Over the last few months, as part of the transition of Area Consultative Committees to Regional Development Australia, ACCs (including the South West ACC) have been consulting widely with regional communities about the establishment of Regional Development Australia, the implementation of a new regional funding program – the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program -- and the infrastructure needs of the region.
The South West ACC has prepared three reports to Government in response to the 30 May, 2008, request from the Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development and Northern Australia, the Hon Gary Gray AO MP.
Task 1 Report
The task -- Provide advice on improving the engagement of regional communities, regional development organisations and local governments with the Australia Government. The advice should be developed through local consultation, such as stakeholder forums involving local government, state and federal regional development organisations and other not-for-profit development or community organisations. The Government expects to receive this practical advice with the aim of developing the role of RDA from 1 January, 2009, and improving the coordination and delivery of regional services and infrastructure.
A report was required to be submitted to the Government and the Interim RDA Board by August 31, 2008.
The South West ACC report covered issues such as the charter and role of the South West RDA committee, the committee structure and membership, management and administrative arrangements, boundary, reporting requirements, priorities for ways to improve communication and the rationale for these priorities.
Task 2 Report
The task -- Provide advice on principles and priorities for the new Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program to be developed as part of the 2009-2010 Budget. This advice should be developed through extensive local consultation, particularly with local governments and other regional organisations. The advice should be developed with the aim of assisting the Australian Government to invest in genuine community infrastructure and economic development, while minimising administrative costs to the taxpayer.
A report was required to be submitted to the Government and the Interim RDA Board by October 31, 2008.
The South West ACC report made recommendations that included:
· A flexible, responsive funding program that supports regional economic, social and environmental development, and is not limited to a narrow definition of regional and local community infrastructure.
· A program that is adequately funded to enable the backlog of projects that resulted from the closure of the Regional Partnerships Program to be dealt with quickly.
· A program that recognises that local communities are better able than politicians or public servants to judge the priority of a project.
· A program that provides local support and assistance to develop projects, access the program and implement the projects.
· A program that acknowledges that regional communities are better served when all three levels of government contribute to priority projects, without them disputing the break-up of that funding.
· A program that recognises that the regions, that is areas outside the major metropolitan cities, are less well-served in all material aspects – transport, health, education, employment, communications, leisure and recreation, law and order.
· A program that provides ease of application, recognising that applicants will have differing levels of ability and access to support and communications.
Task 3 Report
The task -- Provide advice on priorities for the types of local community infrastructure that could encourage economic development in local communities. Instead of a shopping list, I expect to receive strategic advice on the types of community infrastructure that may increase economic investment, improve the job opportunities in regional Australia, and enhance the liveability of regional centres.
A report was required to be submitted to the Government and the Interim RDA Board by October 31, 2008.
The South West ACC’s 74-page report identified $3.651 billion worth of projects required to be undertaken over the next eight years to meet the infrastructure needs of the South West Region of WA. Some $1.722 billion in funding is known to be committed to these projects, however, there is also an identified shortfall in funding of an estimated $1.928 billion, though some of this funding may be committed to these projects in future years.
In addition, many projects – large and small -- are yet to be costed, meaning the total cost of infrastructure requirements in the region is significantly higher than these estimates.
As expected, transport infrastructure is the largest category for infrastructure expenditure – some $848 million in planned expenditure and a further $1.4 billion in proposed expenditure, the South West ACC’s consultations show.
You can read summaries of all three reports. Click here.
If you would like a full copy of the reports (available on CD), please contact the South West ACC office on 9791 4552.
The South West Area Consultative Committee has published its 2007-08 Annual Report.
South West ACC chairman Mick Bennett described the year as “challenging”.
He said that a change of Federal Government in November, 2007, resulted in a period of review for the Area Consultative Committee network, the closure of the Regional Partnerships Program (May 2008), the closure of the Small Business Field Officer Program (June 2008) and the beginning of a “transition” of ACCs to Regional Development Australia.
“In the latter half of 2007, the South West ACC supported 13 funding applications under the Regional Partnerships Program, for projects worth more than $13.6 million. However, the subsequent closure of the program meant these projects could not proceed,” he said.
“Staff resignations in the first half of 2008 disrupted our ability to effectively service the region, leading to a reduction – in some cases abandonment -- of our planned program. Executive Officer Lisa Shreeve, Project Officer Robyn Barrett and Small Business Field Officer Anita Ratcliffe all resigned and left the organisation in March and April, 2008.
“Despite the frustrations, my first full year as chairman of the South West Area Consultative Committee has been enjoyable,” Mr Bennett said.
You can download a copy of the Annual Report. Click here (3.4MB). If you would like a printed copy please contact the South West ACC office on 9791 4552.
The 18-month-long Retire for Life project has been completed by the South West ACC. A total of seven one-day workshops were held in Pemberton, Bridgetown, Mandurah, Waroona, Bunbury, Busselton and Margaret River, providing participants with valuable information and tools to address the issue of succession planning for their businesses.
Succession planning, or planning to exit your business, is a major issue for small businesses. With many baby-boomers retiring in the near future the prospects for small business owners looking to sell their business to help them fund their retirement is looking bleak.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 80 per cent of all businesses that are exited are cessations, that is the business ceases trading and the owners fail to realise value for their business.
Only one in five businesses is successfully sold. Why? The answer is the lack of exit planning by small businesses owners.
In addition to those who attended the seminars, more than 700 business owners were given information on succession planning through one-on-one meetings with the South West ACC’s Retire for Life project officer, Lynda Spencer.
It is hoped that businesses will continue to be made aware of the importance of succession planning through small business advisory services in the region.
The Retire for Life seminars are an Australian Government initiative under the Building Entrepreneurship in Small Business program.
