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The Australian Capital Territory's economic prospects have been strengthened with its agreement to join Regional Development Australia (RDA), a new joint Commonwealth-State and Territory initiative that taps local expertise to promote growth. Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Northern Australia, Gary Gray, and the ACT Chief Minister and Minister for Business and Economic Development, Jon Stanhope, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to kick off the RDA process in the ACT. Mr Gray said the MoU allows for the appointment of a transitional RDA committee for the ACT. He said RDA committees are being set up throughout the country to tap local knowledge, and to help people living in regional areas learn more about the Commonwealth Government's ongoing funding of local community infrastructure. "The MoU will promote further cooperation between the Commonwealth and ACT governments to promote regional development," he said. "Regional Development Australia committee volunteers - with local experience in business and industry, local government and the wider community - will act as valuable sources of regional advocacy. "While these individuals hold a diversity of views, they will promote regional development in a number of ways, such as by identifying key local issues and by developing regional strategic plans. "The formation of the RDA committees is particularly important during the current global economic downturn when communities are experiencing unemployment and tough times." Mr Stanhope said the new committee builds on the networks and experience of the two governments. While Canberra has the highest concentration of knowledge-based activity in Australia, the city and surrounding areas faced particular developmental challenges, he said. It is expected that an additional 46,350 people will be attracted to the ACT and surrounding shires by the year 2031 - meaning an additional 25,200 dwellings and 27,800 new jobs will be required. "The RDA committees will support community engagement, regional planning, whole-of-government activities, individual government programs and community development," Mr Stanhope said. "This is a great opportunity for ACT residents with relevant local experience to act as a valuable source of regional advocacy and make a real difference to the decision-making process." Mr Gray and Mr Stanhope thanked outgoing members of the ACT's Capital Region Area Consultative Committee and the Capital Regional Development Board for their outstanding contribution to the region. The ACT's transitional RDA committee will remain in place for a year, before both governments invite public expressions of interest for membership in the final RDA ACT committee. Regional Development Australia will: - provide advice to both Governments about regional issues;
- provide strategic input into Australian and ACT Governments programs;
- provide information to regional communities on Australian and ACT government initiatives;
- help to coordinate regional planning and regional development initiatives; and
- establish links and cooperative alliances as appropriate by closely working with other regional development organisations, neighbouring RDA NSW committees and local governments to promote regional development.
Transitional committee members for the RDA ACT committee: - Ross Barrett - Chair
- David Malloch - Deputy Chair
- Christopher Bourke
- Elizabeth Brown
- Marita Corra
- David Gregory
- Diane Hinds
- John Howard
- Faye Powell
Media Contacts
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Alicia Miriklis (
Mr Gray's Office ) |
0428 911 240
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