The Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia (SEGRA) conference has attracted participants from across Australia.

During the conference participants will discuss and identify techniques and skills needed to address and achieve successful economic growth and development.

CSU vice chancellor professor Andrew Vann and Bathurst mayor Gary Rush spoke at an official mayoral welcome and cocktail reception on Monday night at the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum.

A number of ‘spotlight sessions’ will engage participants to focus on specific issues during the conference. 

Yesterday, CSU Professor of Economics Kishor Sharma, from the Institute for Land, Water and Society (ILWS), facilitated a discussion on Challenges, Issues and Strategies for Developing Regional Industry.

The session covered pressing regional issues and challenges including skill shortages, migration and local industrial performance.

Professor Sharma also presented the topic Internal Migration Across Regional Australia: The Impact of Industrial Change.

Another session – The Role and Linkages in Employment Growth Across Australia’s Regions – will be presented by ILWS’s and adjunct senior lecturer at CSU Dr Tom Murphy, and economics professor and sub-dean (research) Mark Morrison.

Professor Edward Oczkowski, CSU sub-dean (research students) and professor in applied economics and quantitative methods (ILWS), will then speak on Emerging Trends in Skills Shortages in Regional NSW.

In another spotlight session, ILWS director professor Max Finlayson will facilitate and lead discussions about Regional Production and Conservation Landscapes.

For the full conference program, visit www.segra.com.au.