This report highlights the varying roles and levels of engagement that councils play in regards to leadership, organisation and delivery of local and regional economic development in Australia.

Innovation is the highest in regional centres that have research and development institutions and there are only 26 of these in regional Australia. But more than 150 regional areas have potential to match this innovation, a new index finds.

Focusing on the Australian capital region, this report argues that there is an opportunity now for regional planning that can integrate climate change adaptation, population growth, housing and infrastructure demand, services, and biodiversity conservation.

The potential for significant increases in irrigated agriculture in northern Australia is highly dependent on how water resources are managed now developed and into the future.

The Australian Government is inviting proposals for faster rail links between cities and surrounding regional areas.