Rural Development in Australia

Rural areas in Australia and America have a few fundamental differences when it comes to economic development, but they also have a lot of similarities. One primary factor the two countries must focus on is economic development on a regional basis and not just growth in individual communities.

Dr. Paul Collits, Manager of Regional Policy with the New South Wales Department of State and Regional Development for New South Wales, Australia addressed the 2004 Nebraska Rural Institute sponsored by the Partnership for Rural America.

Collits told the group the loss of young people is a major economic development in Australia as well as the United States.

But, he said, he is impressed with the attitude rural Americans have regarding the retention of young people in small communities. "I've been heartened by statements that we have to let them go off and go to college, but we have to try to do whatever we can to get them back." Dr. Collits said that in both Australia and America, the perception that the young people who choose to stay in a rural community are the losers needs to change.

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