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Strengthening Regional Development on the Mid North Coast.

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The appointment of six new members to Regional Development Australia Mid North Coast Board has been jointly announced by Regional Australia Minister, Simon Crean and NSW Deputy Premier, Andrew Stoner.

Taree solicitor Tony Marshall has been appointed the new chair of Regional Development Australia Mid North Coast replacing Elizabeth McGregor who stepped down to concentrate on her role as Institute Director for the North Coast TAFE. Mr Marshall is a partner with Paton Hooke and a recent chair of the Manning Valley Economic Development Board.

There are also five more new members on the committee:

  • Andrea Caldwell, a marketing specialist from Coffs Harbour
  • Jacquie Houlden, a director of Janison the online learning management system, from Coffs Harbour
  • Tony Rothacker, business development manager at Vertel a wireless network provider, from Coffs Harbour
  • Jo-Anne Stavely, Leader of Business Capability at North Coast TAFE, from Port Macquarie, and
  • Dawn Thornton, organic primary producer from Bowraville.

Members reappointed to the committee include:

  • Stewart Dowrick, Chief Executive of the Mid North Coast Local Health District
  • Jim Hutcheon, the state organiser for the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union on the MNC
  • Richard O’Leary, the Chief Executive Officer of Macleay Regional Cooperative

 
The new and/or members reappointed will join existing appointees:

  • Jan Strom, the Executive Officer of the Australian Universities Community Engagement Alliance and
  • Richard Wilson, retired engineer. Richard remains as the Acting Deputy Chair

One casual vacancy remains which is expected to be announced in the near future.

RDA MNC covers the local government areas of Coffs Harbour, Bellingen, Nambucca, Kempsey, Port Macquarie Hastings, Greater Taree and Lord Howe Island and is a partnership between the Australian, NSW and local government to develop and strengthen our regional community.

Minister Crean said the new appointments will ensure RDA Mid North Coast continues as a vital connection between all three levels of Government. “The RDA committees are more than the eyes and ears for Canberra.” Mr Crean said. "Strong RDA committees are engaging with local communities to maximise economic growth, flexibility, diversity and resilience.” Minister Crean added "Committee members are local leaders with diverse skills and experience, who understand the challenges, opportunities and priorities in their communities.”

Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner welcomed the appointment of the new committee members for the RDA Mid North Coast. “The NSW RDA network helps drive policy for regional NSW, and is vital for setting the agenda on regional issues,” Mr Stoner said. “That is why it is important that each committee is made up of highly qualified people with a deep understanding of local issues, and the appointment of the new members of the RDA Mid North Coast certainly reflect that,” he said.

Outgoing Chair Elizabeth McGregor thanked the new board for their willingness to volunteer their time, expertise and experience on behalf of the region, and said she would remain connected to the Mid North Coast and neighbouring RDAs through her involvement in the Federal Government’s Ministerial Council on Regional Australia.

Executive Officer Peter Tregilgas welcomed the new committee at their first meeting for the year in Coffs Harbour (Fri 3 Feb) and acknowledged the staff team based in Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour. “In the two year since commencement the RDA MNC has already achieved considerable success through our focus on high level facilitation including the Regional Leadership Conference (Port Macquarie) and THE (Technology-Health-Education) Exchange (Coffs Harbour). We look forward to working with the new Board to articulate our regional issues and needs. We remain committed to ensuring the Regional Plan is accessible, relevant and demonstrates leadership” Mr Tregilgas said he appreciated the interest of the 30 expressions of interest for Committee Positions which reflected the profile the RDA MNC had been able to achieve.

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