Announcement of RDA Orana Committee

Regional Development Australia Orana is set to benefit from new appointments to its Committee.

The appointments of seven new members to RDA Orana were announced today by Regional Australia Minister, Simon Crean and NSW Deputy Premier, Andrew Stoner.

Ms Belinda Colless has been appointed as Deputy Chair and the following community representatives have been appointed as new committee members:

• Mr Peter Shinton, Local Government, Coonabarabran
• Mr Bill Burnheim, Agri Business, Coonamble
• Mr Peter Gibbs, Indigenous Representative, Dubbo
• Mr Des Kennedy, Local Government, Mudgee
• Mr Stan Single Social Justice Law and Order Dubbo
• Mr Ian Stanford, Vocational Education and Training, Dubbo
• Mr Peter Yench, Local Government, Cobar

Continuing members are;

• Mr Allan Smith, Local Government, Dubbo
• Mr Kim Williams, Business, Dubbo
• Ms Belinda Colless, Local Government, Brewarrina
• Mrs Louisa Kiely, Carbon Farming, Goolma

Chair or RDA Orana, John Walkom welcomed this announcement from both federal Minister Crean and NSW Deputy Premier Stoner saying that the makeup of the new RDA Orana Committee will ensure continuing strong regional representation as well as a broad professional expertise and experience to ensure RDA Orana continues as a vital connection between all three levels of Government. 

“The RDA Committees are more than the eyes and ears for Canberra,” Minister Crean said in his Press Release to announce the new appointments. Their input is central to our place-based approach because it will help us better respond to the challenges and opportunities different regions face and enable us to embed regionalism into the way we govern in a way that can't be unpicked.

"Strong RDA committees are engaging with local communities to maximise economic growth, flexibility, diversity and resilience. Committee members are local leaders with diverse skills and experience, who understand the challenges, opportunities and priorities in their communities. They volunteer their time and energy and work tirelessly for their regions, and we are committed to ensuring they have the support and resources to do their job well.”

 Deputy Premier Stoner said the appointment of the new committee members to RDA Orana will be instrumental to identifying strengths and opportunities in each region and providing the national policies and programs that will drive local solutions. “The NSW RDA network helps drive policy for regional NSW, and is vital for setting the agenda on regional issues,” Mr Stoner said. “That is why it is important that each committee is made up of highly qualified people with a deep understanding of local issues, and today’s appointments reflect that.”

 Regional Development Australia (RDA) is a partnership between Australian, State, Territory and Local Governments to strengthen regional communities.   RDA consists of a national network of 55 committees which are made up of leaders who work with all levels of government, business and community groups to support the development of their regions.   RDA Orana is based in Dubbo comprising of committee members from across the region.