Rural and Regional Taskforce

About the Rural and Regional Taskforce

On 25 June 2007 the Premier, Morris Iemma, announced the establishment of a Rural and Regional Taskforce (RRT) to examine and provide advice on key economic, environmental and social issues affecting rural and regional communities across NSW.

The Taskforce will undertake its review in the rural areas of NSW outside the Hunter, Illawarra, Central Coast and Sydney.

It will also invite public submissions, hold public forums and consult with individuals, business and community groups, local government and other stakeholders with an interest in rural and regional areas.

The Premier has requested the Taskforce provide its final report in February 2008.

Taskforce Membership

Dr Col Gellatly (Chairperson)
Former Director General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

The Hon. Richard Torbay
Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly, and Member for Northern Tablelands.

Mr Steve Whan
Member for Monaro and Convenor of Country Labor.


Terms of Reference

The Taskforce has been requested to:

  • Examine the profile of, and demographic trends in, individual rural and regional areas;
  • Examine the current and emerging factors driving changes in demand for, and the delivery of, services to rural and regional communities; and
  • Identify potential actions to address current and emerging economic, environmental and social issues affecting rural and regional communities across NSW.

In giving effect to the above, the Taskforce will:

  • Examine other relevant review processes which have been, or are being, undertaken at the local, State and Commonwealth levels in relation to these issues;
  • Invite public submissions, hold public forums and consult with individuals, business and community groups, local government and other stakeholders with an interest in rural and regional areas; and
  • Conduct its work while considering existing NSW Government policies, including the State Plan and other relevant policy documents.

This will provide information to assist the Taskforce to prepare a report for the Premier by February 2008 on issues and challenges facing rural and regional communities, and possible options to address them.


Consultation Meeting Dates

The RRT Consultation Forums are scheduled as follows:

Town/City Date Region
Parkes 23 August Western (Central West and Orana)
Cooma 4 September South East
Wagga Wagga 5 September Riverina-Murray
Armidale 29 October* New England-North West
Grafton 30 October* North Coast
Broken Hill 19 November* Western (Far West inc. part of Riverina-Murray)
*Dates to be confirmed

Consultation Meeting Format

The general format for the forum in each location is as follows. The Taskforce may elect, however, to modify the format at its discretion to suit local circumstances.

Time Activity Participants
10:30am - 12:30pm Local Government Session Council Mayors & General Managers
 2:00pm -  4:00pm Community Leaders and Peak Groups Session Representatives of local, regional or state based organisations (eg - Aboriginal, business, labour, community, farm, environmental groups)
 5:30pm -  7:30pm Community Members Session Members of the general public

Note:

  • Local Government representatives participating in the first session will be able to participate in later sessions (Community Leaders and Peak Groups, Community Members) if they wish.
  • Community Leader and Peak Group participants in the second session will be able to participate in the later Community Members session if they wish.

The Taskforce also intends to meet with relevant peak State organisations separately.


Registering to attend a Consultation Meeting

You must register to attend a local Consultation Meeting.

Invitations are being sent to representatives of local councils, community organisations, community leaders, regional organisations (such as for business, labour, agricultural, environmental) and communities.

Members of the community are encouraged to register and/or make a submission. The Taskforce is keen to hear from individuals.

If you wish to attend a consultation meeting please register to do so. This is required whether or not you intend to make a submission.

If you are unable to attend a consultation meeting and would like you concerns to be considered by the Taskforce, please send a submission.

Registration can be by email to the Taskforce rrt@dpc.nsw.gov.au or by contacting the relevant Regional Office of the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) during business hours. You will receive written confirmation of registration and details for the consultation meetings.


Consultation Forum Location   Registration Contact
Parkes
23 August		 DPC Western Office (Dubbo)
Telephone: 6884 7404
Cooma
4 September		 DPC South-East Office (Queanbeyan)
Telephone: 6124 3000
Wagga Wagga
5 September		 DPC Riverina-Murray Office (Wagga Wagga)
Telephone: 6921 3588
Armidale
29 October*		 DPC New England-North West Office (Armidale)
Telephone: 6771 5781
Grafton
30 October*		 DPC North Coast Office (Coffs Harbour)
Telephone: 6648 7237
Broken Hil
19 November*		 DPC Western Office (Dubbo)
Telephone: 6884 7404

*Dates to be confirmed


Lodging a Submission

The Taskforce invites submissions on important rural and regional issues to inform its work. Submissions will be accepted up to 14 December 2007.

Submissions may be lodged electronically, through the link on this page, to the Taskforce's email address rrt@dpc.nsw.gov.au or in hard copy to the following address:

       NSW Rural and Regional Taskforce
       Department of Premier and Cabinet
       GPO Box 5341
       SYDNEY NSW 2001

Submissions should be made in the context of the Terms of Reference of the Taskforce and should generally be limited to no more than 2 pages per key issue. There is not a limit to the number of issues that may be raised within a submission.

However, to assist the Taskforce, it is requested that each issue should be presented as a separate section in the following format:

  • The Name of the person or organisation making the submission;
  • Title, indicating the nature of the issue;
  • Discussion of the issue and, if appropriate,
  • Recommendations on how the issue may be addressed.

If it is necessary to include background information or detailed attachments, please place these at the end of the relevant issue, not within the Discussion section, or send them separately by post if very large. This will allow you opportunity to more clearly express your concerns and ideas.

If you wish to allow the Taskforce time to consider your submission prior to its consultation meeting in your region, please ensure that it is received two weeks in advance of that meeting (except for Parkes where they will need to be received by 21 August).

Please note, submissions will become the property of the Taskforce and it is not possible to return them. The Taskforce may quote submissions in its reports, although try and ensure that the identity of the maker is not disclosed (for example, "a community member", "a local council", "the CEO of a community organisation").

Note:
You can lodge a submission without seeking to attend a Consultation Meeting, however you must separately register if you also wish to attend a Consultation Meeting session.

Lodge a Submission:
Email : rrt@dpc.nsw.gov.au