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The
Chairs of the ACCs, who are appointed by the
Secretary of the Dept of Transport and
Regional Services, 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.
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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.
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The
ACC Charter comprises
THREE CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
from which all activity is derived. |
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1 - ACCs are
a key facilitator of change and development
in their regions.
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.
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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 Federal
Government by:
- promoting and disseminating information
on Government policies and programmes,
particularly those oriented towards business
& 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.
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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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The Government has determined the policies and
programmes it will instigate in support of regional
development. It has tasked Area Consultative Committees
with contributing to regional development in the
following priority areas arising from these policies:
- Supporting a planned, cooperative
approach to regional development,
particularly to the social and economic
impacts of structural change, in rural,
regional and metropolitan Australia;
- Improving the business and investment
environment in regions;
- Addressing pressing social issues faced
by regional communities, particularly
through building community skills and
capacity;
- Improving regional services,
particularly by encouraging Federal
Government programme take-up and support for
partnership solutions;
- A partnership
approach with indigenous communities to
bring whole of government solutions to
indigenous disadvantage;
- Encouraging the
growth of regional businesses and
employment; and
- Sustaining our natural
resources and environment
- Actively
seeking out those opportunities that arise
from the evolving economic, social and
technological environment that lend
themselves to / are suitable for joint /
private / public sector development
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In undertaking the above, the following key
principles will be embedded in and visible throughout
all ACC operations.
Accountability All Activities will comply with
good governance practices including sound administrative
decision-making, and open and accountable financial
management.
Ethical Practices All matters will be handled
with integrity and honesty, and in accord with relevant
legal obligations. All members will understand what
constitutes 'conflict of interest' and will openly
declare any conflict of interest, perceived or actual,
in relation to any discussion or decision of the ACC.
Inclusivity All activities will be conducted so
as to recognise the breadth of diversity across their
communities and so as to include appropriate
representation on their committees; from all within
their communities whenever possible.
Independence All activities will be conducted in
a non-partisan manner and in such a way as to be
beholden to no individual, group or organisation.
Openness All processes and decisions will be
transparent and open to scrutiny.
Performance orientation All activities will have clearly
defined and measurable performance goals and will be
evaluated against these goals in a timely manner.
Professionalism All activities and decisions will
have an orientation to quality.
The ACC will seek to be a model of best practice in
leadership in community development and capacity
building. |
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