Background

Area Consultative Committees are currently transitioning to Regional Development Australia Committees.

The national network of Area Consultative Committees (ACCs) has provided an important link between the Commonwealth Government and rural and metropolitan Australia. As volunteer community based organisations, ACCs are uniquely placed to respond to issues in their regions and provided a vital conduit to government on local, social and economic conditions.

The Chairs and Deputy Chairs of the ACCs, who are appointed by the Minister of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development & Local Government, are leading members of the local community. They and their committee members are drawn from the community, local business and government, and provide strategic leadership and direction to ACCs in fulfilling their charter and functions.

The Government recognises that optimal regional growth and development will only be achieved when regional communities manage change at the local level, realise their potential and plan for and lead their own development with the support of both the Government and the private sector.

However, this in turn will work best if there is an effective organisational arrangement in place that enables the Government to respond to each region's needs and that encourages the local community to take up the Government programmes designed to achieve these goals. It is this role that ACCs fulfil.

ACC Core Responsibilities

The ACC Charter comprises three core responsibilities from which activity is derived.

1. ACCs are a key facilitator of change and development in their region. To do this, ACCs know their region and communities well, from an economic, social and environmental perspective, by:

• Understanding the dynamics of their communities and region in terms of investment patterns and demographics;
• Searching out the unique strategic advantages in the region that generate growth and development, and determining what is making these communities thrive;
• Identifying and working in partnership with the leaders in the community who are able to build enthusiasm for new initiatives, and fostering their support;
• Identifying issues that are impacting on their communities, and determining the needs and priorities arising from these issues; and
• Being particularly conscious of any sector of disadvantage in their communities and region, and looking to ensure such disadvantage is addressed as a priority.

2. ACCs are the link between Government, business and the community. To achieve this, ACCs create and maintain cross-regional networks with all levels of government, particularly the Commonwealth Government, by:

• Promoting and disseminating information on Government policies and programmes, particularly those orientated towards business and communities;
• Informing Government of the impact of policies and programmes on business and the community;
• From a local community context, providing comment on, and as appropriate endorsement of, project proposals submitted for consideration under Government programmes; and
• Providing constructive and regular advice and feedback to Government on community needs, service and development requirements.

3. ACCs facilitate whole-of-government responses to opportunities in their communities. To achieve this, ACCs act as a catalyst and coordination point for regional development by:

• Drawing together the range of avenues and resources by which communities and regions can foster development;
• Working to maintain constructive alliances with all levels of government, business and the community;
• Actively identifying opportunities to bring whole-of-government solutions to community and regional issues; and
• Facilitating the development and submission of suitable project proposals by local proponents and sharing ownership of the results.

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For more information please contact:

Raymond D'Ambrosio
Executive Officer
Northern Territory Area Consultative Committee

Suite 26A Frances Bay Commercial Village,
Stuart Park Darwin Northern Territory
Phone: (08) 8941 7550 Fax: (08) 8941 7551
Email: eo@ntacc.com.au