New regional vision puts SA’s future on the map
A bold new roadmap for South Australia’s future puts regional communities front and centre – urging governments, businesses and locals to work together to unlock their full potential.
South Australia’s regions are a vital part of the state’s future, powering long-term prosperity, innovation and resilience.
That’s the message from Regional Development South Australia (RDSA), which today launched its Regional Priorities Statement: Strong Regions, Smart Growth, a long-term plan that looks at how we grow, invest and collaborate across the state.
“Our regions are not only vital to South Australia’s identity – they are central to its future,” RDSA Executive Chair Hon. Rob Kerin said.
“From renewable energy and agritech to green steel and premium exports, regional South Australia holds the key to unlocking the next chapter of economic complexity, innovation and sovereign capability for our entire state.
“The future of our state depends on the strength and sustainability of its regions.”
The statement sets out a statewide vision that pushes for regional innovation, population growth, jobs and smarter infrastructure investment.
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The vision is guided by three pillars: building on regional strengths (Accelerating Advantage), investing in people and skills (Powering Potential with People), and embedding the regions in South Australia’s long-term planning, policy and investment decisions (Making it Matter).
It’s a call to move beyond short-term fixes and toward long-term collaboration and investment.
Last year, regional South Australia’s Gross Regional Product grew to $35.89 billion – the strongest performance in at least 20 years. The majority of the state’s exports also come directly from its regions.
RDSA’s ambition is to increase this economic output, building on important existing industries, such as food, wine, forestry and tourism, and looking to maximise regional growth in new and emerging industries, such as defence, space and green energy.
Rather than waiting for problems to arise, the plan calls for coordinated action immediately.
It identifies key barriers to growth – such as housing shortages, skills gaps, limited transport links and ageing infrastructure – and calls for real solutions to overcome them, backed by local knowledge and evidence from SA’s seven regional areas, spanning from the Limestone Coast to the Far North.
“For too long, regional needs have been an afterthought,” Kerin said.
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“It’s time we move away from reactive, crisis-driven responses and instead adopt a coordinated, long-term approach that recognises the unique strengths and strategic value of our regions.”
Key actions outlined in the statement include co-developing a regional economic strategy with the South Australian Government, investing in diverse and affordable housing and creating new jobs and skills hubs to strengthen local workforces and retain and attract workers.
There’s also a push to boost data-sharing between RDSA, industry and all levels of government to help improve services and planning, as well as a recommendation to support population growth in regional centres with better infrastructure to help ease pressure on Greater Adelaide.
Kerin said better regional policy wasn’t just about benefiting local communities, but about building a stronger South Australia overall.
“When our regions thrive, our entire economy benefits,” Kerin said.
“We’re calling for stronger partnerships with government, business, and community leaders to make that happen—this is not just about regions, it’s about the whole state.”
The statement is just the start of a broader push.
On September 5, RDSA will host a Summit in Adelaide to bring together key stakeholders to look at how to progress the plan’s ideas, turning shared vision into coordinated action.
“We’re extending a clear invitation: join us,” Kerin said. “Let’s work together to create a more balanced, competitive and inclusive South Australia – one where the full potential of our regions is recognised and realised.”
Regional Development South Australia is the peak body representing the state’s eight Regional Development Australia organisations, supporting economic growth, investment, and collaboration across regional SA. For more information, click here.
