About Us - Overview
Introduction
The Regional Development Council (RDC) is the Ministerial Council responsible for regional development issues in Australia. It comprises the Australian Commonwealth, State/Territory and New Zealand Ministers responsible for regional development, and a representative from the Australian Local Government Association.
The Commonwealth Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government chairs the RDC. The Secretariat is located in the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.
Objective
The objective of RDC is to facilitate more effective cooperation across all spheres of government in order to achieve sustainable economic, social and environmental outcomes for regional Australia.
Meeting Arrangements
Meetings of the RDC are held at least once a year and are chaired by the Commonwealth Minister responsible for regional development. Meeting locations rotate throughout the jurisdictions. The RDC may also settle particular issues out-of-session by correspondence.
The outcomes of RDC meetings are contained in communiqués released at the end of each meeting.
Council of Australian Governments (COAG)
RDC is one of over 40 Commonwealth-State Ministerial Councils and fora that facilitate consultation and cooperation between the Australian Government and state and territory bodies in specific areas of policy. These councils develop policy reforms for consideration by COAG, and oversee the implementation of policy reforms agreed by COAG.
For more information, please visit the COAG website at www.coag.gov.au
Background
In June 2001 COAG agreed to a number of immediate changes to streamline the operation of Ministerial Councils. As a result, RDC was established by amalgamating regional development issues from the Industry, Technology and Regional Development Council and the informal Regional Development Ministers' meetings.