Role of the RDA

The RDA network is being established throughout Australia to provide a strategic framework for economic growth in each region. There are five key functions that underpin the role of the national network of RDA committees:

Advice, consultation and community engagement:

  • Consult with regional stakeholders on needs and priorities;
  • Two-way conduit for information and advice between communities and government;
  • Engage with all levels of government, regional stakeholders and communities in developing solutions to regional needs and priorities.

Contribute to regional planning:

  • Develop strategic regional plans (in collaboration with Australian, State/Territory and local governments);
  • Annual reporting against milestones/performance indicators;
  • Annual analysis against areas of Australian Government policy.

Whole of government activities:

  • First point of contact for Australian Government agency consultations;
  • A first point of contact for communities for information about Australian Government services and programs;
  • Contribute to other national agendas from a regional perspective (e.g. from time to time this may include infrastructure, transport, social inclusion, climate change, and so on );
  • Administer third party contracts for other agencies as appropriate.

Promotion of Government programs:

  • Provide information to regional stakeholders about Australian Government programs;
  • Identify potential government programs to support regional projects and initiatives;
  • Provide advice and assistance with accessing funding from existing programs towards regional projects;

Community development:

  • Act as an advocate for the region;
  • Build networks and develop leadership within the region;
  • Brokering solutions that address regional issues and barriers to development;
  • Helping to broker partnerships which will address the needs and aspirations of regional communities.
  • The network will ensure that input is provided to the Australian, State and Local Governments on regional development issues and priorities; promote regions to secure sustainable long term jobs; promote investment and regional prosperity; and raise awareness of programs and services available to regional communities.
  • The network will also play a key role in ensuring that advice about key issues in the regions is provided to all levels of government.

RDA (WA) network

In Western Australia the RDA (WA) network will comprise eight regional RDA Committees and an RDA Advisory Board for metropolitan Perth. The eight regional RDA (WA) Committees will be non-profit community-based incorporated associations and their regions will be based on the Western Australian Regional Development Commission regions as follows:

  • Goldfields Esperance
  • Great Southern WA
  • Kimberley
  • Mid West Gascoyne
  • Peel
  • Pilbara
  • South West
  • Wheatbelt

A map of the RDA (WA) Committee boundaries may be viewed at http://www.rda.gov.au/resources/maps.aspx.

RDA Chairs and members will be expected to contribute their time and energy and have a personal commitment to working in partnership with government for the benefit of their local and regional communities. Each RDA Committee will receive annual operational funding from the Australian

Government. RDA Committees will use this funding for approved committee projects, to employ staff, undertake administrative operations, and to implement the RDA charter.

For further information on Regional Development Australia in WA please refer to

www.rda.gov.au