2. Regional Communities Consultative Council
Terms of Reference
The Regional Communities Consultative Council is an independent
advisory body that will make recommendations to the Minister
for Regional Development on ways in which the Government
and communities can work together to strengthen the capacity
of communities to respond to local issues and opportunities.
The Regional Communities Consultative Council will
undertake the following responsibilities:
Advise the Minister for Regional Development about the•
broad impact of decisions on regional communities.
Advise the Minister for Regional Development of any•
opportunities for initiatives to advance the social, economic
and environmental development of regional SA.
Advise the Minister for Regional Development on the•
challenges and opportunities in the provision of government
services and programs to regional communities.
Advise Ministers and Cabinet, through the Minister for•
Regional Development, on matters that may be referred
to the Council by them from time to time; and
Advocate change that will improve the quality of life in regional areas.•
Wind farm - Hallett
Cover pictures
Bethany vineyards - Barossa Valley
Orange orchard - Riverland
4. 2 | Regional Communities Consultative Council
This report outlines
the work of the
Regional Communities
Consultative Council
(RCCC) for the three-year
term January 2005 to
December 2007.
During this period the Council has
monitored and provided advice to the
Minister for Regional Development on
key issues affecting regional communities
in our State, including infrastructure to
support social and economic growth,
and services such as health, transport,
broadband access and water supply.
In particular, the RCCC has been able
to bring a regional perspective to
statewide planning processes and policy
development through: commenting on
draft new legislation and reviews of
existing legislation; involvement in the
consideration of the impact of government
policy and decisions on regional
communities through the Government’s
Regional Impact Assessment Statement
policy; contributions to key initiatives
such as the development of uniform
state boundaries by the Government
Reform Commission and updating of
the South Australia Strategic Plan; and
recommending or commissioning
relevant research.
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to
all those who have been members of the
RCCC during this period. It has been my
privilege to work with such a committed
group of people who have given voluntarily
of their time and expertise to provide
a valuable conduit between regional
communities and the State Government.
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
5. Report 2005–2007 | 3
The knowledge, compassion and
impartiality these members have
brought to the many social, economic and
environmental issues they have considered
over their term has always ensured a
balanced response to the Minister and
Government.
On behalf of the RCCC, I would also like to
thank the Honourable Karlene Maywald in
her capacity as the Minister for Regional
Development, for the respect she has
shown this Council and for her dedicated
commitment to regional South Australia.
I greatly value the time she has given to
engaging with me as the Chair and to the
issues raised by the RCCC. I look forward
to working with the new Minister for
Regional Development the Honourable
Rory McEwen MP.
I would also like to thank Phil Tyler,
Executive Director of the Office of Regional
Affairs, and his staff for the executive,
administrative and research support they
provide to the Council. In particular, the
Council thanks Esther Roberts, Sam Bray
and Jacqui Triggs for their excellent work
as respective executive officers.
I acknowledge the sad passing of Mr John
Legoe in December 2005. John was a long
standing member of Council and greatly
respected local government leader. He was
a passionate South Australian and a strong
advocate for the development of regions.
His leadership, vision and friendship are
sadly missed by many.
My thanks to the outgoing members,
who I know will continue to work in their
communities and to represent the interests
of regional South Australia through many
other avenues.
I look forward to working with a number
of incoming members over the next three
years whose appointments will ensure a
balance of new representation with the
continuity and expertise of the existing
membership.
The RCCC recognises that successful
regional growth involves a role for both
government and communities. Where
there is strong local leadership working
with responsive governments (at all
levels) there are communities that can
maximise opportunities and honestly face
the challenges. The members of the RCCC
are among those community leaders and
throughout the next three year term
will continue to develop the Council’s
role as a conduit between communities
and government.
Peter Blacker
Chair,
Regional Communities
Consultative Council
6. 4 | Regional Communities Consultative Council
The Regional Communities Consultative
Council was established in 2002, by
the South Australian Government, as
an independent advisory body to make
recommendations to the Minister for
Regional Development on ways in which
the State Government and communities
can work together to strengthen the
capacity of communities to respond to
local issues and opportunities.
The RCCC’s key responsibilities include
advising the Minister for Regional
Development about the broad impact of
decisions on regional communities and
opportunities for initiatives to advance
social, economic and environmental
development that will improve quality of
life in regional South Australia.
The membership of Council comprises key
representatives from local government,
regional development boards, business
and community, with a broad geographic
spread across regional South Australia.
The Council meets a minimum of four
times a year, primarily in regional
locations. Various meetings, functions,
community forums and site visits are
undertaken, which enable the Council to
engage with community leaders, service
providers, groups and individuals to
identify issues and possible solutions.
The RCCC is not a decision-making body,
but communicates to Government what
it believes to be important messages from
regional communities and its position and
recommendations on specific issues.
The Office of Regional Affairs, in the
Department of Trade and Economic
Development, provides research and
administrative support to the RCCC.
Regional Communities Consultative
Council Members 2005–2007
During this period the RCCC has been
chaired by Peter Blacker, a community
leader with a long history of community
involvement in regional South Australia
and across the State. Its members have
been drawn from a wide range of areas and
activities across regional South Australia,
including local government regional
councils, regional development boards,
farming businesses, rural consultancies,
church and community services.
A full list of members is provided on the
inside back cover.
Membership
Roy Blight, CEO Barossa Light Regional
Development Board; Charles Melton, of Charles
Melton Wines; The Hon. Karelene Maywald, MP
and then Minister for Regional Development;
and Peter Blacker, Chair RCCC, at an RCCC
community dinner in the Barossa.
Photo courtesy of SE Coastal Leader.
Background
7. Report 2005–2007 | 5
Site visits are an important part of the
Council’s regional meetings, enabling
members to experience first hand regional
development issues and opportunities and
for targeted meetings around key elements
of its work program. Site visits undertaken
during its term included:
Kangaroo Island Ligurian Honey•
Kangaroo Island waste•
management depot
Cygnet River, Kangaroo Island•
(Koala Management)
Island Pure Sheep Dairy, Kangaroo Island•
Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery,•
Kangaroo Island
Parachilna Gorge (cactus infestation)•
Port Lincoln Seahorse Farm•
Port Lincoln Master Plan and Port facilities•
Southern Rock Lobster facility, Port Lincoln•
Pilchard freezing facility and water•
treatment, Port Lincoln
Matthew Flinders Home, Port Lincoln•
(aged care facility)
Blue Lake Milling, Bordertown•
(primary manufacturing site and
administration centre)
This Council has continued to monitor
and advise on key issues, including
maintenance and development of
appropriate infrastructure to support
business and economic growth, and
key services such as health, transport,
broadband access and water supply.
In order to develop its work plan and
appropriately advise the Minister for
Regional Development on regional
issues, the Council sought information
and advice from regional stakeholders
through community forums involving
representatives of regional development
boards, regional local government, area
consultative committees, and government
agencies. During its term, the RCCC held
10 regional meetings and forums. Other
meetings were held centrally in Adelaide.
Regional Community Meetings
Consultations 2005–2007
May 2005 – Kangaroo Island
August 2005 – Wilpena Pound
November 2005 – Port Lincoln
April 2006 – Bordertown
August 2006 – Port Augusta
November 2006 – Barossa Valley
February 2007 – Port Vincent
May 2007 – Kingston SE
August 2007 – Port Pirie
November 2007 – Riverland
Work Program
Port Lincoln tuna fishing
8. 6 | Regional Communities Consultative Council
Tatiara Meat Company, Bordertown•
Arid Lands Botanic Gardens, Port Augusta•
EDI Rail Yards, Port Augusta•
Lakeview Accommodation Centre,•
Port Augusta
Wolf Blass Winery and Visitor Centre,•
Nuriootpa
Tarac Technologies, Nuriootpa•
(recycling wine by-products)
The White House Community Centre•
and Men’s Shed, Nuriootpa
Ahrens Group, Sheoak Log•
(supplier of industrial buildings,
silos, structural steel)
Cape Jaffa Anchorage Development,•
Cape Jaffa
Robe Marina, Robe•
Wangolina Station (family winery),•
Kingston SE
Glossop High School Senior Campus,•
Berri
Gilbert Street Gallery, Berri•
Berri Barmera wastewater re-use plant,•
various sites
Flinders University Rural Clinical School,•
Renmark
In order to make informed
recommendations, the RCCC has also
sought and received presentations on
various issues, regions, projects and
policies. These include:
Regional Development Boards in each•
region visited
Kangaroo Island Tourism Optimisation•
Management Model
Regular updates on the South Australia•
Strategic Plan by the Department of
Premier and Cabinet
Marine Park Areas – Department of•
Environment and Heritage
Outback Water Supply, Office of Local•
Government
Social planning process undertaken by•
South East Local Government Association
– Wattle Range Council
Anglican Community Care – Wattle Range•
Council Collaboration
Office of Upper Spencer Gulf Flinders•
Ranges Outback – Ministerial Officer
OUSGFO
The Government’s involvement in the•
Olympic Dam Expansion – Office of Major
Projects and Infrastructure
Wind farm - Hallett
9. Report 2005–2007 | 7
Briefings and Reports on native vegetation•
management – Native Vegetation Council
and Department of Water Land and
Biodiversity Conservation (DWLBC)
State Government strategy for the•
‘Connect Australia’ funding programs
– Department of Further Education,
Employment, Science and Technology
(DFEEST)
Review of Training and Skills Development•
Act 2003 (DFEEST)
Water security issues – DWLBC•
Regular Updates on the work of the•
Government Reform Commission - Office
of Government Reform Commission
Regular Updates on the update and•
regionalisation of the South Australia’s
Strategic Plan – Department of Premier
and cabinet
Drought and drought related•
presentations and updates – Primary
Industries and Resources SA (PIRSA), Rural
Financial Counselling Service SA Inc, and
SA Murray Resource Information Centre
(SAMRIC)
Tenby10 Strategy to reduce blood levels of•
Lead in Port Pirie children – Zinifex (Now
Nyrstar)
Regular reports from the Chief Executive•
of the Department of Trade and Economic
Development (DTED)
Regular presentations from staff of the•
Office of Regional Affairs, DTED
In addition, information was sourced from
other states and international examples.
The Council’s role has been to analyse the
information and advise the Minister for
Regional Development, as appropriate,
on key matters. In carrying out this
responsibility the RCCC has used a priority
topics approach and focussed its energies
and interest to make a difference.
Wilpena Pound - Flinders Ranges
10. 8 | Regional Communities Consultative Council
The RCCC has been an important voice
for regional communities, raising and
responding to many key matters affecting
the regions and in particular has been able
to bring a regional perspective to some
key state wide planning processes and
policy development.
This includes comment on draft new
legislation and reviews of existing
legislation, involvement in the
consideration of the impact of government
policy and decisions on regional
communities through the Government’s
Regional Impact Assessment Statement
policy, contributions to key initiatives
such as the development of uniform
state boundaries by the Government
Reform Commission and updating of
South Australia’s Strategic Plan, and
recommending or commissioning
relevant research.
Members of the RCCC bring a regional
perspective to a number of government
advisory and working groups including
the:
Population Advisory Group;•
Volunteer Ministerial Advisory Group, and•
Community Engagement Board•
South Australia’s Strategic Plan
The involvement of the RCCC Chair
on South Australia’s Strategic Plan
(SASP) Update Team and its members’
involvement and facilitation of the
regional consultation process contributed
significantly to the revised Plan.
Targets specific to regional South Australia
were removed from the original plan (with
the exception of regional population levels)
in favour of a more comprehensive process
of ‘regionalising’ the plan over a two-year
period.
Current and former members of the
RCCC continue to be involved in the
regionalisation of the Plan through
regional steering committees developing
Plan targets relevant to the regions. The
Premier has appointed Peter Blacker as
Chair of the Community Engagement
Board, which provides an ongoing
mechanism for community involvement
with the Plan and overseeing the process of
regionalisation of the Plan (Refer. SASP p.9).
For the RCCC the Plan’s key objectives are
an important guide for monitoring service
delivery across the state and informing its
consideration of how it can best influence
Government policy on key issues affecting
regional South Australian communities.
All of the major issues for regional
communities are reflected in the plan and
it is important that the targets represent
key performance indicators, not only for
the Government, but for all community
members and leaders.
STATE AND REGIONAL POLICY
AND PLANNING PROCESSES
11. Report 2005–2007 | 9
Key SASP Targets relating to RCCC achievements
and activities 2005–2007
SASP Objective SASP Targets
1 Growing Prosperity T1.1 Economic Growth
T1.5 Business Investment
T1.7 Performance in the public sector – customer
and client satisfaction with government
services
T1.8 Performance in the public sector – government
decision making
T1.9 Performance in the public sector –
administrative efficiency
T1.11 Unemployment
T1.14 Total Exports
T1.15 Tourism
T1.21 Strategic Infrastructure
2 Improving Wellbeing T2.3 Sport and Recreation
T2.4 Healthy South Australians
T2.7 Psychological Wellbeing
3 Attaining Sustainability T3.4 Marine Biodiversity
4 Fostering Creativity and Innovation T4.8 Broadband Usage
5 Building Communities T5.6 Volunteering
T5.9 Regional Population Levels
6 Expanding Opportunity T6.19 Non-school qualifications
Key Interactions across the Plan Economic growth and ecological footprint
12. 10 | Regional Communities Consultative Council10 | Regional Communities Consultative Council
Regional Infrastructure
Economic infrastructure continues to be
a key issue for regional communities and
the RCCC has been a driving force in the
ongoing support for regional infrastructure
through the Regional Development
Infrastructure Fund (RDIF). The Fund,
managed by the Office of Regional Affairs,
supports regional infrastructure projects
that contribute to economic viability and
development in regions, for the benefit of
the State and regional communities.
Continuing strong growth in regional
South Australia requires investment
in energy, water and water treatment,
transport and telecommunications
infrastructure. The growth of new
industries and growing environmental
pressures are also creating a need for new
kinds of infrastructure investment.
In early 2006, the RCCC commissioned
research which assessed the value of the
Regional Development Infrastructure
Fund, both in terms of its contribution to
economic development in regional South
Australia and its return on investment for
the State, demonstrating that for every
RDIF dollar invested there is an average of
$80 increase in Gross State Product.
The RCCC submitted its position to the
State Government in support of the Fund,
which now receives ongoing funding of
The Two Wells Glasshouse - An RDIF supported project
STATE AND REGIONAL POLICY
AND PLANNING PROCESSES
13. Report 2005–2007 | 11
$3 million each year and contributes to
key SASP targets of lowering regional
unemployment, increasing regional
populations, encouraging regional
investment, and increasing the State’s
export earnings.
SASP Reference:
T1.1 Economic Growth
T1.11 Unemployment
T1.14 Total Exports
T1.21 Strategic Infrastructure
T5.9 Regional Population Levels
Regional Impact Assessment Statements
The Regional Communities Consultative
Council is a key point of contact as
part of the consultation process for
government agencies preparing a Regional
Impact Assessment Statement (RIAS) in
accordance with the guidelines of the
Government’s policy statement on regional
impact.
The RCCC also monitors proposed changes
to government programs and services
and may advise the Minister for Regional
Development when a RIAS is appropriate.
During its three year term, the following
RIAS were prepared or committed to on the
advice of the RCCC:
Health Care Bill 2007•
Shared Services Reform•
The Department of Environment and•
Heritage will undertake a RIAS on each of
the 19 marine parks proposed under the
Marine Parks Bill
Country Health SA will prepare a RIAS•
on South Australia’s Regional Health
Care Plan
RIAS documents are publicly
available on the Department of Trade
and Economic Development’s website
www.southaustralia.biz
SASP Reference:
T1.8 Performance in the public sector –
government decision making
T2.4 Healthy South Australians
T3.4 Marine Biodiversity
Report 2005–2007 | 11
14. 12 | Regional Communities Consultative Council
Legislation
The RCCC monitors the regional impact
of legislation amendments and the
introduction of new legislation and during
its three-year term made submissions and/
or provided input either independently or
through the Office of Regional Affairs with
regard to the following:
Review of the Sustainable•
Development Bill
Review of the Native Vegetation Act•
and Regulations
Introduction of the Health Care Bill 2007•
Review of the Skills Training and•
Development Act
Introduction of the Marine Parks Bill 2006•
SASP Reference:
T2.4 Healthy South Australians
T3.4 Marine Biodiversity
T6.19 Non-school qualifications
Key Interactions
across the Plan
Economic growth and
ecological footprint
Quantifying the contribution of regions to
the well-being of the State
In 2005 the Council advanced the
economic study commissioned by the
previous Council, which produced a report
Quantifying the Economic Contribution of
Regional South Australia, and oversaw the
development of an Input – Output model
for all thirteen regional development board
(RDB) regions.
The Regional Industry Structure and
Employment (RISE) Impact Model, provides
a database describing regional economic
structure and a capacity to undertake
regional economic impact analysis. The
Department of Trade and Economic
Development (DTED) uses the model for
various purposes, including economic
impact assessments, and the development
of regional profiles.
The use of the model has lead to structural
change studied in the South Australian
Regional Development Board regions using
Shift-Share analysis, which is a technique
that compares regional growth with
growth at the State level, over a certain
period of time.
SASP Reference:
T1.8 Performance in the public sector –
government decision making
STATE AND REGIONAL POLICY
AND PLANNING PROCESSES
15. Report 2005–2007 | 13
Regional Policy and Planning
In addition to the provision of advice and
information discussed throughout this
document, the RCCC also provided input
into a number of other plans and processes,
including:
• A Guide to South Australia’s Regional Plans
and Policies prepared by the Department
of Trade and Economic Development
to coordinate information about State
Government agency policies and plans for
implementing South Australia’s Strategic
Plan in regional and rural South Australia.
A response from a regional perspective•
to the Minister for the Status of Women
regarding the development of a public
document on the Government’s
commitment to women’s safety in
South Australia.
Feedback and advice to the Government•
Reform Commission on the development
of uniform State Government boundaries.
Advice to the Government Reform•
Commission as part of a review of
the Regional Facilitation Groups (now
Regional Coordination Networks)
responsible for the coordination of
issues and activities from a whole of
Government perspective.
SASP Reference:
T1.7 Performance in the public sector –
customer and client satisfaction
with government services
T1.8 Performance in the public sector –
government decision making
T1.9 Performance in the public sector –
administrative efficiency
Wind farm - Hallett
17. Report 2005–2007 | 15
Over the course of the three-year term
numerous issues were considered by
Council and brought to the attention of the
Minister for Regional Development, the
Minister’s Cabinet colleagues, or portfolio
departments.
Native vegetation management
In response to issues raised across
regional South Australia, the Council
commissioned research into the systemic
issues associated with the assessment
of applications for native vegetation
clearance and identified a need to
improve both the policy framework and
administration of the native vegetation
approval process, to ensure timely
and ecologically sustainable regional
development.
The RCCC made comprehensive
submissions to the review of the Native
Vegetation Act 1991 and Native Vegetation
Regulations 2003 and the review of the
administration of the Act and Regulations,
undertaken by the Department of Water,
Land and Biodiversity Conservation
(DWLBC) in 2006–2007.
The Council’s submissions addressed issues
and recommendations in three key areas
– policy framework, legislative context,
and assessment and administrative
processes – and contributed to the
development of significant new directions
for native vegetation management in SA
including measures aimed at increasing
transparency and consistency and
simplifying processes.
Monitoring of the implementation of the
measures remains a key priority for the
RCCC as it moves into a new term in 2008.
SASP Reference:
T1.7 Performance in the public
sector – customer and
client satisfaction with
government services
T1.8 Performance in the public
sector – government
decision making
T1.9 Performance in the public
sector – administrative
efficiency
Key Interactions
across the Plan
Economic growth and
ecological footprint
Drought
Since late 2006, the RCCC has been
monitoring the impact of the drought in
South Australia and has made it the basis
of a number of meetings and consultations
in the communities it has visited since.
The drought has had a significant adverse
impact on the South Australian economy
in 2006/07, exacerbated further by a poor
2007/08 cropping season, increasing farm
debt levels, and high grain prices, which
are also impacting on intensive livestock
industries. Irrigated horticulture reliant on
the River Murray is being severely affected
by the relatively sudden and severe loss of
water supply. River Murray irrigators also
face long term impacts if perennial crops
do not survive the current drought.
Banrock Station Wine Wetland Centre - Riverland
REGIONAL ISSUES
18. 16 | Regional Communities Consultative Council
Regular reports to the Minister for
Regional Development, by the RCCC, on
the impact of the drought on regional
communities have focussed largely on
the flow-on effects including the social
impact and, in particular, the need for
increased counselling and mental health
support for rural communities and schools.
Many of the RCCC’s concerns have also
been highlighted at Leaders’ Forums in
the areas of Industry, Business, Social and
Natural Resource Management and by the
Premier’s High level Task Force, and many
have now been addressed in measures
announced by the South Australian
Government.
The RCCC remains concerned that, while
the resources boom has supported many
rural families’ capacity to earn off farm
income in the mining industry during the
drought, there are longer-term problems
for the supply of skilled labour for the rural
sector and for the sustainability of rural
communities.
The RCCC will continue to monitor, report,
and make recommendations on the impact
of the drought in regional South Australian
communities.
SASP Reference:
T1.1 Economic Growth
T1.11 Unemployment
T1.14 Total Exports
T1.15 Tourism
T2.7 Psychological Wellbeing
T5.9 Regional Population Levels
Shared Services Reform
In September, 2006, the South Australian
Government announced that it would
establish a shared services organisation
to support all Government portfolios in
order to reduce duplication of internal
administrative services and create
more simplified and efficient processes
(a recommendation of the Greg Smith
review).
Representatives of the RCCC met with
the Shared Services Reform Office (SSRO)
to discuss the proposed reforms and the
associated regional impacts.
Following advice from the RCCC, a full
Regional Impact Assessment Statement
(RIAS) was prepared and the SSRO
committed to continuing consultation
with the RCCC at key points during the
reform process.
SASP Reference:
T1.7 Performance in the public sector –
customer and client satisfaction with
government services
T1.8 Performance in the public sector –
government decision making
T1.9 Performance in the public sector –
administrative efficiency
regional issues
19. Report 2005–2007 | 17
Telecommunications
Regional consultations have highlighted
many difficulties/gaps in service provision
in regional telecommunications, including
telephone, mobile telephone networks and
internet connection (access to broadband).
The RCCC:
Opposed the sale of Telstra by the previous•
Federal Government and advised the
Minister for Regional Development that a
needs analysis was required to ensure that
funding is available to all communities not
just those with critical mass or political
relevance.
Advised the Minister for Regional•
Development of concerns of duplication
when OPEL was awarded the Australian
contract by the previous Federal
Government and supported the South
Australian Government proposal to
transfer proposed infrastructure from
areas of high duplication to areas not
covered or with minimal coverage.
Has raised concerns that Satellite rather•
than ADSL or wireless would be relied
upon to meet the Australian Broadband
Guarantee.
All of these concerns have been included
by DFEEST in negotiations with the Federal
Government.
SASP Reference:
T1.7 Performance in the public sector –
customer and client satisfaction with
government services
T1.8 Performance in the public sector –
government decision making
T1.9 Performance in the public sector –
administrative efficiency
T4.8 Broadband Usage
Spinifex - Riverland
20. 18 | Regional Communities Consultative Council
Public liability issues for community
groups and community activities
The RCCC, through its community
consultative forums, has continued to
receive feedback on issues regarding
the cost and burden of managing public
liability insurance for community groups
and activities.
The RCCC continues to provide advice and
recommendations to relevant Ministers
and to seek new approaches to mitigate
the insurance burden on the many
community organisations with minimum
insurance needs who play a valuable role
in their community and whose existence
continue to be threatened as a result
of this burden.
SASP Reference:
T2.3 Sport and Recreation
T2.4 Healthy South Australians
T5.6 Volunteering
T5.9 Regional Population Levels
Port Vincent Aquatic Centre
The RCCC supported the Port Vincent
community’s concerns about the possible
closure of the Port Vincent Aquatic Centre.
The local community now continue to
enjoy the Port Vincent Aquatic Centre
following the Minister for Education and
Children’s Services’ decision to continue
to fund Australia’s only government
funded school aquatics program, ensuring
valuable vocational and water survival
skills continue to be taught across
South Australia.
SASP Reference:
T2.3 Sport and Recreation
Aquatics Centre staff and school students.
Photo courtesy of Port Vincent Primary School.
regional issues
21. Report 2005–2007 | 19
Health
The Council provided input into the
Department of Trade and Economic
Development’s submission on the Health
Care Bill 2007. The Bill facilitates the key
changes required to implement the South
Australian Government’s Health Care Plan.
The Department’s submission incorporated
regional health issues that have been
raised with the Regional Communities
Consultative Council, including:
Concerns around the previous reform•
resulting in a single country health region,
which was implemented in July 2006.
Lack of health transport infrastructure•
(the risk of heavy reliance on volunteers)
and the cost of transport.
South Australia’s aging population and the•
trend towards smaller aged communities
in regional South Australia and the
potential impact on access to services.
Workforce issues including skills shortages•
and difficulties attracting and retaining
skilled health professionals in regional
communities.
The high cost of upgrades to aging•
regional facilities and the fear that, as a
result, hospitals and other facilities will be
closed rather than maintained.
SASP Reference:
T2.4 Healthy South Australians
Kingsford Industrial Estate
Following its meeting in the Barossa Valley
in November 2006, the RCCC convened a
roundtable of key stakeholders involved in
the stalled development of the Kingsford
Industrial Estate. This led to completion of
the Master Plan and the implementation
of systems to advance the development,
which secured $600,000 in Regional
Development Infrastructure Fund support.
SASP Reference:
T1.1 Economic Growth
T1.5 Business Investment
Flinders Ranges
22. 20 | Regional Communities Consultative Council
Over the next three year term 2008 to 2010
the Regional Communities Consultative
Council will continue to consult with
communities on key issues such as health,
training and education, transport and
infrastructure and to report to the Minister
for Regional Development on the issues
raised.
Drought and its impact on South
Australian regional communities will
remain a key focus for the Council going
into a new three year term. Alongside this
are issues around the resources boom and
the economic, social and environmental
impact on regional communities, which
the Council has identified as a major
consideration going forward.
The RCCC will continue to advocate for
regional representation on relevant boards
and committees and is keen to increase the
flow of information and communication
between communities and government.
Regional consultations through forums,
site visits and targeted meetings remains
an important tool for the RCCC and this
approach will continue into the next term.
The RCCC is well aware that, through
this process, it risks raising expectations
in communities with regard to issues
that are not within its scope or ability to
resolve. However, members are often in
a position to share similar experiences
within their own communities. In addition,
this approach is effective in identifying
issues that are relevant across a number
of communities and may warrant State
Government consideration.
LOOKING FORWARD
Chairman Peter Blacker with Anita Bowen –
President Barossa Region Residents Association,
Jane Lowe – RCCC Member, and Roy Blight – CEO
Barossa and Light Regional Development Board
23. During this period the following people
gave their time, experience and expertise
as members of the Council:
Peter Blacker (Chair) – Port Lincoln
Deb Agnew – Mt Burr
Joy Baluch AM – Port Augusta
Bill Boehm – Roxby Downs
Mark Braes – Millicent
Jeff Burgess – Gulnare
Bill Clifford – Murray Bridge
Bishop Eugene Hurley – Port Pirie
Karen Kaak – Finniss
John Legoe (Dec) – Kingston
Monika Klein – Cockaleechie
Jane Lowe – Ceduna
Kym McHugh – Mount Compass
Bill McIntosh AM – Blinman
Ian O’Loan OAM – Mallala
Jeffrey Mincham – Cherryville
Heather Moore – Tailem Bend
Janet Sawyer – Whyalla
Dr Ruth Schubert – Mt Gambier
Claire Smith – Berri
Phil Tyler – Adelaide
Craig Wickham – Kangaroo Island
Jeanette Wormald – Northern Mallee
Executive Officers who supported the RCCC
during this term:
Esther Roberts
Sam Bray
Jacqui Triggs
REGIONAL COMMUNITIES CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL
2005–2007
Printed on Revive Silk - an Australian made recycled paper.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
KINGSTON
CEDUNA
WHYALLA
PORT AUGUSTA
BLINMAN
PORT PIRIE GULNARE
PORT LINCOLN
COCKALEECHIE
ADELAIDE
CHERRYVILLE
MALLALA
MURRAY BRIDGE
TAILEM BENDFINNISS
MT COMPASS
BERRI
KANGAROO ISLAND
MT GAMBIER
MILLICENT
MT BURR
24. RCCC Contact details
Executive Officer
Regional Communities Consultative Council
GPO Box 1264
Adelaide SA 5001
T 08 8303 2423
F 08 8303 2350
E rccc@state.sa.gov.au
