The recent Regions Rising National Summit in Canberra captured just how much regional Australia is powering ahead.
Held at Parliament House on 7–8 October under the theme “Reimagine,” the Regional Australia Institute (RAI) event brought together leaders from government, business, and community to set a practical agenda for the next decade.
Wimmera Southern Mallee Development (WSMD) CEO Chris Sounness, who attended the event, said the summit highlighted regions and people tackling issues including workforce and housing, climate adaptation, competing agriculture land use and empowering local communities to lead their own futures.
“Our own Wimmera Housing Innovations Project (WHIP) featured among six bold projects showcased at the Summit,” he said.
“WHIP presented its community-led model for small towns to build housing through local Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) formed with Progress Associations. The presentation demonstrated how regional communities can take housing delivery into their own hands.”
WHIP’s short presentation highlighted the benefits including:
• Communities remaining in control
• Delivering projects on serviced lots
• Homes meeting a minimum 7-star energy efficiency rating
• Bundling multiple small builds to attract lender and partner confidence
Stage 1 is underway, with 13 homes and 32 bedrooms to be delivered across Murtoa, Minyip, Donald and Apsley, in 2026–27.
“The model showcases how small towns can shape their own destiny by combining local capital with professional back-office support,” Mr Sounness said. “It’s designed to be sustainable, scalable and not dependent on government funding.”
During the event, RAI also launched its “40 for the Regions” campaign, calling for 40% of national decisions, investments, and opportunities to be directed to regional Australia.
“Regional Australia already generates almost 40% of the nation’s GDP, yet many communities continue to face housing shortages, skill gaps, and service inequities,” Mr Sounness said.
The RAI’s Regionalisation Ambition 2032 tracks 25 targets across six pillars — Population, Jobs and Skills, Liveability, Health, Sustainability and Resilience, and Productivity and Innovation.
The campaign sets out three practical commitments:
• Build 40% of the 1.2 million homes under the National Housing Accord in regional communities
• Ensure 40% of seats at national decision-making tables are held by regional Australians
• Direct 40% of new migrant settlements to regional areas
Mr Sounness said Wimmera Southern Mallee Development was proud to back the campaign.
“It’s a practical, achievable way to close the liveability gap and unlock the full potential of regional Australia,” he said.
Held at Parliament House on 7–8 October under the theme “Reimagine,” the Regional Australia Institute (RAI) event brought together leaders from government, business, and community to set a practical agenda for the next decade.
Wimmera Southern Mallee Development (WSMD) CEO Chris Sounness, who attended the event, said the summit highlighted regions and people tackling issues including workforce and housing, climate adaptation, competing agriculture land use and empowering local communities to lead their own futures.
“Our own Wimmera Housing Innovations Project (WHIP) featured among six bold projects showcased at the Summit,” he said.
“WHIP presented its community-led model for small towns to build housing through local Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) formed with Progress Associations. The presentation demonstrated how regional communities can take housing delivery into their own hands.”
WHIP’s short presentation highlighted the benefits including:
• Communities remaining in control
• Delivering projects on serviced lots
• Homes meeting a minimum 7-star energy efficiency rating
• Bundling multiple small builds to attract lender and partner confidence
Stage 1 is underway, with 13 homes and 32 bedrooms to be delivered across Murtoa, Minyip, Donald and Apsley, in 2026–27.
“The model showcases how small towns can shape their own destiny by combining local capital with professional back-office support,” Mr Sounness said. “It’s designed to be sustainable, scalable and not dependent on government funding.”
During the event, RAI also launched its “40 for the Regions” campaign, calling for 40% of national decisions, investments, and opportunities to be directed to regional Australia.
“Regional Australia already generates almost 40% of the nation’s GDP, yet many communities continue to face housing shortages, skill gaps, and service inequities,” Mr Sounness said.
The RAI’s Regionalisation Ambition 2032 tracks 25 targets across six pillars — Population, Jobs and Skills, Liveability, Health, Sustainability and Resilience, and Productivity and Innovation.
The campaign sets out three practical commitments:
• Build 40% of the 1.2 million homes under the National Housing Accord in regional communities
• Ensure 40% of seats at national decision-making tables are held by regional Australians
• Direct 40% of new migrant settlements to regional areas
Mr Sounness said Wimmera Southern Mallee Development was proud to back the campaign.
“It’s a practical, achievable way to close the liveability gap and unlock the full potential of regional Australia,” he said.