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SA makes progress against plan

SA makes progress against plan

South Australia has made significant progress towards achieving many of the targets outlined in its Ten Year Strategic Plan, according to the latest progress report released.

Premier Mike Rann said the report shows that of the 98 targets, two-thirds have either been achieved, are on track or are within reach.

“58 targets are showing a positive movement, eight per cent have already been achieved, 37 per cent are on track and 21 per cent are within reach.

“This is an encouraging improvement from the last time the plan was independently audited two years ago, when 55 targets were showing positive movement,” Mr Rann said.

“It’s a testament to the spirit of our state that the South Australian Government, the private sector and the broader community have worked together towards reaching these goals.”

“It’s especially pleasing that despite the global financial crisis and the drought, we’ve all stepped up to the challenge rather than shrinking away and adopting a ‘business as usual’ attitude; an attitude that would never see South Australia prosper.”

“The Plan was always intended as a ‘goad to action’ and the progress report by the Independent Audit Committee also shows us where we need to redouble our efforts, to meet the targets.

“For instance, the Progress Report shows we need to do more on affordable housing, education, including science and maths and some health issues including obesity and chronic disease.

“We have programs aimed at addressing many of these targets, but clearly there’s more work to be done.

“Many of the targets are unashamedly tough, because the Plan’s aim has always been to inspire and stretch South Australians to strive for better results.

“South Australia’s Strategic Plan was introduced in 2004 and progress against the plan has been reviewed every two years by an independent audit committee.

“I am pleased to announce today that the Plan recently won the international Community Indicators Consortium award for Community Indicators-Performance Measures Integration.

“This award recognises South Australia’s Strategic Plan, and the work of the Community Engagement Board and the independent Audit Committee in creating and updating the plan to drive change.”

Chair of the South Australia’s Strategic Plan Audit Committee Bill Cossey said since the plan was last updated, a number of targets have been adopted nationally as part of the Council of Australian Governments’ agreements.

“Therefore, the committee has recommended that some targets be strengthened so they’re at least as rigorous as the ones accepted by COAG,” Mr Cossey said.

“It’s essential to fine-tune targets to ensure the plan continues to reflect the community’s current values and concerns.

“Whilst it’s important to acknowledge the progress that’s been made, it’s just as crucial to identify the challenges that remain and where more work is needed which is precisely what we’ve done.”

The committee is comprised of one member from each of five key advisory boards:

• Mr Bill Cossey AM (Chair), Social Inclusion Board
• Ms Janet Giles, Premier’s Council for Women
• Dr Ian Chessell, Premier’s Science and Research Council
• Dr Leanna Read, Economic Development Board
• Dr Suzanne Miller, Premier’s Climate Change Council.

The next step is for South Australians to share their vision for the state in 2020 as part of the process to update the Plan.

Premier Mike Rann launched the engagement process on behalf of the Community Engagement Board and invited all South Australians to have their say.

“We want to know what our citizens want for the future of this state, for themselves, their families and friends, their neighbourhood and their children,” said Mr Rann.

“This is not just about the issues confronting us today or tomorrow. It’s about looking to 2020 and beyond, and working towards a healthy, green, creative, smart, inclusive and successful South Australia.”

“To make sure everybody has an opportunity to share their opinion, a broad community consultation process - including a number of face-to-face sessions held across regional and metropolitan South Australia - will occur over the coming months, involving 10,000 people.”

Chair of the Community Engagement Board Peter Blacker says this is the second time the plan will be updated to better reflect the thoughts of citizens.

“It’s so important that this plan be a clear representation of what South Australians want for their state and that’s why we’ve provided a number of options to ensure everyone can get involved no matter where they live,” said Mr Blacker.

“As well as face-to-face consultation sessions, people can leave a comment on our website or Twitter page, call, email, write to us or post a video of their idea on YouTube.”

“This is not just about government setting a vision; this is about ALL South Australians contributing to the process. A great example of this is our Alliance Partners which have formally linked their own plans to the targets in South Australia’s Strategic Plan so they can help achieve these shared goals.”

PROGRESS REPORT

The progress report outlines the state’s progress across the plan’s 98 targets grouped under six objectives and some notable achievements include:

1. Growing Prosperity:

•  South Australia’s economic growth and labour productivity have outstripped national growth rates and unemployment has fallen

• growth in the defence and mining industries is reflected in the ratings for these targets

• we have maintained our AAA credit rating

• South Australia’s population target will be reached ahead of the target date.

2. Improving Wellbeing:

• the crime rate has continued to decline since the target was achieved in 2008

• there has been a significant improvement in work safety, with the target of 40 per cent reduction in injury rated on track to be reached by 2012

• progress in reducing smoking rates and increasing healthy life expectancy, including for Aboriginal South Australians, has continued.

3. Attaining Sustainability:

• land and marine biodiversity targets have been achieved with the creation of marine parks and biodiversity corridors

• an increase in renewable energy production means we are on track to achieve a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and more energy efficient government buildings

• public transport use has continued to increase.

4. Fostering Creativity and Innovation:

• there has been continued growth in the number of feature films produced in South Australia, and in the number of people attending arts activities and cultural institutions

• broadband usage has improved, particularly in relation to the national rate

• expenditure on research and development by both business and government has grown.

5. Building Communities:

• volunteering rates have been maintained and the rate of young people enrolling to vote has increased

• the state’s regional population has continued to grow although at a slower rate than metropolitan Adelaide

• there has been growth in the number of women and Aboriginal people in leadership positions.

6. Expanding Opportunity:

• there have been improvements in elements of Aboriginal wellbeing

• the proportion of young people completing the South Australian Certificate of Education or equivalent has increased

• there has been positive movement and we are on track to meet the target to double the number of people with disabilities appropriately housed and supported by 2014.