Regional NSW

Regional Development Advisory Council

The Regional Development Advisory Council is the peak advisory body that makes recommendations to the NSW Minister for Regional Development on all regional development issues. It also advises on ways in which the Government and communities can work together to strengthen the capacity of communities to respond to local business issues.

Overview

The NSW Government established the NSW Regional Development Advisory Council in 2003. The Council’s membership brings together a group of experienced regional leaders with expertise in business, local government and community development.

Functions

The Regional Development Act 2004 provides for the establishment of the Regional Development Advisory Council and members are appointed by the Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Illawarra and Minister for Small Business. Under the Act, the Council has the following functions:

1. advise the Minister on any matter that is referred to it by the Minister
2. advise the Minister on any other matter it considers relevant to the object of the Act. This includes:
   • promoting economic and employment growth in regional New South Wales
   • assisting regional communities to capitalise on their regional strengths, to broaden and reposition the industry base of regions and develop new products and new markets
   • developing regional or local solutions for regional or local business development problems
   • identifying opportunities to fill gaps left by the market system.

The Regional Development Advisory Council meets quarterly. The Council and the Regional Development Boards are supported by the State & Regional Development and Tourism division of Industry & Investment NSW.

Membership

The Chairpersons of the 14 Regional Development  Australia committees are members of the Regional Development Advisory Council for the duration of their tenure as Chairpersons. The Minister may appoint additional members.

The current members of the Regional Development Advisory Council are:

• Peter Crowe Acting Chair (Regional Development Australia - Murray)
• Eddy De Gabriele (Regional Development Australia - Illawarra)
• Elizabeth McGregor Acting Chair (Regional Development Australia - Mid North Coast)
• Ian Tiley (Regional Development Australia - Northern Rivers)
• John Walkom (Regional Development Australia - Orana)
• Tom Watson (Regional Development Australia - Riverina)
• Alan Pendleton (Regional Development Australia - Sydney)
• John Dawson (Regional Development Australia - Central Coast)
• Kym Fuller (Regional Development Australia - Far West)
• Gaye Hart – Chair, Regional Development Advisory Council (Regional Development Australia - Hunter)
• Mal Peters (Regional Development Australia - Northern Inland)
• Sandy Morrison (Regional Development Australia - Central West)
• Ken Prendergast (Regional Development Australia - Southern Tablelands)
• Rob Pollock (Regional Development Australia - Far South Coast)