Regional Development Australia Core Principles

To guide the establishment and ongoing operation of the Regional Development Australia (RDA) network, the following underpinning principles were agreed by the Regional Development Council (RDC) in Broome on 30 July 2008:

integrated arrangements: the Australian, State, Territory and Local Governments will continue to work towards the eventual adoption of more integrated and aligned arrangements for regional engagement and economic development, recognising that alignment is necessarily a long term process;
a commitment to collaboration: where possible, the three levels of government collaborate at the regional level;
common boundaries: review existing boundaries to align Area Consultative Committees (ACCs), state regional development organisations and local government boundaries wherever possible;
acknowledging the differences: regional engagement and economic development structures vary across the Australian Government and States and Territories;
the intention for tripartite arrangements: local regional development structures to involve the three tiers of government, including joint membership of committees and the Regional Development Australia National Advisory Council;
sharing of information: improve information sharing on regional development activities and outcomes;
purpose and role of ACCs and state regional development organizations: work towards a shared purpose;
cross membership: as opportunities arise, work towards a degree of cross membership of committees;
joint funding: where possible collaborate through joint funding of regional development bodies to enable an increase in the scope of their activities; and
co-location: where possible co-locate regional development offices to facilitate better communication and minimise duplication of facilities.