Strong Regions | Smart Growth
The 2025 RDA Annual Summit brought together leaders, experts, and innovators to explore the challenges and opportunities shaping regional South Australia.
This year’s Summit explored everything from population trends to housing, infrastructure, and workforce development. Speakers highlighted not only the challenges facing our regions, but also the enormous potential they hold.
A recurring theme across the day was both South Australian’s unique spirit of collaboration, and the need to shift thinking to achieve new outcomes. Ultimately, working together and embracing fresh perspectives is key to driving stronger, smarter regional growth.
The Premier spoke about the opportunities for value-added growth in agriculture, South Australia’s economic strength, and the vital role of Regional Development Australia in ensuring regional voices are heard and can help shape policy for the regions.
Regional Development, Forestry – Ministerial Address
Minister Scriven reinforced that regions are both the foundation and the future of the state, highlighting biosecurity, community resilience, and the importance of partnerships. Together, they set a positive tone of opportunity, collaboration, and long-term growth for regional SA.
RDSA Regional Priorities Statement and what it means for regional SA
Accelerating regional growth – shaping the future of South Australia’s economy
Facilitator: Dr Susan Stone
* PANELLISTS *
Diane Dixon – State Innovation Places Lead, Department of the Premier and Cabinet
Sam Crafter PSM – State Lead, Whyalla Steelworks Industrial Transformation
Tori Dixon-Whittle – CEO, Food SA
Ian Spencer – Executive Director Defence and Industry, Defence SA
Building Tomorrow: The Future of Population Growth in Regional SA
Facilitator: Victoria MacKirdy, CEO, City of Victor Harbor, Chair of RDA AHFKI
* PANELLISTS *
Martin Hawson – CEO of the Rural City of Mildura
Sarah Philpott – former CEO City of Mt Gambier
Justin Commons – CEO City of Whyalla
Heather Barclay – CEO, Rural City of Murray Bridge
Taking the Lead – a systematic approach to sustainable regional workforce planning
Cracking the regional housing nut! Understanding the constraints and seizing the opportunities
Anna Butler – Communications & Marketing Officer
Jordana Ashcroft-O’Sullivan – Board Member
Victoria MacKirdy – Chair
Steve Shotton – CEO
Peter Buik – Deputy Chair & Treasurer
Rob Kerin – Regional Development South Australia, Chair
Sandra Mann – Executive Assistant & Project Officer
For more pictures from the day, and to access speaker presentations, visit the RDSA website.