15.06.2022Committees for Cities and Regions Network meet to discuss city-shaping ideas

Following the Federal Election in May, it was timely for the Committees for Cities and Regions Network (the network) to meet in Ballarat on 3 June, to collaborate on city-shaping challenges and opportunities.

Hosted by Committee for Ballarat at Federation University Australia, Technology Park, the network discussed important issues ranging from skills shortages, housing affordability, energy and climate, health and reconciliation.

A keynote presentation was provided about the IBM – Innovation and Emerging Technology Hub, Federation University. Carolyn Chong (Deputy Vice-Chancellor Federation University) and Pearl Myers (Associate Partner & CIC Leader, IBM) outlined innovative curriculum solutions spanning decades of collaborative work. The discussion highlighted that collaborative efforts between research, education and industry can result in increased educational opportunities, innovation and jobs creation.

Robert Pradolin, Founder and Director of Housing All Australians (HAA), presented on upcoming economic research to be released by HAA, relating to the huge costs of underinvestment in social and affordable housing. The network was supportive of the release of data that demonstrates the importance of investment in social and affordable housing and looks forward to further work on how to increase the supply of social and affordable housing.

There is no doubt that all sectors of the economy are facing a skills shortage – including the health, digital, technology and manufacturing sectors. Committee for Perth updated the network on skills research in a changing economic climate. This commenced an important and ongoing discussion by the network about how the country is going to face into the looming skills crisis.

Thank you very much to Michael Poulton (CEO, Committee for Ballarat) and the Committee for Ballarat team for hosting the network and chairing the discussions.

The network will meet next in October in Canberra and looks forward to working with the Albanese Government on the important future shaping issues for our cities.

The Network represents Committees for Adelaide, Auckland (NZ), Ballarat, Brisbane, Broome, Canterbury (NZ), Cairns, Echuca Moama, Geelong, Gippsland, Gold Coast, Greater Frankston, Greater Shepparton, Hobart, The Hunter, Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula, Perth, Portland, Sydney, Wagga and Wyndham.

The Committees for Cities and Regions Network is not politically motivated or aligned, and works in harmony with many groups, stakeholders and organisations that are also acting in the best interests of their communities. The Network is a unifying voice and does not advance the self-interest of any individual member organisation.

Committee for Melbourne is the Secretariat for the network. For more information, please contact Leanne Edwards, Director Policy and Research.

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