Regional Government
Regional Snapshot
Regional identity is not facilitated by Government boundaries at all level of the region. The Australian Government programs such as Keep Australia Working MNC is not synchronised with RDA MNC councils boundaries. The NSW Government State Plan identifies the North Coast as defined region which includes RDA MNC, RDA Northern Rivers and a portion of the RDA Hunter. The six local councils in the MNC have an informal group which unlike other regional organisations of councils is not incorporated and therefore has limited capacity to act as an agent for Government Project delivery.
Key Issue Statement
Increased coordination and communication.
Local Government Collaboration.
Inter-Regional Collaboration.
Key Strategy
Establish formal links with neighbouring RDA’s through MOU’s to work collaboratively in cross regional activity (individually or collectively) for the benefit of the whole State &/or MNC Region.
Key Strategy
Increase effective collaboration and joint projects between Councils in the Region to increase efficiency and reduce expenditure.
Joint major projects
Councils have shouwn some leadership with joint projects that are of economic benefit, such as the Cairncross Waste Recycling Centre with Port Mac & Kempsey. Joint marketing also provides logical cost saving and thinking as a customer such joint tourism marketing for the Coffs Coast incorpating Bellingen and Nambucca.
A real opportunity for networking on a major scale is the Airport Strategy for Port Macquarie/Kempsey/Taree. Port now has the major passenger airport and is the driving economy while Kempsey and Taree can focus on General Aviation and other matters transport. This level of collaboration (rather than just another airport) should be rewarded by Federal Government Infrastructure support
Key Strategy
The establishment of a Regional Coordinating Authority incorporating Individual Local Councils, State & Federal Govt representation and Regional Development Australia (MNC) to:
Boundaries
Regional and electoral boundaries need to take into account local government boudaries so that common interests are indeed common and therefore can be better supported at community level. Issues would be better supported, lobbying would be more representative and solutions (if they come about) would meet the needs of a broader cross-section of the community.
A better outcome for the community and a more efficient use of resouces for the policy makers.