Many agribusinesses can be developed in regional centers and near to the capital cities, and, as far
as possible, small- and medium-scale manufacturing enterprises can be located close to supplies of
natural resources. So, great potential exists for many of our basic necessities to be produced locally.
Once Australia becomes self-sufficient in the provision of all its basic necessities, the surplus goods
can be exported.
Globalization started to be developed in the middle of the last century. Prior to that economies were
more locally based. Economic activity needs to be decentralized and made more local again. Ideally,
socio-economic planning should start from the lowest level, where the experience, expertise and
knowledge of the local people can be harnessed for the benefit of all the members of the local
community.
There are many benefits to local socio-economic planning. The area of planning is small enough for
the planners to understand all the problems of the area; local leadership will be able to solve the
problems according to local priorities; planning will be more practical and effective and will give
quick, positive results; local socio-cultural bodies can play an active role in mobilizing human and
material resources; and unemployment can be easily solved. So, a strong local community can
greatly enhance community well-being.
PAM proposes that at its lowest level decentralized socio-economic activity should be administered
by municipal authorities. Local socio-economic planning also should be integrated with planning on
the state, federal and global levels.
