Reform of regional Act will facilitate regional land development

29/9/04
Changes proposed for Western Australia's regional development legislation will enable the State's nine regional development commissions to hold and develop property under certain conditions.
Regional Development Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich today tabled the report of the Review of the Regional Development Commissions Act 1993 during the historic regional sitting of the Legislative Council in the Kalgoorlie Town Hall.
Ms Ravlich said other key recommendations which the Government proposed to implement included:

• adding 'sustainable regional development' to the objectives of all regional development commissions;
• enabling bodies covered by the Act to conduct their meetings by video-conference or teleconference; and
• allowing up to two additional appointments to the 12-member Regional Development Council - the Government's premier advisory body on regional development matters.

"This review, which was a requirement of the 1993 Act, has enabled us to increase the efficiency and relevance of our regional development structures," the Minister said.
"Adding the property holding and development capacity increases the ability of RDCs, often in partnership with other agencies, to realise opportunities which are of local or regional significance.
"Such activities will require the approval of both the relevant regional Minister and the Minister responsible for Government land development. This will only occur where it is not possible for LandCorp to undertake the development.
"Development commissions already take the long-term economic, social and environmental consequences of their decisions and activities into account, but adding the sustainability objective will strengthen their capacity to do this.
"Similarly, electronic meetings will increase participation opportunities for RDC board members and the Regional Development Council.
"Providing for up to two additional appointments to the Regional Development Council - which currently includes the chair of each RDC Board, two local government representatives and an independent chair - will enable the council to access additional expertise and capacities."
The chair of the Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission, Mr Bill McKenzie, welcomed the proposed changes.
"These changes will help the commissions respond more flexibly, quickly and effectively to development opportunities in their regions," Mr McKenzie said.
Ms Ravlich said the review process included consultation with RDC board members and staff, a range of Government agencies and regional interests, and the general public.
She will seek Cabinet approval for drafting a Regional Development Commissions Amendments Bill to implement the recommendations.
A full copy of the review is available online at http://www.dlgrd.wa.gov.au/legislation/regionDevCommActReview.asp
Minister's office: 9213 6500