Great Southern Area Consultative Committee
transition to
Regional Development Australia (Great Southern)

STAKEHOLDER SURVEY

You are invited to participate in the opportunity to shape the Australian government’s new regional development network - Regional Development Australia. 

Your expertise is also sought to develop the priorities and direction for the new Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program which will operate from July 2009 to provide Australian government funding to meet the needs of your community. 

Please read the background paper prior to completing this survey.

The survey is in four sections:

Part One – Looks at key issues facing your region and the most needed types of local community infrastructure

Part Two - seeks your advice on improving engagement of regional communities, regional development organisations and local government with the Australian Government

Part Three – Asks you to provide feedback on the Regional Partnerships program and the role of the Perth ACC.

Part Four – seeks advice on the structure of the new Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program. 

This survey should take 15 - 20 minutes to complete.


Your organisation
1. Organisation Name
2. Organisational Department
3. What is your core business?
4. Define your boundary/region/service area
5. Key contact(s)
 
Phone Email
6. How do you plan for your organisation's future? (Tick all applicable boxes.)
A. Strategic Planning Process
B. Business Planning Process
C. Other (please state)

 

PART ONE
This section seeks information on the key issues facing your region and the most needed types of local community infrastructure that could encourage economic development in your area. Your advice will assist in planning on the basis of need across all Australian Government portfolios.

Your priorities
7. What are the five (5) key priorities affecting your area or community? (List from 1 to 5, with 1 being the highest priority.)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
8. What are your five (5) key strategies to tackle these priorities? (List from 1 to 5, with 1 being the highest priority.)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
9. What are the five (5) key projects that will address these priorities and strategies?
A. Small Business Initiatives
B. Community Projects
1.
1.
2.
2.
3.
3.
4.
4.
5.
5.
10. What are the most needed types of local community infrastructure which could encourage economic development that should be the target of future Federal Government funding programs?
The Government is seeking strategic advice on the types of community infrastructure that may increase economic investment, improve the job opportunities in regional Australia and enhance the liveability of regional centres.
Type of local community infrastructure
Timeframe (ie short, medium or long-term for your community)
Why is this a priority for your community?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.


PART TWO
This section seeks your advice on improving engagement of regional communities, regional development organisations and local government with the Australian Government.
Engaging with Regional Development Australia (RDA)
11. What are the reasons your organisation would consult with RDA? (Number from 1 to 5 or 6, with 1 being the highest priority.)
A. To source information on Federal Govt initiatives
B. To source information about Federal Govt funding
C. To assist in forming Federal Govt policy
D. To assist in developing Federal Govt programs
E. To access Federal Govt funding
F. Other (please state)
12. What do you think will be the most effective way for RDA to help with the current and future issues faced by your region? Please comment.
13. In what ways can communication between the Australian Government and the region be improved? Please comment.
14. How can the Australian Government best consult with the regions regarding new and existing services? Please comment.
15. RDA Committee Structure and Governance. Please provide your comments on:
1. Committee structure
2. Committee membership
3. Selection of Chairs
4. Role of RDA Board
5. Legal Organisation
6. Other
16. How would you like to engage with RDA? (You can choose more than one option.)
A. Individual consultation
B. Telephone
C. Email
D. Internet
E. Newsletter
F. Regional quarterly forum
G. RDA office situated in the region
H. RDA member to join your meetings
I. Your organisation to have representation on local RDA board
J. Other (please state)

 

PART THREE
This is your opportunity to provide feedback on the Regional Partnerships program and the role of the Great Southern ACC. The Regional Partnerships program operated from July 2003 to May 2008 and during this period, Regional Partnerships provided funding in excess of $3.7 million for projects across the whole of the Great Southern region. In real terms, this funding contributed to community projects with a value in excess of $12 million for the Great Southern region.
Regional Partnerships Program Feedback
17. How did you find out about Regional Partnerships? Please comment.
18. How do you rate the application form? Please tick the appropriate answer.
Word format Electronic format
A. Very well designed and logical A. Very well designed and logical
B. User friendly B. User friendly
C. Sought all the information required C. Sought all the information required
D. Difficult to use D. Difficult to use
Other (please comment) Other (please comment)
19. What were the advantages of ongoing open application rounds? Please comment.
20. What were the disadvantages of ongoing open application rounds? Please comment.
21. Would you prefer set funding rounds for future programs? Please comment.
22. How do you rate the assessment process for Regional Partnerships?
Comments

 

Great Southern ACC Role in Project Development
23. How do you rate the advice you received from Great Southern ACC in the following areas. Please tick the appropriate answer.
A. Guidelines and eligibility
Comments
B. Assessment process
Comments
C. Application process
Comments
24. How do you rate the feedback you received from Great Southern ACC on your project proposals?
Comments
25. To what extent did Great Southern ACC involvement contribute to the success of your application? Please comment.


Great Southern Area Consultative Committee Activities
26. Have you received assistance from Great Southern ACC on any other initiatives? (You may choose more than one option.)
A. Economic development strategies
B. Strategic Regional Planning
C. Project development strategies
D. Employment development initiatives
E. Australian Government Inquiries
F. Local knowledge and data
G. Local contacts and networks
H. Other
Comments
27. How do you rate the importance of Great Southern ACC provision of information on Australian Government funding and projects to your organisation?
Comments
28. How do you rate the importance of forums from other Australian Government agencies to yourself or your organisation?
1 - Very important
2 - Important
3 - Not very important
4 - Irrelevant
A. Migration Interaction
B. Employment Information
C. Tourism Industry Development Forums
D. Small Business Development
E. Grants Expo
29. Do the Great Southern ACC boundaries align with those of your key stakeholders, state planning or regional boundaries? Please comment.

 

PART FOUR
This is your opportunity to provide advice on the structure of the new Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program. The program will commence in July 2009 and take a strategic approach in responding to local priorities and needs. The program proposes to support major investments in regional and local community infrastructure projects.
Principles and Priorities for New Funding Program
30. What types of communities or regions should the program target? Please comment.
31. How should “regional” be defined? What is a region? What are the characteristics of a region? Is it a geographic, economic or community of interest? Please comment.
32. What types of organisations should be eligible for funding? (You may choose more than one option.)
A. Local government
B. Not for profit community based
C. Private enterprise
D. Other
Comments
33. How should funding be distributed?
A. Fully competitive merit based national program
B. A geographical or state basis
C. Structured funding rounds
D. Continuous application process
E. Other
Comments
34. How should the program be assessed? What decision making processes should be followed? Please comment.
35. Should there be a partnership approach to funding? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Please comment.
36. How should the community determine the level priority for projects and their link to strategic regional direction? Please comment.
37. How do you rate your community’s capacity to be involved in different stages of the program? Please tick the appropriate answer.
A. Identifying projects
Comments
B. Developing applications
Comments
C. Seeking partnership funding
Comments
D. Implementing projects
Comments
E. Administering contracts and undertaking acquittal
Comments