Government responds to review of regional development

The State's nine Regional Development Commissions (RDCs) will be streamlined to provide greater focus on developing regional investment blueprints after analysis of a review into the commissions' structure.

Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls said the review was requested by State Cabinet's Economic Expenditure and Reform Committee and examined ways the delivery of Western Australia's regional development agenda could be improved.

The review is the first comprehensive examination of the Regional Development Commission since its inception in 1993.

"The State Government has determined the RDCs will remain as individual statutory authorities but the will be asked to work closely with the WA Planning Commission to produce detailed blueprints to identify service gaps and investment opportunities," Mr Grylls said.

The Minister said the RDC (council) comprising the chairs of the nine RDCs would also continue to play a critical role and be given a dedicated executive support team within the Department of Regional Development and Lands.

"The State Government also proposes to adopt the review's recommendation to  appoint an independent executive chair to head up the council which will have a renewed State-wide focus on setting strategic directions, policy prioritisation and strategies common to all RDCs," he said.

These should be in place by September 1, 2011.

Mr Grylls said the Premier, as Minister responsible for Public Sector Management would have carriage of any legislative changes required to the Regional Development Commissions Act 1993.

Further information on the Government's response to the RDC review is available at http://www.rdl.wa.gov.au/RDCreport

Minister's office - 9213 7000