Wide Bay Burnett Area Consultative Committee

Welcome to the Wide Bay Burnett Area Consultative Committee website. The Wide Bay Burnett Area Consultative Committee Inc. (WBBACC) is a not-for-profit, community-based organisation working in partnership with business, community and government to deliver sustainable economic and community development in our region, which encompasses 6 Local Government Shires in Southern Queensland.

Regional Update

The WBBACC's fortnightly e-newsletter 'Regional Update' is our main communication tool and provides you with the latest information on events, grants, training and a host of other information distributed by the Australian Government and other key stakeholder organisations. This newsletter is a must-read for all persons interested in business and community development. To read the latest edition please CLICK HERE.

Network News

Click here to see electronic versions of the latest WBBACC hardcopy newsletters.

Events

The WBBACC will be holding a series of Public Meetings accross the Wide Bay Burnett region to consult with the community on 1) the transition from ACC's to Regional Development Australia and 2) the proposed new regional development funding program.

The Public Meetings will be held as per the schedule below:

Biggenden (Ceneral Burnett) - 9.00am - Tuesday 29 July 2008 - Rose Gallery Coffe Shop - 23 George St
Gayndah (North Burnett)      - 12noon - Tuesday 29 July 2008 - Orange Hotel/Motel - 3 Maltby Place
Bundaberg (Bundaberg region)- 5.30pm - Tuesday 29 July 2008 - Qld Govt. Regional Development Centre - 205 Bourbong Street, Bundaberg
Maryborough (Fraser Coast) - 9.00am - Wednesday 30 July 2008 - 'The Globe' 190 Cheapside St.
Gympie (Cooloola region)      - 1.30pm - Wednesday 30 July 2008 - Gympie Civic Centre (Fossickers Room)
Kingaroy (South Burnett)       - 5.30pm - Wednesday 30 July 2008 - South Burnett Enterprise Centre - 6 Cornish St.

These events are scheduled to be approximately 1 hour in duration and light refreshments will be provided. No RSVP required. Please just turn up if you would like to participate and CLICK HERE for further information.

NEW ARRANGEMENTS FOR ACC's

The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, The Hon Anthony Albanese MP announced on 20 March 2008 that Area Consultative Committees (ACC'S) would provide the basis for the creation of Regional Development Australia (RDA). CLICK HERE to view a copy of the Ministerial Statement.

In the transition period, the information on this website should be used only as a guide to the functions and activities of the RDA network. This website will be updated frequently until the transition to RDA is complete.

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUSTRALIA (RDA) COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY (happening NOW)

The Area Consultative Committee (ACC) Network across Australia has been tasked by the Australian Government to consult with regional communities about a number of issues surrounding the future of regional development. The Government is looking at a number of new regional initiatives (including the transition of ACC’s to Regional Development Australia (RDA) on 1 January 2009) to ensure that investments in regional Australia promote sustainable economic growth, benefit the community as a whole and demonstrate their strong commitment to regional Australia.

For more information on what is happening with the new Regional Development Programs or to download the Feedback Questionnaire please - CLICK HERE.

The Australian Government has recently announced that the Regional Partnerships program is now closed.

No new RPP applications will be accepted by the Department and applications currently under assessment will not be considered for funding. Projects approved by the previous government, but without a fully executed funding agreement, are withdrawn.

Applicants will be formally notified by letter of the programme’s closure. For more information please call the Regional Partnerships Information Line - 1800 038 160 or go to http://www.regionalpartnerships.gov.au/partnerships/index.aspx.

For a special Budget edition of the WBBACC's - 'Report to the Community' - CLICK HERE