The fourth biennial Perth ACC Report to the Community will be the last report for the Perth Area Consultative Committee. This marks the end of an era for the Area Consultative Committee network established by the Australian Government in 1994 to deliver labour market programs and provide independent feedback to the Australian Government on policies, programs and issues facing local communities.  

The Report to the Community highlights the key activities and projects undertaken by the Perth ACC from June 2006 to March 2009 and follows on from the previous reports in 2002, 2004 and 2006.  Activities such as our extremely successful Grant Writing workshops and Grants Expo provided the opportunity for local government, community and business to develop their skills in grant writing and also to find out about the opportunities for funding from Australian, state and local government. 

In many respects, the transition period for RDA has been a challenging time however it has not diminished the achievements or the role of Perth ACC as an established partner with key stakeholders working together on an integrated approach to regional and community development.

“Thanks for all of the strategic and specific project development support over the years. I was a true believer in the merits of your objectives - as were many others.

You should be proud of the way you and your team enhanced economic development delivery throughout Perth metro. Congratulations on the achievements over a number of years - the legacy of your actions lives on through many successful projects implemented”

Regional Development Australia

The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP announced in March 2008 the establishment of Regional Development Australia (RDA) which from January 2009, would replace Area Consultative Committees (ACCs).  RDA will roll out on a state by state basis across Australia from 1st July 2009.

In Western Australia there will be no separate or legally constituted RDAs. There will be a service delivery contract between the Commonwealth and the State to deliver services and outcomes   of RDA for the Commonwealth in WA.   RDA (Perth) will be delivered as a service delivery contract for the Australian Government by the State Government Department of Regional Development and Lands and in the regions RDA will be delivered by the Regional Development Commissions.  

It appears that there will be an advisory committee for RDA (Perth) rather than a legally constituted board and in the regions, the state RDC ministerially appointed boards will be responsible for the RDA outcomes to the Commonwealth.  

Role of the RDA
Regional Development Australia (RDA) aims to bring together all levels of government to enhance the growth and development of regional Australia.  The RDA network is being established throughout Australia to provide a strategic framework for economic growth in each region.  There are four key functions that underpin the role of the national network of RDA committees:

• provide advice on consultation and  community engagement;
• regional planning;
• promoting whole-of-Government programs, policies and initiatives; and
• community and economic development.

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.  www.rda.gov.au

Perth ACC Community Consultations Update
Since July 2008, Perth ACC has undertaken consultation with stakeholders across the metropolitan area on shaping the new network, the priorities and direction for the new Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program and on priorities for local community infrastructure that could encourage economic development in local communities.  This process was undertaken in the belief that it was a genuine consultative process and Perth ACC has valued and appreciated the time taken by the community to participate in the surveys, interviews and workshops.  The community infrastructure information has now been distilled for trends to feed into the budget process and be part of a national stock take of local infrastructure needs which complements the audit of macro project undertaken by Infrastructure Australia.

While much of the feedback from the consultation process has been in relation to local community infrastructure needs, many of the issues raised were of a strategic and significant nature and effectively addressed the comprehensive and interrelated issues facing the Perth metropolitan area. The Perth ACC considered this stakeholder feedback to be highly relevant to assist all Australia Government portfolios plan on the basis of need and as such, a summary of these strategic issues was also included in our reports to Canberra.   Click here for the Executive Summary report into consultation process.