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LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO SUFFER UNDER REGIONAL APPROACH February 2, 2009 The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester believes that local communities will suffer under the Rudd Labor Government's plan to overhaul regional development boards. The Federal Government is proposing to merge the Gippsland Area Consultative Committee (GACC) into a new regional development board under Regional Development Australia (RDA). "I fear that merging the GACC into a larger, regional board will provide the community with a service that is less focused on Gippsland's development," Mr Chester said. "Here in Gippsland we have been fortunate to have the service of a highly skilled and capable volunteer board and some excellent administrators to support them. "One of the great strengths of the GACC is its close connection to the community. "I fear that some of the experience and spirit will be lost under the new model and that the capacity of staff to service the Gippsland community will be reduced. "We've already seen the Rudd Government abolish the small business assistance program and replace it with an office based in Dandenong." Mr Chester said he was also concerned about the Federal Labor Government's decision to rule out funding for private sector projects that would boost economic development and job opportunities. "If local communities are to benefit, the level of regional development funding must be at least maintained," Mr Chester said. "At a time of rising unemployment, when job opportunities, particularly in regional areas, are going to become tighter and tighter, I believe that seed funding can really make a different to commercial entities." |