Gabrielle Duykers, Naracoorte Community News
Access to housing, education, mobile service, and high-quality freight infrastructure are the most significant development issues facing the region, according to a recent report.
The 2022 Regional Strengths and Infrastructure Gaps report – developed in partnership with Regional Development Australia Limestone Coast (RDALC) and Infrastructure Australia – was assembled to highlight opportunities for supporting the regionalisation trend that occurred as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Extensive consultation with regional bodies, stakeholders, and community groups found available housing, access to further education and training, broadband and mobile connectivity, and the quality of freight infrastructure were considered the most critical infrastructure gaps within the Limestone Coast.
The report highlighted that while the desirability and liveability of the region had increased housing demand, the lack of infrastructure investment was unable to accommodate the rising population.
RDALC chair Evan Flint said this was limiting the scope for economic development.
“The increased demand for housing and lack of available and affordable accommodation for workers means businesses in the region have not been able to operate at full capacity or grow as a consequence,” said Evan Flint, Chair of RDALC.
The number of people seeking emergency accommodation at Limestone Coast Homelessness Service increased by a third from December 2020 and January 2021, compared to the same period in 2019/20.
More than 24 per cent of residents also reported experiencing rental stress.
At the time of print, the residential rental vacancy rate in Naracoorte was less than 0 per cent, with no properties available for lease.
Bordertown, Keith, Millicent, and Penola each only had one rental property available, while three were listed in Robe, and 11 in Kingston.
The RDALC report also identified access to skills and available workforce as significant challenges for growth.
Mr Flint said the majority of small businesses faced major skills related issues, which limited their ability to create further employment opportunities.
“The provision of appropriate education infrastructure is critical to ensure the development and retention of a sustainable working population, with the right type of skills and capabilities to support industry growth,” he said.
According to the report, 33.5 per cent of Limestone Coast residents completed year 12, compared to 47 per cent across South Australia.
Only 1.3 per cent of residents were found to be currently attending university, compared to the statewide average of 4.7 per cent.
Multiple black spots across the region and their impact on communities and industry performance was yet another major issue detailed within the report.
The region’s seven local government areas averaged an Australian Digital Inclusion Index score of 63.9, which is below the national average of 71.1 and the state average of 69.17.
Mr Flint said digital connectivity was vital in ensuring the Limestone Coast could remain competitive with metropolitan regions.
“The need to improve our digital infrastructure is critical in supporting changing delivery models for training and education in the region,” he said.
The growing freight task and increasing number of heavier trucks on local roads were noted as the region’s final key priority.
Addressing the demand for intermodal freight hub facilities and freight rail connections in the southern parts of the Limestone Coast was deemed a necessity to help support growing freight volumes and alleviate pressure on local roads.
Mr Flint said he encouraged all stakeholders and relevant groups to use the report findings to bring forward solutions to local challenges and seize opportunities for “growth, innovation and investment”.
The full report is available at infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/2022-regional-strengths-and-infrastructure-gaps-SA.
This article appeared in the Naracoorte Community News.
