://stripe.com/gb/blog/remote-hub">entirely remote</a>. These companies recognise that valuable employees shouldn’t need to live in Sydney or Melbourne if they can perform their role while living elsewhere.</p>
<p>However, remote workers need not be completely absent from a workplace. Instead of commuting every day, an employee might come into an office once or twice for face-to-face meetings. They can then work the rest of the week remotely at or near their home.</p>
<p>Flexible work arrangements like this mean a higher quality of life for employees. Cities will also benefit from <a href="https://theconversation.com/flexible-working-the-neglected-congestion-busting-solution-for-our-cities-122130">reduced commuting congestion</a>.</p>
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<em>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/flexible-working-the-neglected-congestion-busting-solution-for-our-cities-122130">Flexible working, the neglected congestion-busting solution for our cities</a>
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<h2>It doesn’t have to mean working from home</h2>
<p>Remote workers don’t always work from home. Many people find it difficult to mix work and home life in the same physical space. That’s why remote workers often frequent cafes, libraries, satellite offices, or co-working spaces.</p>
<p>Co-working spaces are a multibillion-dollar industry globally and are <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/it-will-become-the-norm-co-working-office-space-tipped-to-rise-20190529-p51shw.html">becoming popular</a> in Australia. While mostly still located in cities, co-working spaces are increasingly appearing in <a href="https://theconversation.com/australian-coworking-spaces-cater-to-a-more-diverse-crowd-than-just-young-tech-entrepreneurs-79497">smaller coastal and regional towns</a>. This trend indicates a demand from e-changers to work outside the home.</p>
<p>In the US, towns and small cities outside the large metropolitan areas are <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/21/7-us-cities-that-will-pay-you-thousands-of-dollars-to-live-there.html">encouraging people to move to their area</a>. They are offering remote workers subsidised housing, free access to co-working spaces and even paying them thousands of dollars in cash as an incentive.</p>
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<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/291450/original/file-20190909-109952-1gj4d95.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/291450/original/file-20190909-109952-1gj4d95.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/291450/original/file-20190909-109952-1gj4d95.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291450/original/file-20190909-109952-1gj4d95.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291450/original/file-20190909-109952-1gj4d95.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291450/original/file-20190909-109952-1gj4d95.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291450/original/file-20190909-109952-1gj4d95.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291450/original/file-20190909-109952-1gj4d95.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
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<span class="caption">Co-working spaces are booming overseas – this one is in Turin, Italy – with some towns and small cities offering free access to attract remote workers.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/turin-italy-june-20-2017-physical-666791590?src=38XMZlwzmNhzfeJlB_PIsg-1-1">MikeDotta/Shutterstock</a></span>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/co-working-spaces-are-part-of-the-new-economy-so-town-planners-better-get-with-the-times-95923">Co-working spaces are part of the new economy, so town planners better get with the times</a>
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<h2>Is e-change the future for Australia?</h2>
<p>Reducing the need for people to commute to their place of work every day could be an effective way to ease pressure on our congested city roads and public transport systems.</p>
<p>Remote work allows people to live outside our largest cities, where they’re more likely to be able to buy a home.</p>
<p>As more people adopt an e-change lifestyle, it might help to reinvigorate the economies and civic life of regional and coastal towns.</p>
<p>Making remote work more widely available might also increase workforce participation among groups that aren’t able to commute to an office every day. They include people with caring responsibilities, people with disabilities and those already living in regional areas.</p>
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<p><em>If you think your organisation would benefit from understanding e-change and remote work, the <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/andrew-glover-3254">authors</a> would like to hear from you.</em></p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/123165/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>E-changers are the latest group to move from the big cities to escape high living costs and congestion. But because they remain very productive remote workers some employers are embracing the trend.Andrew Glover, Postdoctoral research fellow, RMIT UniversityTania Lewis, Co-Director of the Digital Ethnography Research Centre and Professor of Media and Communication, RMIT University, RMIT UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1190902019-07-15T19:41:49Z2019-07-15T19:41:49ZRegional cities beware – fast rail might lead to disadvantaged dormitories, not booming economies<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/284022/original/file-20190715-173347-zfc02i.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Many commuters already travel from regional cities to work in capital cities like Melbourne so what impacts will fast rail have?</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/avlxyz/32874010797/in/photolist-S5XU6B-2dXeMwv-Sz1vqJ-23SPnYD-2cRrGGF-Thznko-ThzniE-2ehf35w-REp7D2-2e2V9hr-REp7Ck-2e2V9fn-ThznfJ-2e2V9g4-Thzneb-2fqPaKi-2e2V9dD-2fqPaKD-2fqPaJB-ThzneS-2fqPaJr-2fqPaHV-2fqPaHe-2fqPaFv-2fm9TJm-2fqPaFk-2fqPaFa-2e2UYsM-2fm9JDh-2fqNXyV-24Pfoox-24Pfope-2fm9JAG-24Pfomt-24Pfonv-24PfokM-24Pfoje-24Pfohv-2fqNXs2-24Pfomi-24Pfoi2-24PfoiH-24PfogP-24Pfogi-2fm9Jxq-24PfoeK-24Pfog8-24PfofB-24Pfod2-24Pfoe4">Alpha/Flickr</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/">CC BY-NC</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Governments are looking to fast rail services to regional cities to relieve population pressures in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The federal government is funding <a href="https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/rail/trains/faster_rail/index.aspx">nine business cases</a> for such schemes. But what economic effect might these fast links have on the regional cities?</p>
<p>The current fast rail schemes seem oriented at relieving population pressures in the major cities rather than a productive regional economic purpose. The minister for population, cities and urban infrastructure recently <a href="https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/tudge/media-release/better-managing-australias-future-population-growth">stated</a>:</p>
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<p>… the National Faster Rail Agency begins operating from today [July 1]. The new Agency will oversee the government’s 20-year fast rail agenda, which will connect satellite regional cities to our big capitals. This will allow people to reside in regional centres with its [sic] cheaper housing and regional lifestyle but still access easily and daily the major employment centres.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/we-can-halve-train-travel-times-between-our-cities-by-moving-to-faster-rail-116512">We can halve train travel times between our cities by moving to faster rail</a>
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<p>The argument seems built on a pitch to city workers priced out of metropolitan housing markets. It treats regional towns as remote dormitories for metropolitan workers rather than as regional cities that serve as service hubs and employment centres. But will subsidising metropolitan workers to live in cheaper regional towns have a positive economic effect on those towns? </p>
<h2>An unequal relationship</h2>
<p>Concern is growing among international observers that <a href="https://www.51m.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/ch51.pdf">fast rail connections between two cities benefit the larger of the pair</a>. Professor <a href="https://www.centreforcities.org/event/city-horizons-professor-michael-storper/">Michael Storper observed</a>: </p>
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<p>One of the biggest mistakes we’ve made was being naïve about connectivity – give infrastructure and it spreads. Well, often it concentrates. The high-speed train network in France, guess what it did. It advantaged Paris.</p>
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<p>While Paris is seen as benefiting the most from the national fast rail TGV service, the regional cities of <a href="http://www.greengauge21.net/wp-content/uploads/hsr-regneration-of-cities.pdf">Lyon and Lille have strengthened their economic positions</a>. The Lyon and Lille fast rail stations form the hub of their respective regional transport networks and have attracted new commercial activity. They also sit at intersections of major European fast rail networks. </p>
<p>It’s a pattern that cannot be easily achieved for Australia’s regional cities due to our widely dispersed settlements. So what does this mean for our regional cities? </p>
<p>Improving transport infrastructure doesn’t just improve regional business access to metropolitan markets. It decrease the costs of trade in both directions. And large cities are typically more productive economically. This is because they offer more specialised goods and services and can leverage the agglomeration effects of shared high-quality labour markets and infrastructure, plus a concentration of skills and knowledge.</p>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/our-big-cities-are-engines-of-inequality-so-how-do-we-fix-that-69775">Our big cities are engines of inequality, so how do we fix that?</a>
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<p>Reduced travel times can mean regional businesses become less efficient than metropolitan competitors that can offer a wider range of specialist goods and services. This may lead to regional business closures, employment losses and wage decline. Unless a regional city is able to develop a specialised set of high-skill, high-wage industries that complement or outcompete the metropolis it risks being economically disadvantaged by faster rail. </p>
<p>New regional demand arising from commuter population growth might counter the loss of higher-order regional jobs due to improved transport links. But that will largely be in lower-value retail and personal service sectors. The result will still be a net economic gain for the metropolis.</p>
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<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/the-growing-skills-gap-between-jobs-in-australian-cities-and-the-regions-88477">The growing skills gap between jobs in Australian cities and the regions</a>
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<p>An influx of commuters earning metropolitan wages might also <a href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/real-estate/melbourne-vic/geelong-prices-soften-as-buyers-await-outcome-of-federal-election/news-story/ea4cc61d089f669d26cf5b10b7ceab80">inflate regional housing markets</a>. This would disadvantage lower-paid regional workers. The beneficiaries of this scenario are likely to be local rentiers, such as landholders and developers who can profit from land-price inflation. </p>
<p>This interest group will likely vocally promote regional fast rail. But sustainable economic prosperity for regional cities requires more than population-driven land speculation. </p>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/a-housing-affordability-crisis-in-regional-australia-yes-and-heres-why-71808">A housing affordability crisis in regional Australia? Yes, and here's why</a>
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<h2>The example of Geelong</h2>
<p>The most advanced of the current Australian proposals is the <a href="https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/tudge/media-release/geelong-melbourne-travel-cut-half-part-20-year-fast-rail-plan">Geelong-Melbourne route</a>. It has received federal and state <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-22/fast-rail-train-service-pledge-for-geelong/10927982">funding for planning</a> with an estimated total cost of <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/andrews-in-about-face-on-building-geelong-fast-rail-with-morrison-20190531-p51tbz.html">at least A$10 billion</a>. But planners need to ask how this spending will provide a net economic benefit, and how the benefits will be distributed. </p>
<p>Growth in commuter population and the services this attracts may be seem like a resolution to metropolitan population problems, but could further concentrate higher-paid jobs in Melbourne. Faster commutes mean Melbourne-based firms will have a greater pick of Geelong-based workers, thus consolidating metropolitan competitive advantage. Fast rail thus risks placing Geelong at a competitive disadvantage, with jobs and workers being exported to Melbourne. </p>
<p>Meanwhile the pressure of housing another <a href="https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/land-use-and-population-research/victoria-in-future">145,000 residents in the next 20 years</a> already falls on Geelong, a <a href="https://quickstats.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2016/quickstat/203?opendocument">city of 280,000 people</a>. The strain on infrastructure and services is proportionately greater than would be the case in Melbourne, which has <a href="https://quickstats.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2016/quickstat/2GMEL?opendocument">nearly 5 million</a> residents. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/this-is-how-regional-rail-can-help-ease-our-big-cities-commuter-crush-81902">This is how regional rail can help ease our big cities' commuter crush</a>
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<h2>What can policymakers do about this?</h2>
<p>To resolve this conundrum, thought must be given to what specialised high-value jobs will be attracted to regional cities to accompany fast rail investments, so these cities remain competitive and productive, regionally, nationally and internationally. This might include policies such as relocating public agencies, regional targeting of university-based research and development spending, boosting services such as schools and hospitals, and providing incentives for innovative private companies to relocate to regional towns. </p>
<p>Policymakers should also consider positioning regional cities as rail network hubs in their own right. An example would be connecting Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo by rail, along with better linkages to national and international airports. </p>
<p>We don’t yet know for sure what the effects of fast rail on regional cities will be. But the impact of this infrastructure needs to be assessed very carefully lest it turns Australia’s regional cities into dependent population dormitories rather than regional dynamos, at vast public expense.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/119090/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Todd Denham is a PhD candidate at RMIT University, investigating the relationships between regional-metropolitan commuting and regional development.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>RMIT University receives funding from AHURI and the EU H2020 Program to support Jago Dodson's research. </span></em></p>While governments focus on how to ease congestion and make affordable housing more accessible for workers in our biggest cities, fast rail could be a mixed blessing for regional cities.Todd Denham, PhD Candidate, School of Global, Urban & Social Studies, RMIT UniversityJago Dodson, Professor of Urban Policy and Director, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1141962019-03-31T19:12:57Z2019-03-31T19:12:57ZSettling migrants in regional areas will need more than a visa to succeed<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/266236/original/file-20190328-139371-plb1dr.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Mingoola resident Julia Harpham has led the way in welcoming African migrant families to revitalise the tiny NSW township.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4QRC_eR0uQ">Regennovate/YouTube</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Prime Minister Scott Morrison has <a href="https://theconversation.com/slimmed-down-migration-program-has-regional-focus-113847">announced two new regional visas</a> as part of a national population plan. The <a href="https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/regional-migration/news/new-regional-visas">Skilled Employer Sponsored and Skilled Work regional visas</a> require workers to live outside major cities for three years before they can apply for permanent residency. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/mar/20/coalitions-permanent-migration-cap-revealed-as-morrison-launches-population-policy">Morrison said</a> the new visas would benefit communities “looking for more people to come and settle in their districts, to fill jobs, inject more life into their towns, and shore up the important education and health services for the future”. </p>
<p>However, <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/0/B7616AB91C66CDCFCA25827800183B7B?Opendocument">newly released statistics on regional population growth</a> in Australia in 2017-18 show current growth is heavily concentrated in the capitals. People clearly prefer to settle in these cities. So how can migration to the less favoured regional centres be made to work?</p>
<p><strong>POPULATION GROWTH ACROSS AUSTRALIA, 2017-18</strong></p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/266214/original/file-20190327-139371-1pnuf27.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/266214/original/file-20190327-139371-1pnuf27.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/266214/original/file-20190327-139371-1pnuf27.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=472&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/266214/original/file-20190327-139371-1pnuf27.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=472&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/266214/original/file-20190327-139371-1pnuf27.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=472&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/266214/original/file-20190327-139371-1pnuf27.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=593&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/266214/original/file-20190327-139371-1pnuf27.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=593&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/266214/original/file-20190327-139371-1pnuf27.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=593&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
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<span class="caption">Population change by SA2 (a community that interacts together socially and economically) across Australia in 2017-18.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/0/B7616AB91C66CDCFCA25827800183B7B?Opendocument">ABS</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></span>
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<p><a href="https://welcomingcities.org.au/regional-migration-queensland/">Research by the Monash Migration and Inclusion Centre and Welcoming Cities</a> has examined the benefits and risks of regional migrant settlement. We identify five key factors — four essential and one desirable — that will make regional settlement successful. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/forcing-immigrants-to-work-in-regional-areas-will-not-boost-regional-economies-in-the-long-run-96852">Forcing immigrants to work in regional areas will not boost regional economies in the long run</a>
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<h2>Five elements of success</h2>
<p>First, <strong>coordination and planning</strong> must be inclusive and driven by local communities. These are more than just buzzwords. Local employers, service providers and community groups are best placed to determine realistic settlement options together. </p>
<p><a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/ajs4.26">Local councils</a>, in particular, are a crucial channel for information and community perspectives. Planning should carefully consider social and economic conditions so migrants and existing residents can develop <a href="https://www.qcoss.org.au/refugee-re-settlement-regional-australia">clear expectations</a>.</p>
<p>State and federal authorities may be called upon to provide a <a href="https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/media-and-resources/publications/refugee-resettlement-in-regional-and-rural-victoria">package of supportive policies</a>, such as funding for relocation programs. However, in the absence of a <a href="http://scoa.org.au/policy-hub/scoa-publications/scoa-regional-settlement-policy-paper/">whole-of-government regional settlement strategy</a>, local stakeholders still need to lead the process.</p>
<p>Second, <strong>sustained employment</strong> is vital. It “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2013.830882">speeds up</a>” migrants’ integration into Australian society and makes long-term settlement viable. The celebrated “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/mar/24/australias-fierce-immigration-debate-is-about-to-get-louder">win-win scenario</a>” in regional areas demands stable employment. The example of the <a href="https://www2.deloitte.com/au/en/pages/economics/articles/economic-social-impact-karen-resettlement.html">Nhill poultry business in western Victoria</a> shows some destinations can be a good fit for migrants and refugees from rural-agricultural backgrounds.</p>
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<iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f_gNQ59X5bY?wmode=transparent&start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<figcaption><span class="caption">Karen-Burmese refugees helped revitalise the previously shrinking town of Nhill.</span></figcaption>
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<p>However, regional labour markets can be quite “thin”. The <a href="http://inform.regionalaustralia.org.au/population-and-people/population-and-migration/item/regional-retention-of-migrants-critical-success-factors">number and variety of jobs</a> on offer are often limited. </p>
<p>Short-term visa schemes can help plug gaps in local labour markets. But migrants may not stay if they find themselves in jobs that <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/pm/migrants-sceptical-about-morrisons-policy-announcement/10921952">don’t match their skills and experience</a>.</p>
<p>Third, <strong>public housing, transport and services</strong> form crucial infrastructure to support migrant settlement. Regional towns <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/15562948.2017.1358410">vary significantly</a> in their levels of access and affordability. Communities like <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/austory/a-field-of-dreams-opening-teaser/7999312">Mingoola</a> have taken the creative step of renovating abandoned farmhouses to accommodate refugee families. </p>
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<figcaption><span class="caption">Resettling African refugees saved Mingoola’s school from closure and breathed new life into the small town.</span></figcaption>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/when-a-countrys-towns-and-villages-face-extinction-88398">When a country’s towns and villages face extinction</a>
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</em>
</p>
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<p>But, in addition to housing, new migrants may require access to specialised service providers, like skilled health workers. Regional towns already grappling with social challenges can face a “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jrs/fes003">double disadvantage</a>” when migrants increase demand on existing services. </p>
<p>Here again, consultation and thorough needs analysis are required. Local government and community associations have central roles to play in this.</p>
<p>Fourth is a <strong>culture of welcome</strong> in regional communities. Building and sustaining such a culture is perhaps the most challenging element of success. The early stages of planning need to develop an understanding of local attitudes towards migrants, as well as perceptions about different cultures and ethnicities. </p>
<p>Some communities may benefit from induction and resources to develop long-term <a href="https://www.vu.edu.au/sites/default/files/Relocation_RefugeeSettleJune07.pdf">acceptance of cultural change</a>. The City of Greater Bendigo - a recognised <a href="https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/what-is-a-refugee-welcome-zone/">Refugee Welcome Zone</a> — has <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/news/australia-day-bendigo-s-new-citizens-looking-forward-to-giving-back">attracted migrants</a> by promoting its approach to cultural diversity and inclusion. </p>
<p>A culture of welcome can reduce the cultural distance between migrants and local residents, and reduce the risk of isolation for migrants. This not only bolsters the longer-term viability of migrant relocation, but can also lead to the social, cultural and economic revitalisation of the broader community. </p>
<p>As custodians of all settlement destinations in Australia, the leadership of First Nations people in welcoming work is also critical in negotiating matters of <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/2015/09/06/first-australians-can-speak-refugee-crisis-who-listening">cultural exchange and understanding</a>.</p>
<p>A final, desirable element of regional settlement is the presence of <strong>multicultural organisations and ethnic communities</strong>. Established migrant communities can act as “anchors” for new arrivals. They provide experience, advice and familiarity with local settlement processes and opportunities. </p>
<p>In contrast, the absence of culturally and linguistically diverse groups in regional towns can be a “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.03.016">unique source of acculturation stress</a>”, especially for young migrants.</p>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/australias-regional-migration-a-selective-success-story-5190">Australia's regional migration: a selective success story</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
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<h2>Moving forward with regional migration</h2>
<p>Migration has the potential to breathe new life into regional economies. It can add cultural richness and diversity to regional communities. At the same time, regional migration can ease the pressure on capital city infrastructure and services. </p>
<p>In reality, however, few regional destinations optimally combine all key success factors. Potential benefits of migration can be offset by existing inequalities, narrow employment pathways and gaps in social infrastructure. Limited understanding of cultural diversity also acts as a barrier to the inclusion of new migrant communities. </p>
<p>These risks can compromise the sustainability of regional settlement before it has begun.</p>
<p><a href="https://welcomingcities.org.au/regional-migration-queensland/">Our research</a> recommends that regional councils and local partners consider their readiness to grow a culture of welcome, build intercultural connections, and inform uptake of regional visa opportunities. Early planning that considers both the challenges and the opportunities for migrant settlement is critical to ensure a sustainable win-win outcome. </p>
<hr>
<p><em>Aleem Ali, the national manager of <a href="https://welcomingcities.org.au/who/">Welcoming Cities</a> and CEO of <a href="https://welcoming.org.au/">Welcoming Australia</a>, is a co-author of this article.</em></p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/114196/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>The Monash Migration and Inclusion Centre received funding from Welcoming Cities and Multicultural Affairs Queensland to conduct this research. Welcoming Cities national manager Aleem Ali co-authored this article. John van Kooy does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any other company or organisation that would benefit from this article.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Rebecca Wickes is the Director of The Monash Migration and Inclusion Centre. This Centre received funding from Welcoming Cities and Multicultural Affairs Queensland to conduct this research. Dr Wickes is on the Welcoming Cities Advisory Board. </span></em></p>Encouraging migrants to move to regional areas could be a win-win’ scenario, as long as policymakers pay attention to five key factors.John van Kooy, Research Associate & PhD Candidate, Monash Migration and Inclusion Centre, Monash UniversityRebecca Wickes, Associate Professor in Criminology and Director of the Monash Migration and Inclusion Centre, Monash UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1011802018-08-07T19:42:53Z2018-08-07T19:42:53ZMaking small cities bigger will help better distribute Australia’s 25 million people<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/230873/original/file-20180807-191041-1dt72rs.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">The bigger Melbourne gets, the more attractive it becomes.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">from shutterstock.com</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>The knowledge economy has concentrated skilled people in large cities such as Melbourne. This has meant such cities take most of Australia’s jobs, leading to what has been dubbed “agglomeration economies” – where knowledge and production flow easily between firms and people as they cluster near one another. </p>
<p>Australia’s population clock ticked over to 25 million last night, and it’s easy to see why most of this number are living in the bigger cities. Of course, the bigger cities are also more attractive, and the cycle continues. They keep growing at the expense of smaller regional cities. </p>
<p>For a long time now, there have been calls for a national <a href="https://www.planning.org.au/documents/item/7874">policy to ensure</a> a <a href="https://theconversation.com/our-big-cities-are-engines-of-inequality-so-how-do-we-fix-that-69775">more equitable distribution</a> of the population across cities of all sizes. Governments can take some lessons from policies in Australia’s recent history, as well as those of other countries, that have aimed to address similar issues.</p>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/aim-for-cities-of-all-sizes-to-give-everyone-a-fair-go-94657">Aim for cities of all sizes to give everyone a fair go</a>
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<h2>Australia’s past attempts</h2>
<p>In the 1950s and ‘60s, Sydney’s congestion and pollution problems caused the state government to <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1467-8330.1981.tb00004.x">implement a decentralisation program</a>. Under this policy, manufacturing companies were given financial incentives to set up in country towns. The program achieved fairly modest success but came to an end in the early '70s. This was when tariff walls fell and the local manufacturing sector succumbed to competition from East Asian production. </p>
<p>The Whitlam <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1467-8330.1981.tb00004.x">government implemented a cities program</a> in 1973 to entice people out of the bigger cities. The program allocated funds to develop new cities with 100,000 to 250,000 people such as Albury-Wodonga. Research at the time had indicated this was the <a href="https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/14126500?q&versionId=16690100">optimum population size</a> for a city.</p>
<p>This program was axed by the Fraser government, which saw the land and infrastructure developments in the smaller cities as too costly. And there were no compensatory new jobs – especially in manufacturing. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/230884/original/file-20180807-138709-1qdtlnu.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/230884/original/file-20180807-138709-1qdtlnu.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/230884/original/file-20180807-138709-1qdtlnu.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/230884/original/file-20180807-138709-1qdtlnu.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/230884/original/file-20180807-138709-1qdtlnu.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/230884/original/file-20180807-138709-1qdtlnu.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/230884/original/file-20180807-138709-1qdtlnu.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/230884/original/file-20180807-138709-1qdtlnu.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
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<span class="caption">The Whitlam government had a policy for cities such as Albury to house over 100,000 people.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">from shutterstock.com</span></span>
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<p>Smaller cities need to be decently sized if they’re to provide a level of services and jobs with which to attract people from the larger cities. This is reflected in Victoria’s <a href="https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/policy-and-strategy/planning-for-melbourne/melbourne-2030-planning-for-sustainable-growth">current 30 year development strategy</a>, which promotes the growth of Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo through good rail services to Melbourne, as well as relocation of state government functions. </p>
<p>Each of these cities has a big enough size (approaching 100,000 or beyond) to support an attractive level of services. And they’re also close enough to Melbourne to allow commuting as a supplement to local jobs. </p>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/how-many-people-make-a-good-city-its-not-the-size-that-matters-but-how-you-use-it-101102">How many people make a good city? It's not the size that matters, but how you use it</a>
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<p>Metropolitan growth is outsourced to large, nearby urban areas in other states. Cities such as Wollongong, NSW and the Gold Coast, QLD take some of Sydney and Brisbane’s spillover. This could be extended to Newcastle and the Sunshine Coast with better rail connections. </p>
<p>But such rail services require significant government subsidies, even though they offset congestion costs in the major cities. And it’s not the whole answer. Even the favourable geography of Victoria’s provincial cities has by no means reduced Melbourne’s growth problems. </p>
<p>So, where do we go from here?</p>
<h2>What other countries are doing</h2>
<p>Globally, policies aiming to reduce the dominance and growth of major cities have focused on building large city alternatives. One policy available to every country is to relocate its national capital when it has become too big. </p>
<p>In the mid-20th century, both <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bras%C3%ADlia">Brazil</a> and Tanzania followed Turkey and relocated their capital cities inland to reduce the dominance of the major coastal cities. More recently, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abuja">Nigeria</a> and Kazakhstan have both established new capital cities in the centre of the country to draw growth from the previous capitals.</p>
<p>Brasilia and Ankara have developed into major metropolitan areas in their own right, though this has not yet happened in the other new capitals.</p>
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<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/230887/original/file-20180807-7141-1r3hk6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/230887/original/file-20180807-7141-1r3hk6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/230887/original/file-20180807-7141-1r3hk6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=319&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/230887/original/file-20180807-7141-1r3hk6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=319&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/230887/original/file-20180807-7141-1r3hk6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=319&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/230887/original/file-20180807-7141-1r3hk6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/230887/original/file-20180807-7141-1r3hk6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/230887/original/file-20180807-7141-1r3hk6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
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<span class="caption">Under the Northern Powerhouse plan, cities like Sheffield would be stimulated by new transport connections.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">from shutterstock.com</span></span>
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<p>The UK and France are both attempting to create large metropolitan areas in the regions as counterweights to London and Paris. In the UK, regional development policies in the 1960s and 70s, including relocation of offices from London, failed to stem the capital’s economic dominance. </p>
<p>The latest attempt is the Tories’ policy, known the <a href="https://northernpowerhouse.gov.uk/">Northern Powerhouse</a>. This is conceived as a collection of northern English cities, from Liverpool to Leeds and Sheffield, that would be stimulated by new transport connections, reallocation of science funding, devolution of central government, and arts and culture projects. But this <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jun/01/tories-northern-powerhouse-transport-system-cities-george-osborne">has been critised</a> as geographically fuzzy, insufficiently funded and generally a “mess”.</p>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/the-northern-powerhouse-needs-to-be-more-than-a-slogan-59043">The Northern Powerhouse needs to be more than a slogan</a>
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<p>France has taken a <a href="http://www.oecd.org/cfe/regional-policy/regionaldevelopmentpoliciesinoecdcountries.htm">similar approach</a> to actively support major urban “agglomerations” such as Bordeaux and Lyon.</p>
<p>China has active policies to reduce the growth of the super-sized or <a href="https://www.1421.consulting/2018/05/chinese-tier-2-cities/">tier-one cities</a> (Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou) and <a href="https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1002002/chinas-second-tier-cities-battle-for-bright-minds">promote tier-two and three cities</a>, all of which have a population of more than one million. </p>
<p>Registration for those moving into lower tier cities, which gives access to various social services, has been relaxed. Connectivity to <a href="https://www.morganstanley.com/ideas/china-lower-tier-cities">lower tier cities</a> has been enhanced by investment in high speed rail and airports. And new rail links to Europe under the Belt and Road Initiative have helped tier two inland cities such as Wuhan and Chengdu.</p>
<h2>Make smaller cities bigger</h2>
<p>It’s clear the modern economy requires alternatives to Australia’s big cities to pack sufficient punch if they’re to really compete with the metropolitan areas. </p>
<p>Building up large new cities from scratch, as we tried to do in the ‘70s, is too expensive and risky. We should focus on the few large alternatives we already have to the big four cities. This means Adelaide and Canberra, in particular, should be considered for more rapid growth. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/rail-access-improves-liveability-but-all-regional-centres-are-not-equal-96462">Rail access improves liveability, but all regional centres are not equal</a>
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<p>Adelaide’s <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-30/adelaide-30-year-plan-explained/8570598">30-year plan for urban growth</a> envisions nearly two million people by 2045, and there would be advantages for the nation if that mark were reached sooner rather than later. But that would perhaps require other states to give up a bit of their own growth – something which may not be an easy sell to the state governments.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/101180/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Glen Searle receives funding from the Australian Research Council.</span></em></p>In the 70s, Whitlam tried to build new, big cities. But this was too costly. Now the most viable solution for Australia’s population woes is to make existing cities bigger.Glen Searle, Honorary Associate Professor in Planning, University of Queensland and, University of SydneyLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/908562018-01-30T18:55:02Z2018-01-30T18:55:02ZCities policy goes regional<p>Cities policy in Australia has historically had a clear focus on the largest state capitals, but there are signs this is changing. Recent <a href="https://theconversation.com/au/topics/city-deals-26196">City Deals</a> and smart cities funding shows that five of the six <a href="https://cities.dpmc.gov.au/city-deals">City Deals</a> now in place are regional, and 55% of <a href="https://cities.dpmc.gov.au/smart-cities-program">Smart Cities and Suburbs Program</a> funding also went to regional cities. On the evidence so far, regional cities appear to be in the spotlight for the Australian government’s cities policy agenda.</p>
<p>Big and small cities matter to Australia. They are the concentrations of population, economic output, trade, commerce, cultural and social life. They are also the sites where most of the nation’s future growth, both population and economic, is forecast to occur. Australia’s economic future is closely linked to that of its cities.</p>
<p>In 2015, there was much excitement when the Turnbull government <a href="http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/cabinet-reshuffle-malcolm-turnbull-appoints-jamie-briggs-minister-for-cities-20150920-gjqzk2.html">first announced</a> a cities agenda, which (after a <a href="https://theconversation.com/hopes-of-a-new-urban-age-survive-ministers-fall-52975">rocky start</a>) delivered the <a href="https://cities.dpmc.gov.au/smart-cities-plan">Smart Cities Plan</a>.</p>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/will-budget-2016-deliver-a-new-deal-for-australian-cities-58581">Will Budget 2016 deliver a new deal for Australian cities?</a>
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<p>This was followed by two City Deal announcements and in 2017 much “<a href="http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02673037.2015.1044948?journalCode=chos20">busy work</a>” behind the scenes; for many watching the City Deals space it was very quiet. By early 2018, when the most recent deals were signed, things had started to move in city policy, and recognition of the important role of regional cities became quite clear.</p>
<h2>Regional cities now in the picture</h2>
<p>Regional cities have been largely absent in past urban policy programs and debates. Most programs have focused on big city challenges: congestion, pollution, affordable housing, public transport and urban sprawl. The advent of the Smart Cities Plan has changed this with its focus on innovative policy mechanisms that require collaborative investment to drive national economic outcomes. </p>
<p>Many regional cities were waiting to see how the new agenda would roll out in reality. Recent interest has highlighted the role and importance of the smaller, <a href="https://theconversation.com/bust-the-regional-city-myths-and-look-beyond-the-big-5-for-a-378b-return-79760">regional cities’ economic performance</a>. Still, too little discussion has occurred on their role in national policy.</p>
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<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/bust-the-regional-city-myths-and-look-beyond-the-big-5-for-a-378b-return-79760">Bust the regional city myths and look beyond the 'big 5' for a $378b return</a>
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</em>
</p>
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<p>Australian cities come in all shapes and sizes, from 50,000 to 5 million. Big metropolitan cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide) as well as Australia’s smaller regional cities (Cairns to Hobart, Shepparton to Mandurah – <a href="http://www.regionalaustralia.org.au/home/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Lighting-Up-our-Great-Small-Cities_Report.pdf">31 in total</a>) are part of a growing national network of cities.</p>
<p>Internationally, the role of stimulating the economies of regional or second cities to lift overall national performance has been <a href="https://ideas.repec.org/p/egu/wpaper/1725.html">much more closely considered</a> and acted on in the form of policy and programs. With the emerging emphasis on regional City Deals and Smart Cities funding, perhaps Australia is beginning to act on the lessons from overseas.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/how-can-our-cities-match-europes-for-finding-value-in-their-creative-vibe-80954">How can our cities match Europe's for finding value in their creative vibe?</a>
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<h2>Regional cities benefit from funding shift</h2>
<figure class="align-right zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/203728/original/file-20180129-100905-1u6ev2w.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/203728/original/file-20180129-100905-1u6ev2w.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/203728/original/file-20180129-100905-1u6ev2w.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=880&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/203728/original/file-20180129-100905-1u6ev2w.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=880&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/203728/original/file-20180129-100905-1u6ev2w.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=880&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/203728/original/file-20180129-100905-1u6ev2w.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=1106&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/203728/original/file-20180129-100905-1u6ev2w.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=1106&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/203728/original/file-20180129-100905-1u6ev2w.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=1106&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption"></span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="license">Author provided</span></span>
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</figure>
<p>When we look at the City Deals announcements made and agreements reached, we see that these still involve only an elite group of six cities (see timeline of agreements). Five of the six are regional cities: <a href="https://cities.dpmc.gov.au/launceston-city-deal">Launceston</a>, <a href="https://cities.dpmc.gov.au/townsville-city-deal">Townsville</a>, <a href="https://darwincitydeal.nt.gov.au/">Darwin</a>, <a href="https://cities.dpmc.gov.au/hobart-city-deal">Hobart</a> and <a href="https://cities.dpmc.gov.au/geelong-city-deal">Geelong</a>.</p>
<p>Of course another way of looking at this is that half the City Deals involve capital cities. Either way, this is a higher proportion of investment in regional cities than programs from decades ago, such as <a href="http://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p118181/mobile/ch08.html">Building Better Cities</a> (1991-96).</p>
<p>The regional focus is also very evident in the first round of funding released under the Smart Suburbs and Cities Program, a pillar of the Smart Cities Plan. Initial funding in 2017 was <a href="https://cities.dpmc.gov.au/smart-cities-program">directed to delivering innovative projects</a> to improve the liveability, productivity and sustainability of cities and towns across Australia.</p>
<p>Half of the <a href="https://cities.dpmc.gov.au/smart-cities-program">first-round grants</a> under the program (see table below) went to regional towns and cities. Two decades earlier, they received just over a third under the <a href="http://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p118181/mobile/ch08s10.html">Building Better Cities program</a>. </p>
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<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/203727/original/file-20180129-100912-19g68qd.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/203727/original/file-20180129-100912-19g68qd.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/203727/original/file-20180129-100912-19g68qd.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=171&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/203727/original/file-20180129-100912-19g68qd.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=171&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/203727/original/file-20180129-100912-19g68qd.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=171&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/203727/original/file-20180129-100912-19g68qd.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=214&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/203727/original/file-20180129-100912-19g68qd.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=214&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/203727/original/file-20180129-100912-19g68qd.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=214&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
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<span class="caption">‘Other’ category indicates a project that involves both metropolitan and regional cities.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="license">Author provided</span></span>
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</figure>
<p>A breakdown of the 2017 funding round shows regional cities received 55% of the grant funds. The metropolitan “big five” received only 34%.</p>
<h2>Future directions for regional cities</h2>
<p>The City Deals policy and Smart Suburbs and Cities Program are pillars of the Smart Cities Plan. And both have had stronger regional city representation. Why?</p>
<p>First, <a href="http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09654313.2014.905005">European evidence</a> is pointing to potentially stronger economic output per person where there are many cities, as opposed to only one or two big cities, driving a nation’s growth. Hence, investing in regional cities could be a reflection of the development opportunities for small cities to contribute to national economic growth – rather than focusing all policy effort on fixing big city problems like congestion. This multi-city investment might then stimulate stronger national economic growth, compared to a purely two-city investment strategy.</p>
<p>Second, it could be because both City Deals and the Smart Cities Plan are trials of new policy mechanisms. City Deals is a partnership requiring cross-jurisdictional and issues-based negotiations with local, state and federal government agencies for success. The Smart Cities and Suburbs Program is essentially a technology funding program based on collaboration with private enterprises to deliver local solutions on the ground.</p>
<p>Regional cities are ideal test beds for these policy mechanisms. They are contained entities, where engagement is clear and vertical, transaction costs are low, and learnings are transferable to other (bigger) cities. This ensures a clear role for experimenting with policy mechanisms.</p>
<p>But what about the longer term? Is it just convenient to work in smaller cities with proof of concepts? Will the real innovation be centralised back into the metropolitan areas? And will the nation spread the economic growth load across the nation or concentrate it among the few big cities? Only time will tell.</p>
<p>In 2015 <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jago-dodson-2359">Jago Dodson</a> asked: “Could the federal government finally ‘get’ cities?” Recent progress looks promising. We are starting to see a national cities policy, rather than just a big cities policy.</p>
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<em>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/urban-policy-could-the-federal-government-finally-get-cities-47858">Urban policy: could the federal government finally ‘get’ cities?</a>
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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/90856/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Leonie Pearson researches small cities and works with the Regional Australia Institute (RAI). The RAI is a not-for-profit think tank and receives funding from government and non-government organisations.</span></em></p>With the emerging emphasis on regional City Deals and Smart Cities funding, perhaps Australia is beginning to find its way to a national cities policy, rather than just a big cities policy.Leonie Pearson, Adjunct Associate, University of CanberraLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/844262017-09-21T05:44:17Z2017-09-21T05:44:17ZHere’s 49 small communities innovating as well as the big cities<p>Innovation is the highest in regional centres that have research and development institutions and there are only 26 of these in regional Australia. But more than 150 regional areas have potential to match this innovation, a new index finds.</p>
<p>In conjunction with the Regional Australia Institute we’ve developed an <a href="http://www.regionalaustralia.org.au/home/innovation-insight-update/">Innovation Index</a> that maps the national spread of two complementary aspects of innovation – research and development and “business dynamo”. The measure of research and development is focused on technical expertise and the number of applications for patents and the business dynamo measure incorporates startup rates, trademarks and the number of business to business services. </p>
<p>Judging by these two measures, it’s true that big cities are the nation’s key innovation assets. One cause of this is the number of registered research and development institutions (174 out of around 200 nationwide) which are located in our big cities. This is where much of the research and development investment flows to. </p>
<p>But there are 49 local government areas like Hobart (Tas), Palerang and Yass Valley (NSW/ACT), Queenscliff (Vic), Toodyay (WA) and Darwin (NT) that score highly in both measures of the index. These areas combine a local business network with a high rate of trademark applications. This suggests that existing businesses in these places are innovating successfully.</p>
<p>The concerning contrast to this is Australia’s old industrial centres, such as Burnie and Glenorchy (Tas), Port Pirie (SA), Broken Hill (NSW) and Benalla (Vic). There are 195 areas like this across Australia, which have lost many businesses and jobs over the last 20 years. They are also among the worst performers in terms of innovation in regional Australia.</p>
<p>This 195 included a large number of areas with low populations, agricultural industries and areas that are remote.</p>
<p>There were 77 local government areas which scored strongly in engineering, science and research and development but weaker in the business dynamo measure. These areas are largely a mix of longstanding mining and minerals processing, like Whyalla (SA), Mt Isa (Qld), Muswellbrook and Singleton (NSW Hunter Valley), and new mining hotspots like Karratha (WA), Pilbara (WA), Weipa (QLD) and Roxby Downs (SA).</p>
<p>We found 110 areas were strong in business dynamo but with limited research and development capacity. These areas usually have strong lifestyle appeal like Hepburn (Vic), the Gold and Sunshine Coasts (Qld), Claire Valley and Victor Harbour (SA) and Busselton (WA). This also includes regional entrepreneurial centres like Griffith (NSW) and Ballarat (Vic).</p>
<h2>How regional areas are innovating</h2>
<p>Innovation in regional Australia is big business. A <a href="https://www.commbank.com.au/content/dam/commbank/assets/business/can/agribusiness/commbank-regional-business-insights-report.pdf">Commonwealth Bank report</a> found regional businesses perform better than their metropolitan counterparts on measures like asking employees for new ideas and looking to benefit from technology changes. </p>
<p>The report estimated that regional businesses are seeing a financial return from their investment in innovation to be an average of A$279,000, contributing A$19 billion to the economy each year. If all regional businesses reached this benchmark, the report believes the regional economy could grow by A$44 billion every year.</p>
<p>We found there are many regional businesses using innovative approaches and technologies to solve problems for not only their own communities, but others as well. </p>
<p>One is example is Therapy Connect, a business founded in Deniliquin, NSW, that operates solely online. It has become recognised as a leader in the field of providing online speech and occupational therapy supports to children and families in Australia. Their business has provided services to over 25 new regional areas across States and Territories in Australia and reaches as far as Asia, all from their own regional bases in New South Wales & Victoria.</p>
<p>Another example is business Pointer Remote Role, a platform that matches professional candidate profiles with roles that can be conducted remotely and that are specific to their skill set and experience. Think hookup app Tinder, but for remote employment. The business is based in The Rock, NSW, and was started to create a more level playing field for professionals living regionally. </p>
<p>States too are active. Queensland has a <a href="http://advance.qld.gov.au/assets/includes/docs/rihp-discussion-paper.pdf">Regional Innovation Hubs program</a> which is starting to fund spaces and activities to foster innovation in regional places. NSW too has an <a href="https://www.jobsfornsw.com.au/how-we-help/start-ups">augmented NSW incubators and accelerators program</a>, and South Australia has both early stage and <a href="http://innovation.sa.gov.au/opportunity/south-australian-venture-capital-fund/">venture capital funds</a>. </p>
<p>Mapping out these regional innovation ecosystems gives us a better idea of how these interventions can be even more targeted to addressing known weaknesses. Longreach’s Entrepreneur in Residence is a great example of how dedicated people and a little financial support can address a key gap. </p>
<p>Longreach in Central West Queensland hosted an Entrepreneur in Residence, Daniel Johnsen, from California. Johnsen is a US-based <a href="https://startupweekend.org/">Startup Weekend</a> facilitator and mentor. These Startup Weekends are a 54-hour events, where different people gather to pitch ideas for new startups, form teams around those ideas, and work to develop a working prototype, demo, or presentation by the Sunday evening. Johnsen set up the first Startup Weekend Outback Edition in August. He said:</p>
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<p>The pitches and ideas were on par with those that I have seen all over the world. I look forward to facilitating another one in the region before my time as Entrepreneur in Residence finishes next June.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>This is the kind of targeted approach, involving partnerships and collaboration with regional innovators and resource organisations, that’s needed to lift other regions performing badly in the index, to innovate better.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/84426/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Kim Houghton is General Manager Policy and Research with the Regional Australia Institute, an independent non-profit think tank funded by Commonwealth and State Governments.</span></em></p>Innovation is focused on regional centres that have research and development institutions, but more than 150 regional areas have potential to match this innovation, research finds.Kim Houghton, Adjunct Associate Professor IGPA, University of CanberraLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/832972017-09-05T02:54:20Z2017-09-05T02:54:20ZHere’s what social media data can tell us about the performance of Australian cities<p>The Australian government’s new <a href="https://cities.dpmc.gov.au/performance-framework">Smart Cities Plan: National Cities Performance Framework</a> identified “professional networks” as one indicator for measuring the progress of Australia’s largest cities. </p>
<p>It has based the indicator on social media data gathered from LinkedIn. This is the first case of government really using social media data to gauge the impact of urban policy on traditionally hard-to-measure issues. </p>
<h2>What is the data?</h2>
<p>The framework defines professional networks as:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>… the average ratio of workers’ LinkedIn connections in: the same city; other parts of Australia; and overseas.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>It is based on the premise that knowing a city’s professional network ratio helps to understand how connected its inhabitants are to other markets, customers and ideas – all of which support innovation, adaptation and city growth.</p>
<p>LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional online network; it has <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/people-human-resources/leadership/powerful-australian-chief-executives-founders-linkedin-revealed/">more than 500 million members</a> in more than 200 countries. In Australia alone, more than 9 million people have a LinkedIn profile: this is almost 75% of the working-age population.</p>
<p>The Regional Australia Institute and LinkedIn since 2016 <a href="http://www.regionalaustralia.org.au/home/2016/12/connecting-great-small-cities/">have mapped data</a> on local skills and job mobility of workers in eight regional Australian cities: Townsville, Sunshine Coast-Noosa, Greater Newcastle, Wollongong, Launceston, Darwin, Geelong and Hobart.</p>
<p>This work has been providing local leaders with critical near-time data on the skills, connections and mobility of their workers.</p>
<h2>What do the data tell us?</h2>
<p>Network data tell us how one node or person is connected to another. There are many different types of links, such as personal, professional, business, financial, or friends.</p>
<p>Your professional network is the people you do business with, learn from, get inspired by, or who may have snuck in under false pretences.</p>
<p>Depending on who you are, your professional network may or may not include family and friends. It may or may not be up to date, and it certainly is not the same for everyone.</p>
<p>We are looking at a city’s professional network, not individuals. So, it is an amalgamation of people who together form a city’s professional network.</p>
<p>For the eight cities in these reports, a general trend is that the average number of connections per member increases with city size.</p>
<p>But every city has a mix of local connections, national connections and international connections. The government is particularly interested in this breakdown of data when measuring city performance. </p>
<p>For the first time we can see what these data look like for eight regional cities. The data show that Newcastle and Hobart are very inwardly connected (31% and 32% local connections), while Darwin and Sunshine Coast (27% and 25%) are very internationally connected for Australian regional cities.</p>
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<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/184085/original/file-20170831-24230-1rt06xl.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/184085/original/file-20170831-24230-1rt06xl.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/184085/original/file-20170831-24230-1rt06xl.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=592&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/184085/original/file-20170831-24230-1rt06xl.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=592&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/184085/original/file-20170831-24230-1rt06xl.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=592&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/184085/original/file-20170831-24230-1rt06xl.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=744&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/184085/original/file-20170831-24230-1rt06xl.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=744&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/184085/original/file-20170831-24230-1rt06xl.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=744&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
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<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Regional Australia Institute</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span>
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<p>A challenge for any city’s performance framework is that once indicators are identified, how are the data generated? </p>
<p>Importantly for professional networks, what are the targets? What types of networks are measured? What identifies better city performance? Is it more connections? Or more local connections? Or more overseas connections? Is it a general rule, or is it city-specific?</p>
<p>In addition to what the National Cities Performance Framework is proposing, LinkedIn data can add a unique dataset not of qualifications (which is what most data measure), but of actual skills in demand for on-the-job performance. </p>
<p>For the eight cities, healthcare management was a top-five skill, as were IT infrastructure and system management, and education and teaching. </p>
<p>The data also show the skills with the highest mobility are a mix of hard skills (like software engineering and social media marketing) and soft skills (such as business development and relationship management, and management and leadership).</p>
<h2>How data could be used to measure city performance</h2>
<p>Data from LinkedIn provide a collective picture of skills and connections. The insights this provides rely on the sheer scale of membership, as the nature of membership and the level of activity of members are highly variable and depend on the line of work they do, or would like to get into. </p>
<p>These data tell us about each city as an island of people. It explores which places have more or less links. </p>
<p>This is a great step for understanding, in context, how outward-looking a city might be. It is therefore a reasonable proxy for what the Smart Cities Plan is trying to achieve when looking at city context. But we have to acknowledge that LinkedIn data are a sample of any location’s population, and the connections do not tell us anything about the type or quality of links.</p>
<p>This work has the potential to build on several strands of topical <a href="http://www.urbannetworks.org/">core research</a> into urban networks.</p>
<p>But, to do this, we would need to use LinkedIn data for what they are: network data. They have much greater depth and capacity than just as a measure of a city’s “professional connections”.</p>
<p>These data could test the current rhetoric on the benefits of mobile working arrangements, digital connectivity, or understand how the whole network of Australian city hubs and spokes functions.</p>
<p>Measuring city performance through LinkedIn data uses only a very small part of the analytical capacity these data offer. However, it is an important step in getting our national policy discussions to use big social media data as a tool to inform decision-making.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/83297/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Leonie Pearson works for the Regional Australia Institute (RAI). The RAI has a partnership with LinkedIn to share data and insights for the good of all Australians. </span></em></p>Knowing a city’s professional network ratio helps to understand how connected its inhabitants are to other markets, customers and ideas. All support innovation, adaptation and city growth.Leonie Pearson, Adjunct Associate, University of CanberraLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/819022017-08-07T20:12:11Z2017-08-07T20:12:11ZThis is how regional rail can help ease our big cities’ commuter crush<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/181120/original/file-20170807-19106-1rhefi7.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Rail investments have brought Ballarat, Geelong and other regional centres closer in travel time to Melbourne than many outer suburbs.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/bonitoclub/8384933083/in/photolist-dLWYtM-aHPSf-a7JGSn-agcooU-a5FgM6-iCP7f4-fyf9S-fyf6E-aNFgWt-au1Vk2-hESDYT-axWoBN-h16XAA-bxwUug-9t1PdX-bjC2gq-h16idd-j5paXB-8ZUypH-b5D5iV-at2rnH-d34upo-HJJoe-aFjuyK-964okU-j5oESS-5ccehQ-82uUUD-74swzu-6hCFjv-dS4XFZ-4uHr1G-74AErf-b5D4cX-74wJE2-j5pDrd-964onf-6weMwR-8Z7UDW-6NLYTA-rCLX5-aFjw1r-6hGHcA-rCLUy-wNJFYq-DcP5WM-8ZUvsk-4P19PP-6hGcUm-8ZXFXy">Tony & Wayne/flickr</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/">CC BY-NC</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>In Sydney and Melbourne, the squeeze is on. Population is booming; house prices are still rising; roads and trains are congested. Australian governments generally have ignored the benefits of relating metropolitan and regional planning.</p>
<p>However, some state governments are now investigating more integrated sectoral and spatial planning strategies, initially through shifting public sector jobs to regional centres. </p>
<p>In particular, improved regional rail connections do work. Already <a href="https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/projects/rail-projects/">rail investments</a> have brought Ballarat, Geelong and other regional centres closer in travel time to Melbourne than many outer suburbs, and this trend will continue. </p>
<hr>
<p><em><strong>Further reading:</strong> <a href="https://theconversation.com/commuters-help-regions-tap-into-city-driven-growth-63097">Commuters help regions tap into city-driven growth</a></em></p>
<hr>
<p>Sydney has similar opportunities with regional rail connections, but has not yet exercised them. Rail services to and from Gosford, Newcastle and Wollongong have improved little over recent decades. </p>
<h2>Rail bypasses clogged arteries</h2>
<p>For decades, policymakers’ <a href="https://theconversation.com/victoria-needs-a-big-picture-transport-plan-that-isnt-about-winners-v-losers-65567">preferred solution to congestion</a> has been adding and widening freeways. But promises of faster travel times and freer movement have been illusory. New roads and freeway lanes <a href="https://theconversation.com/new-freeways-cure-congestion-time-to-put-the-myth-to-bed-13896">induce more traffic</a> and will provide short-lived solutions in our biggest cities.</p>
<hr>
<p><em><strong>Further reading:</strong> <a href="https://theconversation.com/traffic-congestion-is-there-a-miracle-cure-hint-its-not-roads-42753">Traffic congestion: is there a miracle cure? (Hint: it’s not roads)</a></em></p>
<hr>
<p>These cities are the main drivers of Australia’s national economy, attracting advanced business service professionals and knowledge providers. </p>
<p>Access to high-value jobs, transport arteries that function well, and better-managed population growth will become critically important to urban economies as these cities move towards populations of 8 million people. </p>
<p>In Sydney and Melbourne, critics are claiming that major new road projects such as <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-fewer-drivers-are-likely-to-use-westconnex-than-predicted-38286">WestConnex</a> and the <a href="https://theconversation.com/modelling-for-major-road-projects-is-at-odds-with-driver-behaviour-63603">Western Distributor</a> will <a href="https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/about-council/.../may16-fmc2-agenda-6-1.pdf">increase central city traffic congestion</a>, particularly for <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/melbourne-city-council-report-is-critical-of-western-distributor-plans-20160512-gou0tq.html">work-related journeys</a>. </p>
<hr>
<p><em><strong>Further reading:</strong> <a href="https://theconversation.com/modelling-for-major-road-projects-is-at-odds-with-driver-behaviour-63603">Modelling for major road projects is at odds with driver behaviour</a></em></p>
<hr>
<h2>Victoria proves regional rail works</h2>
<p>Contrast that with the success of regional rail development. Victoria has invested several billion dollars in a series of projects. These have raised maximum regional train speeds to provincial cities to 160kph, increased reliability, provided new and much <a href="http://www.railfutures.org.au/2016/08/intercity-how-regional-rail-can-re-balance-population-growth-and-create-a-state-of-cities-in-victoria/">faster trains and transformed frequency</a>.</p>
<figure class="align-right zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/181124/original/file-20170807-6948-tecx1i.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/181124/original/file-20170807-6948-tecx1i.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/181124/original/file-20170807-6948-tecx1i.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=663&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/181124/original/file-20170807-6948-tecx1i.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=663&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/181124/original/file-20170807-6948-tecx1i.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=663&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/181124/original/file-20170807-6948-tecx1i.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=833&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/181124/original/file-20170807-6948-tecx1i.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=833&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/181124/original/file-20170807-6948-tecx1i.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=833&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Victoria’s investment in regional rail has quadrupled train services and almost halved travel time between Ballarat and Melbourne.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/camperdown/28038626890/in/photolist-JHFhVy-Khcmja-K41PqS-Kacg5q-sQLNRo-JxQmGN-Ht53h3-Krv3yb-yC5G2E-K9mrf8-JxJsDj-JxSCxF-xXj8Ya-K2oyrj-JxJoeC-E1Qxyk-KnyQVx-Kno1tT-scpF6Y-sR1Q8H-bX8kv3-6hCxPF-6hGHcA-KhcqQp-sQYuxi-KufDw8-Kum23z-qV4ajk-UULjeH-UThL7X-VVUCUC-WduPzL-aHieqX-VmhYvH-X7BVan-nzEMuB-nkcFBD-UihKzM-TMo3zY-nAswF7-nku4UJ-aHpbxz-TbJf5q-TRzjkj-bX8mif-W9Vppf-qr1EH8-aHpbxD-UihJKR-h9SDEX">Hugh Llewelyn/flickr</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/">CC BY-SA</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The 119km peak-hour trip from Ballarat to Melbourne before these investments took two hours, with four trains a day on offer. Today 22 daily trains operate in each direction between Melbourne and Ballarat. Boarding the 4.33pm from Southern Cross delivers passengers to Ballarat 65 minutes later. </p>
<p>From Geelong, the transformation has been even greater. The recently completed <a href="http://economicdevelopment.vic.gov.au/transport/rail-and-roads/public-transport/regional-rail-link">Regional Rail Link</a> runs 55 daily trains each way. The project was the first to be approved by Infrastructure Australia, backed by A$3.8 billion in state and Commonwealth funding.</p>
<h2>Patronage boom calls for more work</h2>
<p>These upgrades, however, have become victims of their own success. Some lines have recorded a <a href="http://www.railfutures.org.au/2016/08/intercity-how-regional-rail-can-re-balance-population-growth-and-create-a-state-of-cities-in-victoria/">300% increase in patronage</a>. Similar increases are projected for the next decade. </p>
<p>Remarkably, within two years of opening, patronage growth has already <a href="http://www.railfutures.org.au/2016/08/intercity-how-regional-rail-can-re-balance-population-growth-and-create-a-state-of-cities-in-victoria/">reached capacity</a> on the inner part of the Regional Rail Link (which segregates metropolitan from country trains for travel to and from central Melbourne). There is little or no capacity for extra trains to be run in peak times. </p>
<p>Trains are becoming ever more crowded. Long-distance commuters have valued their ability to work, read or sleep on these trains, especially during their homeward journeys. They must now compete for seats with others from rapidly expanding western suburbs, which are yet to gain their own suburban train services. </p>
<p>A short-term fix would create longer trains of eight carriages instead of six. A medium-term fix would electrify and provide separate services to the part of the Geelong line that serves the new dormitory suburbs. </p>
<p>These changes need to be complemented by more frequent and better co-ordinated feeder bus services to stations. In addition, easily accessed large commuter carparks need to be built on vacant land on the Melbourne side of the major regional centres.</p>
<p>In the longer term, the answer lies in providing more multiple tracks to fully segregate suburban and regional trains in suburban areas. Providing robust double-line railways in each corridor will prevent the cascade effect that occurs when trains delay each other on single lines. </p>
<p>The completion of level-crossing removals will also allow higher operating speeds and safer operations. Trains will be able to move progressively to maximum speeds of 200kph where feasible rather than 160kph. </p>
<h2>Regional cities must avoid past mistakes</h2>
<p>These rail investments will further promote population growth in regional cities. Already, regionally developed services, more affordable housing stock and less frantic lifestyles are acting as attractors.</p>
<p>It is essential to integrate the planning of major regional transport projects with spatial planning to avoid the undesirable results of fragmented policy. </p>
<p>Some regional centres are repeating the worst mistakes of metropolitan low-density urban sprawl by expanding on greenfield sites far from town centres. <a href="http://soacconference.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Buxton3.pdf">Modelling of Victorian regional towns</a> has shown that they contain in-fill opportunities to at least double existing populations and provide a range of affordable housing options. </p>
<p>To maintain liveability for expected high population growth, heavy rail investment is vital. Carefully targeted regional rail investment can shrink distance, provide access to more jobs and better lifestyles, and contribute to wider housing choices. </p>
<p>This investment is a critical requirement for continued prosperity in Australia’s largest urban centres.</p>
<hr>
<p><em>This article was co-authored by Bill Russell of the <a href="http://www.railfutures.org.au/">Rail Futures Institute</a>, Melbourne.</em></p>
<p><em>Find out more about what Victoria can do to overcome the commuter crush at <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/railway-remedies-cutting-the-crush-on-geelong-trains-tickets-36216041154">Railway Remedies: Cutting the Crush on Geelong Trains</a>, hosted by the RMIT Centre for Urban Research (CUR) and Deakin University at the Percy Baxter Theatre, Deakin Geelong campus, on Wednesday, August 9.</em></p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/81902/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Michael Buxton received funding from Land and Water Australia as head of a research project into peri-urban regions.</span></em></p>Victoria offers lessons in the benefits of integrating metropolitan and regional planning, using regional rail to shrink distance and ease the pressures of growth on our big capital cities.Michael Buxton, Professor of Environment and Planning, RMIT UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/810992017-08-02T20:21:14Z2017-08-02T20:21:14ZAustralia’s city/country divide is not as wide as you may think<p>Many people assume Australia’s regions are getting a raw deal compared to the big cities. But beneath the oft-told “tale of two Australias” is a more nuanced story.</p>
<p><a href="https://grattan.edu.au/report/regional-patterns-of-australias-economy-and-population/">New research released today by the Grattan Institute</a> shows that income growth and unemployment rates are not obviously worse in regional areas. Cities and regions both have pockets of disadvantage, as well as areas with healthy income growth and low unemployment.</p>
<p>But shifts in population are driving a wedge between city and regional Australia. Fewer people are living in remote areas. And because of this, the economy is becoming more concentrated in cities and large regional centres.</p>
<h2>Income growth in the regions has kept pace with the cities</h2>
<p>The gap in incomes between the cities and the regions is actually not getting wider. </p>
<iframe src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/WbGEx/3/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" oallowfullscreen="oallowfullscreen" msallowfullscreen="msallowfullscreen" width="100%" height="630"></iframe>
<p>Income growth was particularly high over the past decade in the mining areas of Western Australia and Queensland. But this is not just a mining-state phenomenon: average growth in income per person was similar in cities and regions across every state.</p>
<p>Income growth was high in areas close to the centre of Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. But suburban parts of these cities did not fare so well – areas in Sydney’s west and Melbourne’s outer ring had some of the lowest income growth in the nation.</p>
<p>The absolute level of income tends to be higher in the cities than the regions - but this has always been so. The highest taxable incomes in Australia are in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, followed by Cottesloe in Perth and Stonnington in eastern Melbourne. The only regional area in the top 20 areas by taxable income is the mining region of Pilbara in WA.</p>
<p>The lowest taxable incomes are in Tasmania and the regions of the east-coast states, especially the far north coast of NSW, central Victoria and southern Queensland.</p>
<h2>Where unemployment is worst</h2>
<p>Unemployment is not obviously worse in the regions than the cities, but both have areas of strong disadvantage. </p>
<p>Parts of Far North Queensland have the highest rates of unemployment: 40% or more, compared to the national average of 6.1% in 2016. Most of these areas have had high unemployment rates for many years.</p>
<p>Unemployment tends to be higher in large regional towns than in surrounding rural areas. In the capital cities, unemployment is concentrated along the “spines” - built-up areas that follow major roads.</p>
<p>Unemployment got worse over the last five years in many areas where the jobless rate was already high. The unemployment rate increased in the northern parts of WA, the Northern Territory and Queensland between 2011 and 2016. Unemployment appears to be entrenched in these areas.</p>
<p>Unemployment also got worse along city “spines”: the Ipswich to Carole Park corridor in Brisbane, and the Dandenong to Pakenham corridor in Melbourne. The exception was the Botany Bay to Liverpool corridor in Sydney, where unemployment improved but remains high.</p>
<p><strong>Interactive map</strong></p>
<p><em>Click on the map below to compare income, income growth, unemployment and population growth.</em> </p>
<iframe width="100%" height="520" frameborder="0" src="https://grattan.carto.com/builder/a928f4b6-b747-47ae-9034-3766e0ecb6a5/embed" allowfullscreen="" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<p><em>The full functionality of this graph is not available on mobile devices/small screens. If so, <a href="https://grattan.carto.com/builder/a928f4b6-b747-47ae-9034-3766e0ecb6a5/embed">click here</a> to open in a new window</em></p>
<h2>Population growth is much stronger in the cities</h2>
<p>The regions are not noticeably falling behind in terms of income growth and employment. But there are big – and growing – differences in the location of economic activity and where people are choosing to live.</p>
<p>A long-term trend in Australia’s economy continued in the past decade: fewer people are working in agriculture and manufacturing, and more are finding jobs in services. The loss of agricultural and manufacturing work is felt most keenly in regional and outer-suburban areas. And many service jobs – particularly professional services – tend to cluster in the centre of cities.</p>
<p>Large regional towns exert a gravitational pull on the populations of smaller rural communities. Major cities have a stronger pull again, drawing younger and more-educated people from the regions as well as the majority of new migrants.</p>
<p>This is evident in the population data over the past decade: in general, populations declined in small towns in the east-coast states and South Australia, but increased in larger regional centres. Population – and unemployment – also tended to increase faster in the towns along the east coast. Populations in the major cities, meanwhile, grew strongly.</p>
<p>Voters in regional areas are <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/news/the-rise-of-protest-politics/">increasingly voting for minor parties</a>. It’s often suggested this is because of the <a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/john-black/one-nation-and-pauline-hanson-tap-into-a-regional-disconnect/news-story/5f13ab8d3d49e0f379a22ee486a1ca5b">deteriorating economic position of the regions</a>.</p>
<p>But given that people in regions have generally fared as well as those in cities over the past decade, major parties may need to look beyond income and employment to discover what is driving dissatisfaction among regional voters.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/81099/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Grattan Institute began with contributions to its endowment of $15 million from each of the Federal and Victorian Governments, $4 million from BHP Billiton, and $1 million from NAB. In order to safeguard its independence, Grattan Institute’s board controls this endowment. The funds are invested and contribute to funding Grattan Institute's activities. Grattan Institute also receives funding from corporates, foundations, and individuals to support its general activities as disclosed on its website.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Carmela Chivers and Danielle Wood do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>New research released today by the Grattan Institute shows that income growth and unemployment rates are not obviously worse in regional areas.John Daley, Chief Executive Officer, Grattan InstituteCarmela Chivers, Associate, Grattan Institute, Grattan InstituteDanielle Wood, Fellow, Australian Perspectives, Grattan InstituteLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/809542017-07-23T20:09:09Z2017-07-23T20:09:09ZHow can our cities match Europe’s for finding value in their creative vibe?<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/178940/original/file-20170720-23992-1l9vijb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Edinburgh is one of the European cities that make the most of their creative and cultural assets.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/topaz-mcnumpty/9425861004/in/photolist-fmW15U-fti4HW-2A8KwB-2A8BPF-fv8XzL-71UmQR-ftpCEa-oFPdEt-cNL8s3-fnyJkZ-fvxiQ7-acU4NJ-fQ4mEw-VeZbgB-nfGB2-fqLD6s-fqobox-fvLeCS-fmU94i-oU4ytV-5bXXpQ-5e2qPA-fzWWhp-fqmwUB-fu6Sns-fvyeUw-cMDtMW-xfPNM-ay7HPA-5f66XN-fncGas-9fBRmh-fmZvwT-2yehya-fmZxAD-fu5Jh1-5f1J9p-5fF58g-2ZEXt8-nfGB4-cNFgXL-cNA8rs-Vo1u9A-WqFPZt-fqLEsF-d5fyCs-5f1JnP-ay4ZTx-fmZrEM-fmZwCH">Hamish Irvine/flickr</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/">CC BY-NC</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>European cultural and creative cities have stronger economic output and more jobs than their Australian counterparts. So why is our urban creative vibrancy associated with city size, not economic performance?</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Culture nurtures our souls and binds our communities together, while creativity helps reveal new answers to our challenges and anxieties. Industries that build on creativity and culture are also a source of great economic value and social well-being.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>So opens the latest European Union report, <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/publication/eur-scientific-and-technical-research-reports/cultural-and-creative-cities-monitor-2017-edition">The Cultural and Creative Cities Monitor 2017 Edition</a>. The report and supporting data represent an effort to measure something we all know is important – the creative vibe of cities. </p>
<p>Creativity is making its way more and more into policy discussions. Note the European <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/culture/policies/strategic-framework/strategy-international-cultural-relations_en">policy</a> announced last year, Towards an EU Strategy for International Cultural Resolutions, and the European Parliament’s <a href="http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&reference=P8-TA-2016-0486&language=EN">resolution</a> to deliver “coherent EU policy for cultural and creative industries”. </p>
<p>Australia <a href="https://eprints.qut.edu.au/89368/">lacks a current national cultural and creative industries policy</a>. There are clear parallels, though, with the national <a href="https://industry.gov.au/innovation/GlobalInnovationStrategy/index.html">Global Innovation Strategy</a>. Other innovation and creative programs are happening at state level, such as <a href="https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/growing-business/becoming-innovative/innovation-grants-support/innovate-queensland">Innovate Queensland</a>.</p>
<p>The European work shows that having cultural and creative cities can deliver significant economic benefits. The positive associations between cultural and creative cities and annual GDP per capita and jobs per capita are clear and strong.</p>
<p>Overall, they also found city size isn’t everything: smaller cities perform just as well as big cities. </p>
<h2>How do the biggest 36 Australian cities compare?</h2>
<p>We don’t have the data to construct the same metrics as the EU. However, based on the <a href="http://www.regionalaustralia.org.au/Great_small_cities_data_tool">publicly available data</a> from the Regional Australia Institute, we use the <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2010/06/bohemian-index/57658/">Bohemian Index</a> as a proxy indicator for creative economy. </p>
<p>This index, <a href="http://www.creativeclass.com/rfcgdb/articles/6%20Bohemia_and_Economic_Geography.pdf">devised</a> by <a href="https://www.creativeclass.com/rfcgdb/articles/The%20Australian.pdf">Richard Florida</a>, <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2010/06/bohemian-index/57658/">measures</a> “the concentration of working artists, musicians, writers, designers, and entertainers across metropolitan areas”.</p>
<p>Australian findings show no association between creatives and city output, measured as gross value added (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gross_value_added">GVA</a>) per capita. There is only a slight positive relationship between jobs and creativity, as shown below. In contrast, the European <a href="http://www.politico.eu/blogs/playbook-plus/2017/07/eu-identifies-the-ultimate-european-city/screen-shot-2017-07-06-at-13-39-30/">Creative and Cultural Cities Index</a> is highly and positively correlated to both GDP and jobs per capita.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/178376/original/file-20170717-14267-w1hvkb.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/178376/original/file-20170717-14267-w1hvkb.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=361&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/178376/original/file-20170717-14267-w1hvkb.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=361&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/178376/original/file-20170717-14267-w1hvkb.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=361&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/178376/original/file-20170717-14267-w1hvkb.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=453&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/178376/original/file-20170717-14267-w1hvkb.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=453&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/178376/original/file-20170717-14267-w1hvkb.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=453&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Figure 1. Bohemian Index of Australia’s 36 largest cities and output (GVA) per capita and jobs per capita.</span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>As we can see, there is a positive relationship between Australian city size and creative employment. This is the opposite of what the Europeans found. </p>
<p>So what do Australia cities share with European cities in the way of creative economy and economic performance? Basically, there is a positive and strong correlation between a city’s Bohemian Index and new business start-up rate, trademark rate (see Figure 2) and rate of business owners.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/178377/original/file-20170717-30889-1v3042m.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/178377/original/file-20170717-30889-1v3042m.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=361&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/178377/original/file-20170717-30889-1v3042m.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=361&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/178377/original/file-20170717-30889-1v3042m.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=361&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/178377/original/file-20170717-30889-1v3042m.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=453&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/178377/original/file-20170717-30889-1v3042m.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=453&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/178377/original/file-20170717-30889-1v3042m.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=453&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Figure 2. Bohemian Index of Australia’s 36 largest cities and trademark applications.</span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Creativity also has significant positive associations with higher rates of bachelor degree qualifications or higher, housing affordability and commute time. </p>
<p>Disturbingly for Australia, creativity is positively associated with income inequality (measured as 80:20 ratio) as well. Does this mean that our cities with more creative jobs also have more rich patrons and poor arts students?</p>
<p>Importantly, not all cities perform the same. Our 31 regional cities show a significant and negative relationship between unemployment rates and Bohemian Index. Maybe the metro “Big 5” can learn from our regional city strengths in delivering stronger creativity and lower unemployment. </p>
<h2>What can Australia learn from Europe?</h2>
<p>Creative and cultural cities are obviously valued as important for global society, but European research clearly shows that these cities are also capable of delivering jobs and strong economic output. </p>
<p>Do we want all Australian cities to resemble Gladstone, with its high jobs and output, or Hobart, with its strong creative occupations? The Europeans have shown us we can have both in the one city – and not just in the big cities.</p>
<p>Importantly, if Australia follows a policy-transfer approach to creative and cultural cities, we should be cautious. These policies are also promoting economic performance in Europe, but what will they do here when we don’t see the same relationships?</p>
<p>While the latest EU work shows you can measure the cultural and creative aspects of a city, it does stipulate that this is not a be-all-and-end-all metric. It’s more the start of the discussion: how can we better measure our cities’ creativity and cultural values?</p>
<p>Europe uses three metrics (combining quantitative and qualitative data) to gauge a city’s cultural vibrancy, creative economy and enabling culture environment. The work is long and involved. Cities are required to provide information on 29 indicators – number of seats in a theatre, for instance. </p>
<p>We have just used one metric here, perhaps highlighting that poor data hinders good decision-making. A better measure of creative and cultural Australian cities could have provided different associations. </p>
<p>Australia is the “lucky country”, so why can’t we have it all – jobs and creativity in all our cities?</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/80954/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Leonie Pearson works for the Regional Australia Institute (RAI). The RAI is a not-for-profit think tank and receives funding from government and non-government organisations. </span></em></p>A comparison of 36 Australian cities finds that, unlike Europe, the data on their creativity and culture are not closely linked to their capacity to generate economic value and social well-being.Leonie Pearson, Adjunct Associate, University of CanberraLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/797602017-06-25T20:11:58Z2017-06-25T20:11:58ZBust the regional city myths and look beyond the ‘big 5’ for a $378b return<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/175303/original/file-20170623-27880-7ozx6i.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Geelong’s relatively high creative industries score, coupled with a robust rate of business entries, provides a solid foundation for steady growth.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-illustration/geelong-skyline-watercolor-background-365647397">paulrommer from www.shutterstock.com</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Investing in regional cities’ economic performance makes good sense. Contrary to popular opinion, <a href="http://www.regionalaustralia.org.au/home/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Lighting-Up-our-Great-Small-Cities_Report.pdf">new research</a> <a href="http://www.regionalaustralia.org.au/home/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Blueprint-for-Investing-in-City-Deals_Report.pdf">out today</a> shows regional cities generate national economic growth and jobs at the same rate as big metropolitan cities. They are worthy of economic investment in their own right – not just on social and equity grounds.</p>
<p>However, for regional cities to capture their <a href="http://www.regionalaustralia.org.au/home/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Lighting-Up-our-Great-Small-Cities_Report.pdf">potential A$378 billion output</a> to 2031, immediate action is needed. Success will see regional cities in 2031 produce twice as much as all the new economy industries produce in today’s metropolitan cities.</p>
<p>Drawing on lessons from the UK, the collaborative work by the <a href="http://www.regionalaustralia.org.au/home/">Regional Australia Institute</a> and the <a href="http://www.centreforcities.org/">UK Centre for Cities</a> spotlights criteria and data all Australian cities can use to help <a href="http://www.regionalaustralia.org.au/home/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Blueprint-for-Investing-in-City-Deals_Report.pdf">get themselves investment-ready</a>. </p>
<h2>Build on individual strengths</h2>
<p>The Regional Australia Institute’s latest work confirms that city population size does not determine economic performance. There is no significant statistical difference between the economic performance of Australia’s big five metro cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide) and its 31 regional cities in historical output, productivity and participation rates.</p>
<iframe src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/LSkSm/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" oallowfullscreen="oallowfullscreen" msallowfullscreen="msallowfullscreen" width="100%" height="335"></iframe>
<p>So, regional cities are as well positioned to create investment returns as their big five metro cousins. The same rules apply – investment that builds on existing city strengths and capabilities will produce returns. </p>
<p>No two cities have the same strengths and capabilities. However, regional cities do fall into four economic performance groups – gaining, expanding, slipping, and slow and steady. This helps define the investment focus they might require. </p>
<p>For example, the report finds Fraser Coast (Hervey Bay), Sunshine Coast-Noosa and Gold Coast are gaining cities. Their progress is fuelled by high population growth rates (around 2.7% annually from 2001 to 2013). But stimulating local businesses will deliver big job growth opportunities. </p>
<figure class="align-right zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/175305/original/file-20170623-22683-87y1f5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/175305/original/file-20170623-22683-87y1f5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/175305/original/file-20170623-22683-87y1f5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=900&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175305/original/file-20170623-22683-87y1f5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=900&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175305/original/file-20170623-22683-87y1f5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=900&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175305/original/file-20170623-22683-87y1f5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=1131&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175305/original/file-20170623-22683-87y1f5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=1131&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175305/original/file-20170623-22683-87y1f5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=1131&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Rapid population growth is driving the Gold Coast economy, making it a ‘gaining’ city.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/modern-city-night-viewed-above-vertical-76808539?src=Xy9I_pcfERT9pI3PeHS8jA-1-8">Pawel Papis from www.shutterstock.com</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Similarly, the expanding cities of Cairns, Central Coast and Toowoomba are forecast to have annual output growth of 3.2% to 3.9% until 2031, building on strong foundations of business entries. But they need to create more high-income jobs.</p>
<p>Geelong and Ballarat have low annual population growth rates of around 1.2% to 1.5%. They are classified as slow and steady cities. But their relatively high creative industries scores, coupled with robust rates of business entries, means they have great foundations for growth. They need to stimulate local businesses to deliver city growth. </p>
<h2>Get ready to deal</h2>
<p>Regional cities remain great places to live. They often score more highly than larger cities on measures of <a href="http://www.wagga.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/28096/Suncorp-Bank-Report_Family-Friendly-City_FINAL.pdf">wellbeing and social connection</a>. </p>
<p>But if there’s no shared vision, or local leaders can’t get along well enough to back a shared set of priorities, or debate is dominated by opinion in spite of evidence, local politics may win the day. Negotiations to secure substantial city investment will then likely fail.</p>
<p>The federal government’s <a href="https://cities.dpmc.gov.au/smart-cities-plan">Smart Cities Plan</a> has identified <a href="https://cities.dpmc.gov.au/city-deals">City Deals</a> as the vehicle for investment in regional cities. </p>
<p>This collaborative, cross-portfolio, cross-jurisdictional investment mechanism needs all players working together (federal, state and local government), along with community, <a href="https://theconversation.com/regional-universities-have-a-pivotal-role-to-play-in-australias-city-deals-78339">university</a> and private sector partners. This leaves no place for dominant single interests at the table.</p>
<p>Clearly, the most organised regional cities ready to deal are those capable of getting collaborative regional leadership and strategic planning. </p>
<p>For example, the <a href="http://www.g21.com.au/about-g21">G21 region</a> in Victoria (including Greater Geelong, Queenscliffe, Surf Coast, Colac Otway and Golden Plains) has well-established credentials in this area. This has enabled the region to move quickly on <a href="http://www.g21.com.au/news/g21-works-geelong-%E2%80%98city-deal%E2%80%99">City Deal negotiations</a>. </p>
<h2>Moving past talk to be investment-ready</h2>
<p>There’s $378 billion on the table, but Australia’s capacity to harness it will depend on achieving two key goals.</p>
<ul>
<li><p>First, shifting the entrenched view that the smart money invests only in our big metro cities. This is wrong. Regional cities are just as well positioned to create investment returns as the big five metro centres. </p></li>
<li><p>Second, regions need to get “investment-ready” for success. This means they need to be able to collaborate well enough to develop an informed set of shared priorities for investment, supported by evidence and linked to a clear growth strategy that builds on existing economic strengths and capabilities. They need to demonstrate their capacity to deliver.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>While there has been <a href="https://theconversation.com/au/topics/city-deals-26196">much conjecture</a> on the relevance and appropriateness of City Deals in Australia, it is mainly focused on big cities. But both big and small cities drive our national growth.</p>
<hr>
<p><em>You can explore the data and compare the 31 regional cities using the RAI’s <a href="http://www.regionalaustralia.org.au/home/great-small-cities-data-tool/">interactive data visualisation tool</a>.</em></p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/79760/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Dr Leonie Pearson is the Great Small Cities Program Leader at the Regional Australia Institute (RAI), an independent not-for-profit think-tank specialised in regional economic development. The Institute receives funding from government and other sources.</span></em></p>Regional cities can be as effective at generating jobs and growth as their big five metro cousins. But they must identify and build on their strengths to be investment-ready.Leonie Pearson, Adjunct Associate, University of CanberraLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.