LOCAL PROJECT LANDS ON NATIONAL STAGE

A major liveability project for the Central Highlands is about to get national exposure.

The Regional Australia Institute (RAI) has chosen CHDC’s Workforce Development and Accommodation Strategy (WDAS) as one of just six projects from across the country to be showcased at Parliament House, Canberra next week (7 October 2025).

They’ll be the centrepiece of RAI’s inaugural Regional Dialogue Day, hailed as a groundbreaking event bringing together regional changemakers and national decision-makers under one roof.

CHDC Regional Development Coordinator Deb Barns and Kate Isles from Infinitum Partners, which partnered with CHDC to develop the WDAS, will deliver the presentation.

Ms Barns says it’s a huge honour.

“Being selected as one of just a handful of projects from across Australia speaks volumes about the quality and innovation of the Strategy,” she says.

“This event gives us a powerful platform to put the Central Highlands on the map and build more high-level support to realise the ambitions of the Strategy.”

Attendees will include Members of Parliament and RAI members, including its Regional Activators Alliance, of which CHDC is a member.

The event will also serve as a networking opportunity and copies of the Strategy and associated documents will be distributed to guests.

“I’m really looking forward to working the room to get the WDAS and the Central Highlands on the radar of every key decision-maker and personally drive home why this project deserves their attention,” Ms Barns says.

The WDAS was selected for the Regional Dialogue Day because of the alignment with RAI’s Regionalisation Pillar of Liveability + Population.

Launched in April last year, the WDAS sets out actions to address housing shortages, childcare access and other barriers in order to make the Central Highlands a more attractive place to live, work and invest.

CHDC recently released a progress report, which demonstrates significant strides in several of the WDAS’ focus areas, particularly housing.

The Strategy and its progress report can be found at chdc.com.au.

The Strategy is led by CHDC in partnership with Infinitum Partners, the Central Highlands Resources Roundtable, Central Highlands Regional Council, and key stakeholders across the agricultural, education, construction and childcare sectors.

The Regional Dialogue Day will take place on the eve of the Regions Rising National Summit, which is RAI’s flagship event that unites regional leaders, policymakers, industry, and community champions to shape the next chapter for regional Australia.