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The Australian and Northern Territory Governments have today announced that the Mayor of Alice Springs Damien Ryan will be the Chair of the Territory's new consultative body, Regional Development Australia (RDA). Darwin City Council Alderman Kerry Moir has been appointed Deputy Chair. Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Maxine McKew, and Northern Territory Minister for Regional Development Karl Hampton made the announcement in Darwin this morning, warmly congratulating both appointees. "I look forward to working with Damien and Kerry on advancing the regional development issues close to Territorians," said Ms McKew. "RDA NT will be a one-stop shop across all levels of government to promote regional initiatives in partnership with regional communities." Minister Hampton said the RDA NT committee would build on an established strong relationship with the Commonwealth. "RDA NT will see the Commonwealth, Territory and local governments working even more closely to ensure that regional projects respond to local needs." "This will achieve the best possible results for our growing region." The announcement follows last month's signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on RDA NT by Ms McKew and Minister Hampton. The new RDA network across Australia will build on and replace the Commonwealth Government's Area Consultative Committees (ACC) by aligning with State and Territory regional planning and consultative bodies. Both the Parliamentary Secretary and the Minister again thanked those who have served on the NT's single ACC over the years for their contribution to regional development. When finalised the new RDA NT committee will follow on its predecessors' work in several priority areas: supporting business and economic development through Indigenous business, employment and training; and supporting communities through social inclusion initiatives. "The Rudd Government is listening to regional communities," said Ms McKew "Our $1 billion Community Infrastructure Program is delivering improved infrastructure in every local government area across the country, at the same time as supporting jobs and stimulating the economy." "We expanded the program last month for even more stimulus which includes immediate funding of another $1.2 million direct to the NT's local councils." For more information and up to date news on RDA please go to www.rda.gov.au
Media Contacts
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Matt Pulford (
McKew's Office ) |
0434 655 781
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Natasha Fyles (
Hampton's Office ) |
0448 866 312
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The Role of Regional Development Australia: To: - provide advice to both Governments about regional issues;
- provide strategic input into Australian and NT government programs;
- provide information to regional communities on National and NT 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 committees and local governments to promote regional development.
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