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The new consultative body Regional Development Australia is looking for regional South Australians who are passionate about their community to help shape the future of their area. Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development, Maxine McKew, SA Minister for Regional Development, Paul Caica, and the President of the SA Local Government Association Felicity-ann Lewis have called for nominations for the RDA network of boards. Advertisements seeking expressions of interest for RDA SA board members are being published in metropolitan and regional newspapers in South Australia this week. This follows the signing in Adelaide last month of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Commonwealth, the South Australian Government and the Local Government Association. Ms McKew urged suitably-qualified members of the community to apply. "If you want to get involved in nation-building for your region, then we want to see your application," said Ms McKew. Mr Caica said the RDA network of boards would bring about a new era of Commonwealth, State and Local Government cooperation in regional development. "We believe Regional Development Australia will significantly improve co-operation across all levels of government for the benefit of the regions," he said. "It will do this by better aligning our efforts and resources to deliver programs and services to local communities. "What we need on the new RDA Boards is local people with leadership, vision and the ability to work together in the interests of their region. And I strongly encourage regional South Australians with such qualities and drive to step forward and nominate for the RDA Board in their region." The President of the Local Government Association, Mayor Felicity-ann Lewis said "This is a great opportunity to align State, Local and Federal policy for local communities through RDA boards, and I encourage people with background and experience in Local Government to nominate for the Local Government positions on the Board." Ms McKew said that for the Rudd Government it is about getting the best local advice in a co-ordinated way. "We are listening to regional communities, making the largest investment in community infrastructure in the nation's history through our National-Building Economic Stimulus Plan." "The RDA boards will provide an on-the-ground voice both from and to their regions and advise both governments of their communities' priorities." Seven regional RDAs and an RDA Adelaide advisory committee are being created to align with South Australia's Government Regions. They will carry on the work of the previous Area Consultative Committees (ACCs) and Regional Development Boards. For more information on applying for RDA SA please visit the RDA website at www.rda.gov.au.
Media Contacts
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Matt Pulford (
McKew's Office ) |
0434 655 781
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Loine Sweeney (
Caica's Office ) |
0407 395 467
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Mary Ann Stenberg (
Lewis's Office ) |
0428 860 284
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The Role of Regional Development Australia RDA is an Australian Government initiative that brings together all levels of government to enhance the growth and development of regional Australia. RDA will: - Provide advice to governments about local regional issues;
- Provide strategic input into Australian and South Australian government programs;
- Provide information to regional communities on Australian and South Australian 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 RDAs and local governments to promote regional development.
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