Governing the City State - Chief Minister and Treasury Directorate ...

In addition to the RLF and its relationship with the NSW State Government, the ACT alsosupports other regional relationships, including:• the Regional Development Australia (RDA) ACT committee (established in 2007). Therole of RDA Committees is to provide support and advice on regional issues andinitiatives to various levels of government, and assist in the coordination of regionalplanning and development issues. In carrying out this role, RDA Committees workclosely with various levels of government and other regional organisations, includingother RDA Committees. RDA Committees can undertake and oversee specific regionaldevelopment projects; and• the Regional Organisation of Councils which are NSW partnerships between groups oflocal government entities to collaborate on matters of common interest. They are diversein size, structure and mandate, but are open to approaches from government andnon-government bodies where those bodies believe local government involvement wouldbe beneficial. There are four ROCs within the region covered by the RLF: South EasternRegion of Councils (SEROC); Southern Councils Group; Central NSW Councils; andRiverina Eastern Regional Organisation of Councils. The ROC with the majority of RLFmember councils is SEROC, with 12 of the 17 councils as members.The ACT also participates in the work of the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors. While atpresent support for this role is provided by the Department of Territory and MunicipalServices (TAMS), the Review believes this responsibility sits better in the proposed ChiefMinister’s Department.Outcomes from the Time to Talk ProcessThe outcomes of the Canberra 2030 - Time to Talk process were released on 24 January2011 and present a bold but achievable vision for the future of Canberra. The challenge willbe to continue the conversation with the community, and within the ACTPS about refinementof that vision, and how progress is made from vision to reality. It will require Government,business and the broader community to continue to talk, to partner and to focus on the futurechallenges identified during consultation:• population growth and the needs of young and old Canberrans;• management of resources, including energy, water and land;• housing affordability and diversity;• integrated and sustainable transport;• a compact city and quality urban development; and• Canberra’s role in the region.The vision emerging from the Time to Talk process includes:• Canberra will maintain its reputation as a “capital in the bush” and as a city known forclean air, open space and convenience;• Canberra will be at the centre of a region offering stimulating, highly skilled jobs in aclean green economy;Context for the Review: 41