RDA Riverina represented at NSW and ACT regional development meeting
Brett Stonestreet, Chair, RDA Riverina, and Patricia Wilkinson. Deputy Chair, RDA Riverina
On Tuesday, 4 August 2026, a meeting of New South Wales and ACT RDA Committee Chairs and CEOs was held at Parliament House in Sydney. The RDA Riverina Committee was represented by myself as Chair, the Deputy Chair, Patricia Wilkinson, and Acting CEO Amanda Cappello.
During the meeting, Anna Guillan AM was re-elected as Chair and Rowena Abbey OAM was re-elected as Deputy Chair.
The meeting provided an important opportunity to raise regional priorities directly with fellow RDA leaders, Australian Government representatives and NSW Government decision-makers. It also reinforced the value of the RDA network in presenting a coordinated regional perspective on matters that extend beyond individual council and regional boundaries.
A major focus of discussion was the future of Inland Rail and the consequences of the suspension of construction north of Narromine. Representatives received a presentation from Port of Newcastle Executive Manager Corporate Affairs Lucas Coleman concerning the potential economic and freight impacts of the suspension.
Inland Rail remains critically important to regional NSW, particularly for agricultural producers, manufacturers and exporters seeking efficient and competitive access to domestic and international markets.
The meeting also considered an update on the joint RDA submission concerning Inland Rail and received a Commonwealth Government briefing on the administration and future direction of the national RDA program.
Other matters included the work being undertaken by metropolitan RDAs, workforce and skilled-migration initiatives, including the RDA Orana Designated Area Migration Agreement, and preparations for the National RDA Forum to be held on 16 and 17 November 2026.
We also welcomed the opportunity to hear from the Hon. Ryan Park MP, NSW Minister for Health and Regional Health. Access to health services, workforce shortages and the long-term sustainability of regional health systems remain significant issues for communities throughout the Riverina and other regional areas in New South Wales.
The Minister's participation enabled RDA representatives to discuss regional challenges and emphasise the importance of solutions that respond to the circumstances of individual communities rather than applying a uniform metropolitan model.
Following the meeting, a function titled Friends of Regional NSW was held at NSW Parliament House.
The function brought together RDA New South Wales and ACT chairs, deputy chairs, chief executive officers, and approximately 30 political leaders, including several Ministers, and senior New South Wales Government departmental staff.
The Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional NSW and Minister for Western NSW, the Hon. Tara Moriarty MLC, delivered the keynote address.
Minister Moriarty welcomed those present and highlighted the importance of the relationship between Regional Development Australia organisations and the NSW Government.
The Minister acknowledged the numerous programs and projects delivered by RDAs across NSW and highlighted the success of the Welcome Experience program, which has now been extended across all local government areas in regional NSW.
The Welcome Experience assists essential workers and their families to settle into regional communities by helping them access local services, networks and information. Its expansion reflects the positive results achieved through collaboration between government, RDAs and regional communities.
A six-minute video produced by the RDA Network was also presented during the evening. The video highlighted a selection of successful projects and initiatives delivered by the NSW RDA Committee network during the past 12 months.
The function provided an excellent opportunity to strengthen relationships with Ministers, parliamentarians, departmental representatives and colleagues from across the RDA network. These relationships are important in ensuring that regional priorities are understood and considered in government policy, investment and program delivery.
RDA Riverina will continue to advocate for infrastructure, services and policy settings that enable our region to grow, attract investment and provide strong employment and lifestyle opportunities.
Participation in meetings and events of this kind ensures that the Riverina's interests are represented in discussions with both levels of government and that our regional priorities form part of the broader state and national development agenda.
Images courtesy of Regional NSW & ACT by Camera Creations: L-R: Amanda Cappello, Acting CEO, RDA Riverina, The Hon, Tara Moriarty MLC, NSW Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, and Brett Stonestreet, Chair, RDA Riverina
Brett Stonestreet, Chair, RDA Riverina, and Patricia Wilkinson, Deputy Chair, RDA Riverina
Images courtesy of Regional NSW & ACT by Camera Creations
Images courtesy of Regional NSW & ACT by Camera Creations: The Hon, Tara Moriarty MLC, NSW Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW
Images courtesy of Regional NSW & ACT by Camera Creations
Committee Meeting
