Page 922 - Week 03 - Thursday, 28 February 2013

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(a) that the ACT acts as a regional centre to the surrounding regions of NSW; and

(b) that the ACT Government has an ongoing relationship with the NSW Government and surrounding local governments;

(2) a Select Committee on Regional Development be established;

(3) the select committee shall consist of two members nominated by the Government and two members nominated by the Opposition, to be nominated to the Speaker by 4 pm on this sitting day;

(4) the select committee shall inquire and report into the ACT’s relationship with the surrounding region, including, but not limited to:

(a) the identification of opportunities and supporting governance structures to coordinate economic development, including tourism and transport across the region;

(b) the coordination of service planning and service delivery, particularly in the areas of health and education;

(d) further cooperation at the local government level on environmental and conservation matters and building community resilience to deal with natural disasters, extreme weather events and climate change; and

(e) any other relevant matter; and

(5) the select committee shall report no later than the last sitting week in September 2013.

The ACT government’s relationship with the greater capital region is, in part, reflected through the ACT-New South Wales memorandum of understanding for regional collaboration. The importance that I place in our regional relationships is reflected also in the establishment of the Regional Development portfolio. The terms of reference for the select committee outlined in the motion I table today are a further example of my desire to see a commitment to our engagement and activities with the surrounding region. Examining the opportunities stemming from cooperation and collaboration across the greater capital region is outlined in the terms of reference as underpinning the work of the committee. The ACT government already participates in a number of fora which we use to engage with the region.

I mentioned in the Assembly in the last sitting that I was going to attend the meeting of the South East Regional Organisation of Councils in Yass. I took the opportunity when there to meet individually with the mayors of Palerang, Goulburn-Mulwaree councils, Yass Valley, as well as with the mayor of Queanbeyan City Council in the last week. All the mayors and their respective councils have a direct relationship with

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