Partnership Groups and Program Management determine strategic direction at the state and regional levels. The SRD Program's strategic direction at a State level is recorded in a draft Sustainable Rural Development Strategic Plan . Both documents provide a large amount of information and should be consulted for a detailed account of the influences and subsequent strategic directions for the state and region. A summary of the key features of these documents is included below. This document has been developed by the South West Regional Partnership Group in conjunction with South West SRD Program staff and reflects the regional priorities of the Program.
Regional centres continue to grow stronger as services are provided on a regional basis.
On the Coastal Plain small towns grow because of their lifestyle appeal. Inland some small towns go against the trend of continuing decline as a result of their initiative and special characteristics. Industry, including intensive agriculture such as abattoirs and cattle feedlots, is sited in enclaves, buffered by agricultural uses from residential areas. Greater levels of education, business management skills exist among landowners who develop strong support networks around innovative and new industries. Ownership becomes more diverse - joint ventures between agricultural producers become more common, with leasing of parts of existing properties.