Regional Services

Mr FULBROOK (Playford) (15:27): My question is to the Minister for Human Services, Seniors and Ageing Well. Can the minister explain the importance of investing in our regional and remote communities like Peterborough?

The Hon. N.F. COOK (Hurtle Vale—Minister for Human Services, Minister for Seniors and Ageing Well) (15:27): Thank you to the member for Playford for the question. I think visiting regional and rural communities is essential, particularly to get the views and the stories from people obviously on the ground. This government have made it a really high priority to get out and visit as many of those communities as we can. I have really enjoyed speaking to people in local communities, often being accompanied by local members in those regions as well.

Areas like Peterborough often face unique challenges that really can't be addressed through remote assistance or centralised planning. Getting those stories is vital in order for us to get service delivery right, especially now given the significant and serious challenges being faced by local communities in our very, very dry conditions that we are experiencing.

There is the reality of limited access for regional areas. Rural people are more likely to experience barriers to health care, mental health supports, housing assistance and other social services. Whether this is due to distance, difficulties with transport or fewer local providers, the services that metro populations often take for granted can be much harder to come by when you are in the regions. By showing up physically, we can help in some small way to at least bridge that gap, with a face-to-face visit meaning the difference between someone slipping through cracks and someone finally getting the help they need, or indeed a community.

It is not just about access, it is also about understanding by walking the streets of the small towns and sitting at a street party, such as the Premier and the team hosted a couple weeks ago in Peterborough, sitting around having a barbecue and a chat. It is great to be able to get those stories and hear things from the town's perspective. You can hear firsthand what is actually working and what is not; what is desperately needed and what isn't there on the ground. That kind of insight can be captured face to face, but not in a survey or a phone call. It takes presence and real connection.

The visits also help to build trust. In close-knit communities, we know that those relationships are vital, so to insert yourself into those conversations I think matters. While we were in Peterborough, I felt like we were able to sit with people in the town and really hear some of their personal stories and help to engage and try to work towards some long-term solutions.

I want to also make sure, as rural and regional representatives of course know, that we don't forget the incredible resilience and innovation that is already happening in those areas. Communities often have really creative grassroots solutions to local issues, and by visiting we can learn from them, collaborate and strengthen those efforts. When our cabinet recently visited Peterborough, we connected with many of the local organisations such as Rotary, the Lions Club and Uniting Country SA. The Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation was up there providing support and services.

I know that nearly two-fifths of our community centres in rural and remote regions receive funding under our Community and Neighbourhood Development program. For years, areas have not been serviced, and our department is now working hard to get some local community centre funding procured and get that on the ground and get that coverage. Also, at Grants SA we have been working really hard to tailor those more effectively in regions. Nearly half of all of our grants go to regional and remote communities. Thank you to the country areas for advocating so strongly, especially through country cabinet.