Leveraging on population mobility to generate local solutions to community needs and issues
Leveraging on population mobility to generate local solutions to community needs and issues Conference Paper
SEGRA - Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia
- Author(s): Joe Ripepi
- Published: 2009
Abstract: Population mobility has produced both positive and negative consequences throughout regional and rural Western Australia. Among such developments, those concerning essential functions and services delivery have demanded innovative responses and strategies, both at the higher policy level and locally in many communities. This is considered necessary both in promoting the continued viability of the communities, coupled with an enhanced capacity to address future challenges. Previous research involving case study rural communities in Western Australia suggests that solutions to problems such as those involving essential functions and services delivery are commonly sought through strategies that revolve around local government and its use of informal relations hips and the voluntary networks operating at a grass roots level. Three of these case study communities are cited in this paper. Recently published Australian Bureau of Statistics data identifies one community as having recorded a population increase while the other two have experienced some decline. This paper draws upon the earlier research findings to explain the potential implications for the roles and responsibilities of the local governments, service groups and voluntary organizations operating within the three case study communities. Changes in the population dynamic of these communities however, also presents invaluable opportunities by which stakeholders can seek to capitalize on local level relationships as a means of addressing essential functions and services delivery issues. In doing so, these communities can generate the social capital needed to create an identity that is not only relevant to their circumstances, but is also adaptable and responsive in the contemporary environment.
- Urls: http://2015.segra.com.au/segra09CD/presentations/JoeRipepi.pdf
- Publisher Location: Kalgoorlie