Regional Capitals Australia

Home
Australia
Wagga Wagga, NSW
Regional Capitals Australia

Regional Capitals Australia (RCA) is an alliance of regional city local government associations (LGA

We represent the interests of the community members in our municipalities as well as those in the wider regional areas we belong to.

11/06/2026

The Albury Entertainment Centre Convention Wing redevelopment has officially broken ground, marking an important investment in regional events, tourism and economic development.

Projects like this help regional capitals attract conferences, support local businesses, create jobs and strengthen their role as vibrant centres for surrounding communities.

Regional Capitals Australia welcomes continued investment in the infrastructure that supports strong, connected and growing regional capitals.
Read more: https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/mcbain/media-release/albury-entertainment-centre-convention-wing-redevelopment-breaks-ground

Kristy McBain MP
Senator Deborah O'Neill

Photo (L-R) Albury MP Justin Clancy MP , NSW Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty MLC, Albury Mayor Kevin Mack and Farrer MP David Farley for Farrer - One Nation

10/06/2026

The Albury Airport taxiway extension is now open, delivering an important boost for regional aviation, connectivity and local economic growth.

Regional Capitals Australia welcomes investment in infrastructure that supports regional airports, strengthens access for communities and businesses, and helps regional capitals continue to grow as key economic hubs.

We have been advocating for more investment into regional airports, which are important community assets that connect regions to health, education, jobs and family and friends.

Read more: https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/mcbain/media-release/albury-airport-taxiway-extension-now-open

Kristy McBain MP
Kevin Mack
Senator Michelle Ananda-Rajah
Senator Deborah O'Neill

28/05/2026

A major milestone has been reached for Northern Australia, with Karratha Airport officially designated a Restricted Use International Airport and an Alternate International Airport.

This important step positions Karratha to establish future international connectivity, unlocking new economic opportunities, strengthening global access, and supporting long-term regional growth.

The City of Karratha will now progress to the next phase of the project, working alongside airline partners and the Australian Government to establish Border Force and biosecurity facilities required to support international operations.

Regional Capitals Australia congratulates the City of Karratha on this achievement and recognises the years of advocacy and strategic vision that have helped position Karratha as a key regional gateway for Northern Australia.

Daniel Scott - Mayor City of Karratha

26/05/2026

A warm welcome to Andrew Wilsmore, the new permanent General Manager of Dubbo Regional Council, who officially commenced in the role on Monday.

Regional Capitals Australia looks forward to working with Andrew and the Dubbo Regional Council team to continue advocating for strong regional communities, sustainable growth, and investment in our regional capitals.

Congratulations Andrew, and best wishes in your new role.

Picture courtesy Mayor Josh Black - Dubbo Regional Council Black: Mr Andrew Wilsmore pictured with Mayor of Dubbo Regional Council Cr Josh Black

25/05/2026

Regional Capitals Australia welcomes today’s announcement of $4.8 million in relief funding through the Regional and Remote Airport Support Program for regional and remote airports affected by the Rex Airlines administration. ✈️

Support has been provided to several RCA member cities, including:
📍 Dubbo Regional Council – $598,672
📍 City of Wagga Wagga – $187,885
📍 AlburyCity – $154,803
📍 Griffith City Council – $153,411
📍 Broken Hill City Council – $134,863
📍 City of Port Lincoln Council – $13,817
📍 Armidale Regional Council – $406

Thank you to Minister Catherine King MP, Minister Kristy McBain MP and the Albanese Government for backing regional aviation and helping keep regional communities connected.

Read more:
https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/c-king/media-release/australian-government-delivering-48-million-relief-regional-and-remote-airports

18/05/2026

Regional Capitals Australia welcomes Dale Stewart to his new role as Chief Executive Officer of the Town of Port Hedland 👏

It’s great to see Dale already out in the community, connecting with residents, stakeholders and local partners during his first week in the role.

Regional capitals play a critical role in driving economic growth, supporting communities and shaping the future of regional Australia and strong local leadership is central to that success.

We look forward to working with Dale and the Town of Port Hedland as we continue advocating for thriving, resilient and connected regional capitals across the country.

Town of Port Hedland

12/05/2026

Regional Capitals Australia (RCA) has welcomed key investments in housing supply, community infrastructure and cost-of-living relief in this year’s Federal Budget.

However, RCA remains concerned about the lack of investment in regional aviation, water security and long-term freight connectivity infrastructure.

“Regional Australia needs long-term investment in the infrastructure that moves goods, strengthens supply chains and supports national productivity,” Mayor Josh Black - Dubbo Regional Council - RCA Chair said.

Regional capitals are ready to deliver more housing, support major projects and strengthen Australia’s economy, but continued investment in enabling infrastructure remains critical.

06/05/2026

No water, no housing growth.

In the Fraser Coast Regional Council, major upgrades are underway across the Teddington, Burgowan and Howard Water Treatment Plants to keep pace with population growth and deliver safe, reliable drinking water.

The Council has also sought funding for the Fraser Coast Water Grid, critical infrastructure designed to strengthen supply between Maryborough and Hervey Bay which will unlock a significant growth area for new homes.

But despite the scale of need, communities like Fraser Coast are still relying on fragmented state funding programs, with no direct pathway to National Water Grid investment.

Regional capitals are not short of projects.

They are short of a system that connects local demand with national investment.

The Australian Productivity Commission’s National Water Reform inquiry is an opportunity to fix that.

Regional Capitals Australia (RCA) is calling for a clear mechanism that gives local governments direct access to National Water Grid funding, so regional communities can deliver the water infrastructure needed for housing, growth and liveability.

More details about RCA’s water policies can be found here.
https://www.regionalcapitalsaustralia.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3589-RCA-Pre-Budget-Submission-2026-27-Email.pdf

Murray Watt - Senator for Queensland
George Seymour - Fraser Coast

05/05/2026

You can’t build the future on an insecure water supply.

In Armidale Regional Council essential Renewable Energy Zone works are being held back because the city’s ageing, single-source water system is already under strain. Its main supply, Malpas Dam, can meet only around 60% of daily demand.

This is the challenge facing too many regional capitals.

Regional capitals are being asked to deliver national priorities, renewable energy, housing, jobs and population growth, without the water security needed to support them.

At the same time, councils are managing growing pressure from climate volatility, ageing infrastructure and rising demand, with no direct pathway to national water infrastructure funding.

That needs to change.

Regional Capitals Australia (RCA) is calling for a clear mechanism that gives local governments direct access to the National Water Grid, so regional communities can deliver the infrastructure Australia needs.

More details about RCA’s water policies can be found here.
https://www.regionalcapitalsaustralia.org/reports-submissions/

Murray Watt - Senator for Queensland

Mayor Sam Coupland - Armidale Regional Council

29/04/2026

Water security is economic security.

Regional Capitals Australia has welcomed the Australian Productivity Commission’s inquiry into National Water Reform, a critical opportunity to fix a system that is holding regional communities back.

Across regional capitals, the pressure is already real:

44% are experiencing significant water shortages annually.
77% say water infrastructure is their top priority.
55% need upgrades now.

Yet local governments still have no clear pathway to directly access funding from the Australian Government to get our water projects moving.

Regional communities are being asked to deliver on national priorities
- Housing;
- Food security;
- Renewable energy;
- Defence; and
- Population growth
without the water infrastructure needed to make it possible.

That needs to change.

RCA is calling for:
- Direct local government access to National Water Grid funding
- A transparent national pipeline of regional water projects
- Water to be recognised as critical enabling infrastructure for housing, industry and the energy transition.

Because without secure water, there is no improving productivity in this country.

Read more about RCA’s water priorities here:
https://www.regionalcapitalsaustralia.org/reports-submissions/

Mayor Josh Black - Dubbo Regional Council
Dubbo Regional Council

Address

53 Tompson Street
Wagga Wagga, NSW
2650

Website

http://www.regionalcapitalsaustralia.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Regional Capitals Australia posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Regional Capitals Australia:

Shortcuts

Want your organization to be the top-listed Government Service in Wagga Wagga?