Chapter 2 - The ACCs and SRACs
2.1
The Government Senators fully support the regional
funding model adopted by RPP and SRP, particularly the integral role served by
local bodies in ensuring successful outcomes for their regions. ACCs and SRACs
provide extensive support and assistance to proponents when developing
applications and are an invaluable source of local knowledge for the department
and the minister. The tireless work of the committed and motivated members of
ACCs and SRACs, most of whom are volunteers, ensures that these regional
programs deliver genuine, effective outcomes to the grass roots of local
communities. We wish to strongly congratulate the ACCs and SRACs for their
ongoing efforts in delivering excellent projects to their communities through RPP
and SRP.
2.2
The valuable work of the ACCs and SRACs needs
encouragement and support. Instead, this inquiry has placed a significant
resource burden on ACCs and SRACs, not in order to objectively and
systematically assess administrative processes but to fuel pre-determined
partisan objectives. The Government Senators wish to acknowledge and thank all
the ACCs and SRACs who contributed to the inquiry and responded to the
Committee's onerous requests for information. In doing so, these bodies showed
their processes and operations to be open, transparent and accountable.
2.3
The Government Senators appreciate the time and effort
that was required for the ACCs and SRACs to respond to the Committee's request.
We also understand that many of the conversations ACC and SRAC members have
with proponents are held in-confidence and divulging these has serious privacy
implications. The deliberations of ACCs and SRACs regarding projects are held
in-private. The Government Senators appreciate the serious concerns some ACCs
and SRACs had about making these deliberations public. ACCs and SRACs work hard
to establish and maintain the confidence of their communities and the
Committee's intention to make public their deliberations could impact on their
relationships with particular proponents and their communities in general.
Area Consultative Committees
2.4
As discussed in the majority report, the governance
arrangements for ACCs are rigorous. The rules and guidelines set out in the
ACCs' Handbook and Operational Funding Contact ensure that their operations are
above board and accountable. In addition, these bodies are incorporated under
relevant state and territory legislation and therefore must adhere to all relevant
reporting requirements.
2.5
The Government Senators welcome the majority report's
acknowledgment that effective ACCs are integral to delivering successful outcomes
through RPP. We support the majority report's observation that ACCs need to be adequately
resourced to operate effectively in their region. In particular, Government Senators
note that recent increases in petrol prices have created an unexpected increase
in the operating costs of ACCs, particularly those covering large geographic
areas in remote regions. For example, the Committee took evidence from the
chairman and executive officer of the Pilbara
ACC, which covers one-sixth of Australia's
continental landmass.[849] The Government
Senators recommend that ACCs' operating budgets should be adjusted to cater for
this unexpected cost increase.
2.6
The Government Senators also support the majority
Committee's call for a three year funding cycle for ACCs. We consider that
annual funding does not give ACCs the capacity to plan and operate as
strategically in their region as a longer-term funding cycle would afford. We
therefore recommend that rolling three year budgets be introduced in place of
the current annual operational funding contract.
2.7
Government Senators consider that the role and
operations of the ACCs can be further strengthened and expanded in two areas
not addressed in the recommendations of the majority report: ACC media and
marketing and ACC involvement in grant announcements.
2.8
Currently, ACCs' media relations activities are
curtailed by restrictions set out in their funding agreement with DOTARS.[850] ACCs are required to have every
media statement cleared by DOTARS, which can cause unworkable delays. Government
Senators recommend that the ACCs, as bodies with an important independent role
in RPP, be given more freedom in relation to their media activities.
2.9
Throughout the inquiry Committee members had the
opportunity to see the high quality marketing material produced by ACCs. Government
Senators are concerned at the resource demand placed on ACCs to produce this
material. To reduce duplication of cost and effort, Government Senators
recommend that template marketing material be developed for only minor
adjustment by individual ACCs.
2.10
The Government Senators consider that the valuable
contribution of the ACCs to RPP can be further maximised by involving ACCs in
funding announcements. ACCs work hard to bring forward meritorious projects for
funding under the RPP program. ACCs have a strong relationship with their
community, with the proponents they support and with the projects they help to
fund. It is logical for these bodies, that work closely with proponents often
over an extended period of time, to be involved in funding announcements. With
their knowledge of local projects and the circumstances in their local
communities, ACCs are well placed to assist in organising appropriate grant
announcements. Accordingly, the Government Senators recommend that ACCs be
advised of grant approvals in advance, and that they be encouraged to assist
with arranging grant announcements and any follow up matters relevant to their
local projects.
Sustainable Regions Advisory Committees
2.11
The Sustainable Regions Program provides an innovative
locational approach to regional development. As DOTARS described in a
submission to the inquiry:
[The SRP] assists these regions to plan for their future, build
capacity for strategic and informed decision making at the regional level and
contributes to the implementation of significant projects that can make a
difference to economic opportunity and quality of life.[851]
2.12
The Sustainable Regions Advisory Committees have an
integral role in ensuring that the local priorities of each region are
addressed by the program. As DOTARS explained to the Committee:
Strategic regional priorities for projects to be supported are
determined locally, with communities taking the lead in their own development.
Guidance is provided by a locally-based advisory committee comprising business,
government and community representatives, who are committed to making a
difference in their region.[852]
2.13
SRP projects must meet the region's strategic priorities
as well as the program criteria, ensuring that the projects delivered by SRP
meet the real needs of regional communities. SRAC's work hard to deliver these
outcomes, not only by helping to identify and articulate regional priorities,
but in bringing forward and assessing applications and providing funding
recommendations and advice to the Minister.
2.14
Government
Senators support the observations in the majority report regarding the strengths
of the Cradle Coast SRAC, its operations and the benefits it has delivered to
the Cradle Coast
region. We add that these outcomes are in no small measure a result of the
dedication of the members of the Cradle Coast Authority and commend Mr
Roger Jaensch,
Executive Chairman of the Authority and Chairman of the SRAC, for his excellent
service in delivering results for the region.
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