Councils, local organisations, businesses, professional people and individuals have a window of one month to put their submissions to the NSW Government’s Decentralisation Taskforce by the deadline, Friday, February 15.
Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay, who will chair the Taskforce with fellow MPs Glen Aplin (Albury), Craig Bauman (Port Stephens), Thomas George (Lismore) and Paul Toole (Bathurst) said there would also be public consultations in some regional locations.
“I have received a lot of positive feedback since the Taskforce was announced in November and I would urge all those with views about which government departments and agencies might relocate to put forward their submissions,” he said.
“Taskforce members all represent regional electorates and are of one mind in working with the government to put some muscle behind achieving meaningful decen-tralisation outcomes and higher levels of regional development.
“It has been on govern-ment agendas for years and, while there has been some progress, it is nothing like what is needed. Not only is the environment right with advances in technology, but it would also create jobs and capacity in the regions.”
The Taskforce has been asked to specifically address the government’s Regional Relocation Program, the Jobs Action Plan (regional), Restart NSW (regional), Resources for the Region and government agency relocation to the regions.
“This is an extremely positive initiative and the Taskforce members will make the most of the opportunity to canvas a broad range of views on the issues and to make recommendations that will achieve real outcomes for regional communities,” Mr Torbay said.
“I regard developing regional economies as one of the most important challenges facing governments today.”
Submissions can be made to website www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/decentralisation from Friday January 18.
