About
Supporting economic development across NSW regionsRegional Development Australia (RDA) Sydney is part of a national network of Committees made up of local leaders who work with all levels of government, business, and community groups to support the economic development of their regions.
RDA Sydney supports the NSW RDA network to grow strong and confident regional economies that harness competitive advantages, seize economic opportunities, and attract investment.
We do this by working with city-based stakeholders and the NSW RDA network to identify and support economic development opportunities for the regions.
Our Vision
Sustainable and inclusive community prosperity across all NSW and ACT regions.
Our Mission
To support inclusive and sustainable regional economic and community development.
Our Goals
- Support the delivery of the Australian Government’s Regional Investment Framework
- Build relationships and reinforce NSW Government linkages
- Raise the profile of RDA NSW & ACT Brand to key stakeholders
- Lead a statewide RDA NSW & ACT perspective on strategic priorities
Our Approach
Using strong evidence-based analysis, we promote the economic and liveability opportunities presented by the NSW regions.
And we support the NSW RDA network through meaningful:
- Strategic Engagement;
- Regional foresight and intelligence; and
- Influencing and advocacy.
Our Team
Therese O'Dwyer
Julie McAlpin
Elizabeth Ginis
Regional Development Australia Charter
Strong, CONNECTED Regions
Regional Development Australia Committees (RDAs) are critical to the delivery of this vision, including supporting the successful implementation of the Australian Government’s Regional Investment Framework (RIF), which will guide a more coordinated approach to regional development, underpinned by local engagement.
RDAs play a role in helping to drive economic growth, innovation and entrepreneurship in regions through facilitating investment in community, industry and the environment. RDAs assist to bridge the regional development gaps in regions by working with a broad range of stakeholders across sectors and supporting the delivery of identified Australian Government strategic priorities.
As representatives of their local communities, RDAs will:
• focus their activities and strategy on delivery of the RIF in their region, including investment in people, places, services, and industries and local economies
• support regional stakeholders, including local government and the not-for-profit-sector, to seek grant opportunities that advance strategic regional priorities
• support decarbonisation efforts and the transformation to a net zero economy and enable regional linkages between sectors to achieve these aims
• build the evidence for economic development, including innovation and diversification strategies
• facilitate meaningful engagement across the three levels of government to ensure investments deliver better outcomes for regions, and
• contribute relevant data and local intelligence to support the evidence base to inform regional development strategies, program design and policy responses.
RDAs use their local, cross-sector expertise and regional voice to:
• collaborate with integrity, transparency, respect and accountability
• engage with diverse communities, especially First Nations people
• support the Government’s ambition of ‘no one held back and no one left behind’, and
• support gender equality opportunities in their regions.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How is RDA Sydney funded?
Regional Development Australia (RDA) Sydney is part of the Australian Government’s Regional Development Australia program, which supports economic development across Australia’s regions.
The national RDA program is administered by the Australian Government department responsible for regional development and is funded by the Australian Government, with additional state, territory or local government funding in some jurisdictions.
RDA Sydney operates within this national framework, supporting regional economic development, stakeholder engagement and collaboration across NSW and the ACT.
Who governs RDA Sydney?
RDA Sydney is governed by a Board comprising experienced leaders from business, government, industry and the community.
The Board provides strategic direction and oversight, while the management team is responsible for the organisation’s operations, stakeholder engagement and delivery of its activities.
RDA Sydney’s Board brings expertise across economic development, investment, infrastructure, government policy and other sectors relevant to regional growth.
Information about the Board, its members and the management team is available on RDA Sydney’s website here.
What is the Regional Development Australia Charter?
The Regional Development Australia (RDA) Charter sets out the responsibilities and priorities of Australia’s RDA network.
It guides RDAs in supporting the Australian Government’s Regional Investment Framework, which focuses on investment in people, places, services, industries and local economies.
The Charter emphasises economic development, collaboration across government and industry, evidence-based regional planning and locally informed advice to government.
It also identifies priorities including workforce development, grant opportunities, industry diversification, decarbonisation and stronger regional communities.
Discover the Charter here.
What are RDA Sydney's strategic priorities?
RDA Sydney’s strategic priorities centre on strengthening regional economies and supporting sustainable, inclusive development across NSW and the ACT.
Its goals include supporting the Australian Government’s Regional Investment Framework, strengthening relationships with NSW Government agencies, raising the profile of the RDA NSW & ACT Network and advancing a collective regional perspective on strategic priorities.
RDA Sydney pursues these goals through strategic engagement, regional foresight and intelligence, and policy advocacy, helping connect regional knowledge and opportunities with metropolitan decision-makers.
Find out more here.
How does RDA Sydney contribute to regional development policy and government decision-making?
RDA Sydney works with the NSW & ACT RDA Network to bring regional perspectives into government policy discussions.
Drawing on the knowledge and experience of the 12 regionally based RDAs, it helps coordinate submissions to parliamentary inquiries and government consultations on issues affecting regional communities and economies.
These include infrastructure, workforce development, housing, migration, access to essential services and industry growth.
This collective approach helps communicate regional priorities to government and supports more informed policy and investment decisions.