RDA  ACT is part of the national network of 55 RDA Committees.  The RDA ACT Committee is made up of Members who have been drawn from our local region - community leaders with expertise, passion and strong local networks.  Members are working to strengthen ACT communities by providing a 'regional voice' to all levels of government, and by being a conduit for information between governments and communities/communities and governments, identifying needs that have been prioritised by the local communities and helping to implement local solutions.

RDA ACT was officially incorporated on 28 September 2009, the culmination of a long process of transition from its predecessor - the Capital Region Area Consultative Committee (CR-ACC).  The RDA network builds on the work of the ACCs, but operates with a broader, more strategic focus. 

• RDA ACT works across all levels of government - is funded by the Commonwealth and ACT governments to form links between the governments, stakeholders and communities of the ACT and capital region;
• RDA ACT forms networks with key regional stakeholders to gain an overview of regional issues so Members can provide strategic policy level advice to governments; and
• RDA ACT is seeking input from key regional stakeholders that will contribute to the regional ACT Regional Plan 2009-10 - a living document, due (requested by Commonwealth and ACT governments) in the first instance by end June 2010.

RDA ACT has the additional challenge of operating in a city-state environment - applying regional development in an urban environment.   RDA ACT is working closely with other RDAs,  particularly RDA Southern Inland which covers the surrounding Capital Region, to identify and progress cross border issues and to work cooperatively to develop a regional perspective that will be incorporated into the regional ACT Regional Plan 2009-10.

Objects

RDA ACT has been established with the following objects, to:

• provide advice to the Australian and ACT governments about regional issues;
• provide strategic input into Australian and ACT government programs;
• provide information to regional communities on Commonwealth and ACT government initiatives;
• help to coordinate regional planning and regional development initiatives; and
• establish links and cooperative alliances by working closely with other regional development organisations and neighbouring NSW RDA committees and local governments to promote regional development

Focus areas and Priorities

In the interests of determining the initial work of the Committee, focus areas have been identified as:

• Business - innovation
• Education - skills, training, research
• Environment - energy, water, climate change
• Health - ageing
• Regional Development - communities, local government
• Social Inclusion - housing, not-for-profit organisations
• Tourism - arts, culture, heritage, sport and recreation
• Transport/Infrastructure - telecommunications

It is expected that an increasing number of focus areas can be addressed progressively as the developmental projects are put in place and outcomes accomplished.

Members identified three priority areas for immediate actionfrom within these focus areas:

• Education
• Environment
• Transport

and a Sub-Committee has been formed to address each of these priority areas.

Databases of key regional stakeholders and of existing regional plans and reports are currently being compiled for each of these focus areas as a first step to being able to add value.  Reports will be made to governments on local priorities, gaps and solutions in each of these areas, and will form the basis of the strategic Regional Plan.

A regional context

RDA ACT will work to identify and present a holistic view of the Capital Region.  It is a priority of RDA ACT to develop a sense of a seamless border between the ACT and its surrounding region, and to offer a unique and holistic regional perspective.  It will play a role in eliminating cross-border differences that cause frustration and destroy efficiencies.

Other RDAs
This will entail close liaison with other regional bodies, particularly Regional Development Australia Southern Inland (SI), which services the 14 Local Government Areas surrounding the ACT.

RDA ACT has formally approached RDA SI and RDA Far South Coast (FSC) with a proposal to establish a Liaison Group between the three organisations, and potentially to additionally organise a RDA - Regional Leaders' Project Group.

Regional Leaders' Forum
The Regional Leaders' Forum (RLF) provides an opportunity for the ACT and NSW governments to work together to achieve common goals for the benefit of the region.  Attending the bi-annual RLF meetings are the ACT Chief Minister, the NSW Minister for Regional Development, the Mayors and General Managers of 17 Local Government Areas in the Capital Region, plus NSW and Federal MPs who have electorates in the Capital Region.

Suggestions on RDA ACT having involvement in the Regional Leaders' Forum have been conveyed to the ACT Chief Minister with the prospect of enhanced RDA ACT participation to be discussed at the next meeting being held in June 2010.

Regional Organisation of Coucils
A South Eastern Regional Organisation of Councils (ROC) is currently being formed between the Councils representing 14 of the Local Government Areas of the Capital Region, to be administered by RDA Southern Inland.

The new South Eastern ROC will both provide an opportunity for local councils to co-ordinate their activities to take advantage of economies of scale by, for example, sharing equipment and staff training programs.  It is also expected that the ROC will provide Councils with a more powerful lobbying 'regional voice'.

Regional Stakeholders
There are a multitude of regional stakeholders already operating within the ACT and surrounding Capital Region in a broad range of spheres.  RDA ACT is currently developing links with these organisations with a view to working collaboratively to identify local priorities, gaps and solutions.  The co-operation of stakeholders is vital for the success of the region.  Working together will encourage partnerships that can present an holistic regional perspective to governments and provide advice and collaborative strategies for the region's advancement that combine the expertise and experience of all.