Regional Economic Development

All mines are finite resources and will eventually close. Over the next 25 years, it is estimated that about half of Australia’s active mines will transition to the end of their operational life.

While new mines may be developed to replace completed operations, even planned closures can create significant economic and social impacts. This is especially so for regional and remote communities, including First Nations communities, where mining is the predominant economic activity.

The Regional Economic Development research program recognises that mines and associated infrastructure are significant regional assets. It aims to understand the potential for repurposing and reuse, identify actions regional and First Nations communities can take to build long-term economic resilience and understand regulatory barriers to next land use.

Objectives

Assess the different policy and regulatory frameworks within and between different jurisdictions to identify obstacles to successful mine closure and transition to a viable next land use
Understand how community values influence post-land use options, particularly across regions
Develop sophisticated and nuanced community-level decision systems, incorporating modelling of interrelationships and trade-offs
Apply predictive modelling and scenario analytical techniques to enable informed decision-making