A Tamworth regional university and research centre
Recognizing the strategic importance of the Tamworth region on NSW's and Australia's economic prosperity, capacity building infrastructure investments like a University must be priority action agendas.
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The entire regional community needs to be on the front foot and be actively putting forward the case for a University that best meets all our future needs and aspirations.
We must invest in human capital. Investments in tertiary educational attainment and productive skills in our workforce. It is only with a highly educated workforce that we will be able to seize the opportunities of technological change and meet head on the many challenges that will come way.
We need a University with a vision for research agendas, a vision for new high technology industries that focus on our regional strengths, and a vision that understands the challenges and opportunities facing regional Australia.
Such a University will stem the drain of talent to the capital cities, build our destiny as a high performing region, create the building blocks to be a national Agri business hub and major global provider of high-quality produce.
We must encourage and incentivise technology and biotechnology businesses into two specific innovation and technology precincts where the University will act as an anchor driver:
1. Medical and health care; and
2. Food production and food science.
The medical and health care precinct would capitalize and expand on existing strengths and partnerships including Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital.
Integrated critical care and allied health services needs to be a focus to address the health workforce shortages in rural and regional Australia.
The food production and food science precinct would be agglomerations of entrepreneurs, employment, capital and innovation. It must be forward thinking and have a major focus on the agribusiness research agenda including: improving agricultural productivity and sustainability; capability into poultry nutrition and production; sheep/cattle genetic and nutrition; food production systems and food transport and logistics management; biosecurity; plant genetics; soil regeneration; managing impacts of climate change on water management and farming systems.
Achieve this and we take a quantum leap forward in securing long term regional economic and social prosperity.
Glenn Inglis, Tamworth
Government inaction
In my opinion the complete inaction of this Government to offer any realistic assistance to all communities who are affected by drought and fires at the moment is absolutely appalling.
If it were not for True Blue Aussies stepping up to the plate to assist they would be absolutely on their knees.
I am aware that most probably already still are but at least they know that some of us are trying to help and care.
People have a long memory and this will not be forgotten when next we are required to vote believe me WE THE PEOPLE WILL HAVE OUR SAY even though we are being ignored at the moment.
Joy Pym, Yinnar South