EOI opens for NSW regional development council

The NSW Government is inviting community members interested in shaping the future prosperity of regional NSW to apply to become part of the Government’s Regional Development Advisory Council.

The Advisory Council provides independent advice to the Minister for Regional NSW about investments made by the Government’s $400 million Regional Development Trust.

Up to seven members will be appointed for three years by the Minister for Regional NSW, based on relevant skills and experience in areas such as regional and rural economics, local government, regional planning and infrastructure, climate adaptation and resilience, and natural resource management.

The Advisory Council will also include at least one Aboriginal representative with knowledge and experience in economic development for Aboriginal communities.

An interim Regional Development Advisory Council was established in December 2023 and the new Council members will be appointed at the end of 2024.

“Great work has been started by the interim Council and they’ve provided valuable advice in determining the first $35 million worth of investments covering food and beverage businesses, remote airstrip upgrades, Aboriginal economic development, and Western NSW workforce activation,” said Minister for Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty.

“I’d like to thank the interim members for their service to date and acknowledge the important work they have undertaken in reviewing the Regional Development Act, and guiding decisions for the initial investments from the Regional Development Trust.”

This year the Council has been involved with the first phase of Development Fund investments totalling $35 million for initiatives that address immediate needs of the community and industry in regional NSW.

The Council has played a critical role in providing advice on renewing the Regional Development Act and that Bill is now being processed in Parliament.

Expressions of Interest for the new Advisory Council open at 10am on 11 September 2024 and close on 11:59PM Wednesday 9 October.

For more information and to apply, go to: nsw.gov.au/advisorycouncil.