The Rockhampton and Capricorn Coast region has won the right to host the Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia (SEGRA) National Conference in September 2005. Chief Executive of Rockhampton Regional Development, Ms Margaret Goody, said the organisers of SEGRA stated that the region would provide an interesting and stimulating setting to raise issues of value to delegates, as well as profiling broader regional economic development issues.

“The Rockhampton and Capricorn Coast region offers a case study as a microcosm of Australia with the Capricorn Coast part of the fourth fastest growing local government areas in Queensland to Mount Morgan as one of the smallest local government areas with the associated issues of unemployment”, Ms Goody said.

“A partnership was formed between Rockhampton Regional Development, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton and District Regional Organisation of Councils, the Central Queensland Area Consultative Committee, Central Queensland Regional Council and Rydges Resort to bid for the SEGRA Conference”, Ms Goody said.

The SEGRA Conference focuses on relevant issues facing regional Australia and provides high quality keynote addresses by nationally recognised and respected commentators and opinion leaders on these issues. It also provides significant networking opportunities for economic development practitioners and decision makers.

The annual SEGRA Conference attracts approximately 350 regional economic development specialists from throughout Australia and will be held at Rydges Capricorn Resort over September 5-7, 2005.