Regional Development Australia Yorke and Mid North has launched a new podcast series, Regional Futures, exploring the opportunities and challenges shaping regional South Australia in the Yorke Peninsula and Mid North.
Hosted by Annabelle Homer, the series tackles four issues at the heart of regional growth: housing, water, childcare and economic diversification. Each episode takes listeners on the ground to hear from the people dealing with these issues every day, from mayors and developers to childcare directors, police and business owners.
RDA Yorke and Mid North Chair Ali Paulett said the podcast reflects the organisation’s core purpose.
“RDA Yorke and Mid North exists to create opportunities and help our region thrive. Every one of these episodes deals with something that is either holding our communities back, or has the potential to move them forward, and we want to bring those conversations into the open,” Ms Paulett said.
“We know families want to move here, businesses want to invest here and there is land ready to develop. What stands in the way is often housing supply, water infrastructure or access to childcare. These are practical problems with practical solutions, and the podcast lets people hear directly from those working on them.”
The first episode, A Place to Call Home, examines why homes are not being built in the Yorke and Mid North despite clear demand, with insights from Stadium Real Estate Principal Rachel Lawrie, Renewal SA’s Office for Regional Housing Manager Andrew Christiansen and SA Police Superintendent Mark Syrus.
Later episodes look at how ageing water infrastructure is stalling development, why some regional towns have become childcare deserts, and how businesses can reduce their reliance on a single industry or employer. Guests include Copper Coast Council Mayor Roslyn Talbot, Northern Areas Council CEO Ross McNeil, Crystal Brook Childcare Working Group Chair Michaela Magor and Kadina Child Care Centre Director Caren Hammerstein.
Ms Paulett, who also features in the final episode on diversification, said the format suits regional storytelling.
“Regional stories are best told by regional voices. A podcast gives people the space to explain the issue properly, share what they have learned and talk about what collaboration between councils, industry, government and RDA can actually deliver. We hope listeners come away with a clearer picture of the region and a few ideas of their own.”
Host Annabelle Homer is the founder of Voice It, a communications business specialising in voice training, podcasting and storytelling, and brings more than a decade of media experience to the series.
Click here to listen to Regional Futures podcast.