Supporting the regions

At the 2022 Regions Rising National Summit, we pledged to undertake a collection of new and renewed initiatives including Building a regional electric highway network and undertaking the Rate your roads report.

At the 2023 summit held in September, the NRMA reported back on those initiatives and the huge strides we’ve made with the help of the community to support the regions.

The statewide impact of regional New South Wales

Population and consistent growth

• Regional NSW is already home to more than a third of the NSW population, and is forecast to grow between 250,000 to 500,000 people by 2038.

Essential for education

• 1650 schools, 350 of which are private training organisations.
• 5 major universities and 100 TAFE facilities.

Critical to our economy

• Regional NSW generates around a third of all economic activity in NSW ($150 billion), contributing more than 8% to Australia's gross national product (GDP).
• The agribusiness and food sector contributes more than $17 billion to the state economy, more than double the mining and resources sector, at 8 billion. 
• Supports a diverse regional economy that also includes manufacturing, mining and resources, forestry, defence, tourism and financial services.
• Attracts more than $1 billion in spending, and close to 1 million international visitors each year.

Renewables on the rise

• Regional NSW has a growing renewables sector, supporting; solar, wind, hydro energy, bioenergy, and geothermal energy. 

Our pledges to the regions

We pledge to leverage our Member base and communication channels to represent regional community views to Australian governments on local road conditions and safety following the impacts of heavy rain and floods.

This year the NRMA released our 'Fix our broken roads' report and recommendations, highlighting a $1.9 billion local road infrastructure backlog in NSW alone. To bolster these findings and advocate for change, the NRMA launched their 'Rate Your Road' survey across NSW, calling on members and the community to rate their own local roads. At the close of the ‘Rate Your Road’ survey, 30,000 responses had been received, making the initiative the largest transport survey ever conducted in Australia outside the Census. Following these efforts, commitments exceeding $1.5 billion have been made towards the repair and maintenance of local roads, with the bulk of these funds directed towards regional NSW and Western Sydney.

Learn more about the Rate your Road findings here.

We pledge to have 180+ charging sites installed in regional Australia by 2026 to support our regions as we transition to electric vehicles

The NRMA have continued to grow their regional EV fast charging network, installing 99 chargers and partnering with the Federal Government to deliver a further 117 regional fast charging sites across the national highway network. This investment will help to ensure that regional Australia is not left behind while the nation continues to transition to electric cars. The NRMA have embraced the principles of the Ambition as they expand their EV charging network, engaging and consulting with the communities they work in, particularly working with the local indigenous communities to decorate charger stations in indigenous artwork.

Why are we supporting the regions?

Our regions have been hard hit over the years, not only subjected to harsh conditions but also a sharp decline in tourism from COVID-19 lockdowns 

Regional tourism has been vital to Australia’s economy. According to Australian Regional Tourism (ART), prior to COVID-19, nearly half of Australia’s tourism expenditure occurred in regional Australia, attracting more than $1 billion in spending and one million international visitors each year.

What is the Regions Rising National Summit and why does it matter?

The Regional Australia Institute (RAI) is the nation’s first and only independent regional economic think tank and specialises in developing and communicating the knowledge, policy and practical solutions or Australia's regional communities. 

The Regions Rising National Summit brings together all levels of government, business and the community sector with the aim of uplifting, supporting and future proofing the well being of our nations regions.

Much has been accomplished, but there’s still more work to be done. As it has advocated for regional motorists for the last century, the NRMA will continue to give them a louder voice for all things motoring long into the future.