North Queensland Area Consultative Committee Inc.

The North Queensland Area Consultative Committee (NQACC), in place since the inception of the Area Consultative Committee network in 1994, and with officers and staff in Townsville and Mount Isa, will close operations at the end of September 2009 and be replaced by the new RDA (Regional Development Australia) network.

Achievements of the NQACC

Regional Development Funding

The Regional Partnerships program previously available through the ACC network closed for new projects in 2008: More information

Regional Development Australia

RDA is based on a joint undertaking of the Australian and the State Government with support from both levels of Government.

The model for the operation of RDA will be similar to that used for the Area Consultative Committees, with a regional committee of stakeholders forming an RDA committee.

The role of the RDA committee is seen to be more strategic. RDA Committees will assist the Australian, Queensland and local governments by taking on a broad role to:

• provide advice to governments about regional issues;
• provide strategic input into national and state programs;
• provide information to regional communities and local governments on national and state government initiatives;
• help coordinate regional planning and regional development initiatives; and
• work closely with local governments, community organisations and other regional organisations.

In particular, RDA Committees will play a strong role to promote economic and employment growth in regional Queensland.

In north and north-west Queensland the RDA region will include: Boulia Shire Council, Burdekin Shire Council, Burke Shire Council, Carpentaria Shire Council, Charters Towers Regional Council, Cloncurry Shire Council, Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council, Flinders Shire Council, Hinchinbrook Shire Council, McKinlay Shire Council, Mornington Shire Council, Mount Isa City Council, Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council, Richmond Shire Council, and Townsville City Council.

The new RDA regions can be seen in the attached map: RDA Map QLD

Background information is available from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, via the RDA website

Information on the role of the Queensland RDA committee and membership is available in the RDA Handbook: FINAL HANDBOOK RDA QLD

The initial call for expressions of interest for membership of the RDA committees in Queensland was advertised on May 30th 2009, with a closing date of June 22nd 2009: FINAL QLD APPLICATION FORM RDA QLD 2009

Regional Development Funding

Other funding sources

The Regional Partnerships program previously available through the ACC network closed for new projects in 2008.

Funding for regional development has been made through the Australian Government Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program.

Where possible, the NQACC project staff continue to offer assistance with enquiries to direct regional development funding, where support may be sought from a range of Government and Non-Government grants.

For further information go to the Australian Government web site.

Australian Government Jobs Fund 2009