Regional Development Australia (RDA) is an initiative of the Australian Government that aims to enhance the growth and development of regional areas by bringing together the three levels of government and working together to provide a strategic and targeted response to issues in regional areas. RDA Wheatbelt Inc is one of 55 committees representing regional areas across Australia.
There are five key functions that underpin the role of the national network of RDA committees:
Consultation and engagement with the community:
Work with local communities to identify issues and opportunities, develop solutions and articulate priorities
Act as a two-way conduit for information and advice between communities and all levels of government;
Engage with all levels of government, regional stakeholders and communities in developing solutions to regional needs and priorities
Contribute to informed regional planning:
Develop strategic regional plans (in collaboration with Australian, State and local governments);
Annual reporting against milestones/performance indicators;
Work with key stakeholders (government and non-government) to facilitate a coordinated approach to regional planning and development activities in the region
Whole of government activities:
Act as a first point of contact for communities for information about Australian Government services, programs and initiatives;
A first point of contact for Australian Government agencies wanting to consult in the region
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.
Promote Australian, state or local government programs and initiatives to regional stakeholders;
Identify potential government programs to support regional projects and initiatives;
Provide advice and assistance to stakeholders to facilitate access to funding that will support regional projects;
Provide information and advice to local communities about ways in which they can engage with government programs, policies and initiatives.
Community and Economic development:
Participate in community development activities to increase the capacity of the region to meet the needs of its members;
Build the capacity of the region to identify priorities, develop resilience and access the resources needed for sustainable social and economic development and environmental management;
Act as an advocate for the region;
Assist the region to broaden its industry base and develop new products or markets;
Build networks and develop leadership within the region; Brokering solutions that address regional issues and barriers to development;
RDA (WA) network
In Western Australia the RDA (WA) network comprises eight regional RDA Committees and an RDA Advisory Board for metropolitan Perth. The eight regional RDA (WA) Committees are non-profit community-based incorporated associations and their regions are based on the Western Australian Regional Development Commission regions as follows:
