Sleeping Giant for Regional Development in Northern NSW

If Mohammad could move mountains, Local Government working with Regional Development Australia Northern Inland might just be able to move governments in Canberra and Sydney on difficult long term problems facing their communities.

Regional Development Australia Northern Inland (RDANI) Chairman Mal Peters, during his address to the 2nd Annual Sustaining Rural Communities Conference held this week in Narrabri, outlined the power communities could harness if they acted with a unified voice with RDANI. Mr Peters said, “RDANI provides the opportunity for local towns to develop solutions to problems that will deliver long-term benefits and outcomes for their community.”

RDANI has a unique opportunity to act as a unified voice for the 13 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the Northern Inland region (Armidale Dumaresq, Glen Innes Severn, Gunnedah, Gwydir, Guyra, Inverell, Liverpool Plains, Moree, Narrabri, Tamworth Regional, Tenterfield, Uralla and Walcha Councils). There are many issues facing regional communities and the goal of RDANI is to address these issues via well researched and effective projects so as to better their local communities. Some projects currently being undertaken by RDANI encompass issues such as the Murray Darling Basin Plan, the National Broadband Network (NBN), transport in the region and the health system. These projects will all contribute to a successful, sustainable regional Australia.

The main goal of RDANI is to open up communication between all levels of government; local, state and federal. “RDANI is opening the door and allowing the people of regional Australia to have a seat at the table. RDANI acts as a conduit between all levels of government, taking the issues of local people to state and federal decision makers,” Mr Peters said during his address.

“It’s an exciting time in regional Australia with a new state government focusing on regional issues and the federal government’s Regional Development Australia Fund to enhance regional communities. RDANI welcomes any ideas or feedback and the staff and committee look forward to working with local communities to enhance their region.”

Media Contact: Mal Peters Ph: 0400 072558