The Australian Government has announced two new appointments to the Regional Development Australia (RDA) Sunshine Coast committee.
Local businessman Tony Riddle has been appointed as Chair and Feda Adra as Deputy Chair.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said the three-year appointments would provide leadership to the RDA committee to drive economic growth and make the most of the potential capability of its region.
“RDA committees can play a key role in growing stronger regions across the nation and ensure all three tiers of government work together,” he said.
“The committees will advise on priority activities that will unlock regional economic development and improve the productivity of their region.
“RDA committees will also assist local community stakeholders to develop project proposals and direct them to appropriate public and/or private funding sources, including the $1 billion National Stronger Regions Fund.”
Mr Riddle said he was looking forward to this new challenge and supporting the positive contribution RDA Sunshine Coast made to the region’s economic development and growth.
“I’d like to thank retiring Chair Professor Max Standage for his service and the committee’s valuable work over the past three years, in particular RDA Sunshine Coast’s key role in leading the Digital Sunshine Coast program,” Mr Riddle said.
Ms Adra, Chief Executive of community services organisation ComLink, said she was honoured to have been selected into an important and influential role.
“RDA Sunshine Coast plays a key role in providing advice to the government about critical issues affecting our region and is an important mechanism to increase access to government programs in our communities,” she said.
Regional Development Australia consists of a national network of 55 committees designed to strongly focus on regional economic development and facilitate local projects that aim to make a difference in their local communities.