Policy & Submissions

Click on the link below to view RAPAD policies and submissions:

Central Western Queensland Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD)
Response to the Australian Governments 'Backhaul Blackspots Initiative Stakeholder Consultation Paper'

RAPAD is a regional development agency and regional organisation of councils owned by the seven Local Governments of Central Western Queensland. The area encompassed by RAPAD is classified remote and very remote, covering an area approximately 23% of Queensland's land mass.

Background 

On 23 April 2009 the Australian Government released the 'Backhaul Blackspots Initiative Stakeholder Consultation Paper'. The Australian Government states that in regional areas where competing backhaul networks are not present there is little pressure on a supplier to offer low prices and higher quality services. Therefore it will invest up to $250 million to improve the supply of transmission services, also referred to as backhaul, to a number of regional centres where there is a lack of competitive backhaul services ('blackspots').


Click here to Download: RAPAD Backhaul Blackspots submission





Submission into the Inquiry into a New Regional Development Funding Program

The Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD) is a regional development agency and regional organisation of councils owned by and representing the seven local governments of Central Western Qld. Combined, these local governments cover an area nearly one third of Queensland's land mass. The area is classified very remote and is truly 'Outback Queensland'.

RAPAD has been in existence for seventeen years and is a respected model of community and local government collaboration and cooperation. RAPAD's governance is via a Board of Directors, currently the Mayors of the local government members. Three Mayors have associations with the regions Area Consultative Committee (CQACC), although that is not a formal RAPAD/CQACC relationship.

Click here to Download: Final Submission RDA Fed enquiry


Safe, Sealed Eastern Central Australian Roads:
Triple Bottom Line National and Regional Benefits.

This submission to Infrastructure Australia is directed at the Australian Government's national transport project and intends to demonstrate that, by sealing and rehabilitating the roads through the Winton, Boulia, Diamantina and Barcoo shires, especially west of Boulia to Alice Springs and into South Australia via Birdsville to Maree:-

1. National productivity in the beef and tourism industries will be increased - primarily through    reduction in transport overheads and increases in transport efficiencies

2. Australia's international competitiveness in the above two industries will be strenghthened because of reduced transport costs

3. Investment in capital Infrasructure throughout this relatively indeveloped inland region would significantly increase, due to an expanded demographic of touristswho would be able to visit the region without restrictions on the type of transport used. More importantly, all weather roads would provide the basis on which these small inland communities could develop the infrastructure necessary socioeconomic sustainability and

4. Quality of life would be improved for residents and those who can then visit them and enjoy the reala "Outback" but, more impotantly, reliable and safer roads leads to certainty of supply, and increased economic and social amenity for visitors and the families domiciled throughouth the region.

(after joint Media Statement AA150/2008 07/10/08
MPs Hon Kevin Rudd & Hon Anthony Albanese)

Click here to Download: Submission









RAPAD Response: Developing a consumer health council for Queensland

RAPAD is a regional organisation of councils and the regions peak regional development agency. It is governed by a Board of Directors who are elected by and represent each of the member Shire Councils. Through this structure RAPAD takes a strategic engagement and advocacy approach to many issues facing rural remote Qld.

RAPAD’s manager, Mr David Arnold is also a representative on the CW District Health Council.

Click here to download: RAPAD Response: Developing a consumer health council for Queensland


RAPAD Submission to the Department of Natural Resources, Mines & Water GAB Resource Operations Plan

The Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD) acknowledge the importance of the Regional Operation Plan (ROP) for the protection and sustainable management of the Great Artesian Basin. Water is a vital resource in the Central West.

RAPAD recognises that the water resource must be managed to meet the reasonably foreseeable needs of future generations but it should not be at the expense of current generations. Allocations must be sufficient to sustain the physical, economic and social well-being of the region as a whole and facilitate the economic development of the Central West shires.



RAPAD Submission to Senate Economics Legislation Committee Inquiry into the Price of Petrol in Australia

This submission takes its reference from the “regional differences in the retail price
of petrol� and “other related matters�. Its focus is:

the impact of high petrol and fuel prices including the fuel excise component on Outback and remote area production, enterprises, industries, communities and householders within RAPAD’s region – Queensland’s central west.

Click here to download: RAPAD Submission to Senate Economics Legislation Committee Inquiry into the Price of Petrol in Australia


Objection to the AEC on the proposed seat of Wright

RAPAD, as a regional economic development organisation and regional organisation of councils represents eleven shires in Central Western Queensland – Longreach, Boulia, Aramac, Ilfracombe, Isisford, Barcoo, Diamantina, Winton, Tambo, Blackall, Barcaldine.

At our 29, 30 June 2006 Board meeting, directors resolved that an objection be lodged with the Australian Electoral Commission opposing the proposal to place the shires of Aramac, Longreach, Winton, Barcaldine, Blackall, Ilfracombe, Isisford and Tambo in the proposed seat of ‘Wright’. The broad rationale being that these eight shires have little economic, social or environmental links to the coastal and hinterland regions identified in the proposed new seat.

Click here to download: Objection to the AEC on the proposed seat of Wright

RAPAD Submission to DCITA Discussion Paper on Broadband Connect / Clever Networks

Click here to download: RAPAD Submission - Broadband Connect / Clever Networks

RAPAD’s notes the intent of Broadband Connect and Clever Networks and offers its support for the aims and policy objectives of both. That said, government must not adopt a ’one-size fits all’ approach in the implementation, as the very policies and aims which have great potential will under-deliver if a ‘one size’ approach is adopted.

Government must stimulate ICT uptake and infrastructure provision in rural, regional and remote areas, if ours and similar regions throughout Australia are to continue to contribute to the growth of states and the nation.


RAPAD Submission to Blueprint for the Bush Discussion Paper

Review of Health

Click here to download: RAPAD Submission - Review of Health
Click here to download: RAPAD Review of Health & Human Services: A Blueprint for the Future

Health is one of the major building blocks of a vibrant strong community. RAPAD will submit a response to the Blueprint for the Bush however this major project serves as our regions response on the matter of health.

ICT Infrastructure

Click here to download: RAPAD Submission - ICT Infrastructure

Increasingly the future of Central Western Queensland (CWQ), like other regional, rural and remote areas, is being influenced by the global uptake of information and communication technology (ICT). Paramount to ensuring a positive future for rural communities is the commitment and assurance by both State and Federal Governments to maintain and upgrade existing ICT infrastructure.

Building our Rural Communities and Developing our Rural Communities

Click here to download: RAPAD Submission - Building & Developing our Rural Communities

Several environmental, economic and social factors adversely affecting Central Western Queensland, have contributed to a significant decline in the population of the region during the past 20 years. Motivated by these statistics and its mission to plan, facilitate and encourage sustainable growth for the future of outback Queensland, RAPAD assumed the lead in developing a project, involving government, business and community, to work toward a sustainable future for CWQ.

Geothermal Power, HDFR

Click here to download: RAPAD Submission - Geothermal Power, HDFR

Energy generation from HDFR offers potentially huge benefits not only rural and remote areas but also to the state and the nation. Indications are that the necessary resource lies in abundance under much of the Central and South West region of Queensland. This source of energy is a truly sustainable source of energy production for not only rural and remote areas but also the state and nation as a whole.

RAPAD is aware of new legislation allowing exploration for the resource, however RAPAD believes the State has to take a far more active role and provide stimulus to potential investors in this market.

Housing

Click here to download: RAPAD Submission - Housing

Housing is a major issue for local government in the Central Western region and as such, it is a priority area under RAPAD’s strategic plan. One of the major issues arising in the lesser populated towns and shires is the reluctance of lending institutions to loan money for housing in rural and remote areas. This fosters an environment where renting is the only manner in which low income earners can access housing. This is detrimental to the long term sustainability of small communities.

Education, Central West Learning Community Cooperative

Click here to download: RAPAD Submission - Education, Central West Learning Community Cooperative

If our region is to be a ‘smart’ region, communities must have access to high quality education and training opportunities – in this region. Research shows that the opportunity to train and educate (young) people in a rural and remote region facilitates their stay in the communities. This proposal is consistent with contemporary research into ‘innovative’ rural communities, and it is also consistent with the Beattie Governments priorities.

People and Policy

Click here to download: RAPAD Submission - People and Policy

The people of Central Western Queensland are our regions greatest assets. The region’s unique culture is typified by resourcefulness, innovation, hard work and humour. Whilst we have offered submissions across a range of areas, they all have one thing in common – people.

Zonal Taxation Reform

Click here to download: Open Letter: Zonal Taxation Reform

Our board has taken an active role in lobbying government on this issue, specifically raising the current inequities of the zonal taxation system. RAPAD seeks an Australian-wide response to zonal taxation reform. RAPAD seeks rural and remote representative organisations views and feedback on this important issue.


RAPAD Review of Health & Human Services: Impacts & Recommendations for Government & Community; A Blueprint for the Future

Click here to download: Health Review

Local governments in western Queensland have flagged the continued provision and development of adequate, equitable and safe health and human services for communities in the Central West as an area of interest and concern, seeking to improve the overall access and availability of regional health services as part of the broader context of regional development.

The report maps existing Central West health service information and sets out to determine areas of importance for future service provision and models of delivery, highlighting an overall need for increased services and more local involvement in decision making.

Outcome

An independent review of Queensland Health’s systems was announced by the Premier on April 26 2005. The review, headed by Peter Forster of The Consultancy Bureau, is supported by a team comprising people from the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Queensland Treasury, Queensland Police Service, Department of Public Works and Queensland Health.

The Queensland Health Systems Review Interim Report was released in July 2005. This report included preliminary findings and principles for consideration.

The final report of the Queensland Health Systems Review was released in September 2005. This report includes the findings of the review, principles and recommendations for improving health outcomes for Queenslanders.

Click here to download: Queensland Health Systems Review
Click here to download: Recommendations
Click here to download: Greg Eustache Report - Access to Health Services

Outcome

Excerpt from RAPAD report:
Review of Health and Human Services: Impacts and Recommendations for Government and Community; a Blueprint for the Future

Issue:
Workforce recruitment and retention

Recommendation 2.4:
Extend scholarships schemes for rural and remote undergraduate allied health students in line with other health sectors.

Response by NRHA:
Media Release, 7 November 2005 - Great news for rural and remote allied health

Relating to announcement by Minister Abbott of a new undergraduate scholarship for allied health disciplines is great news for people in rural and remote areas.

Click here to download: RAPAD Recommendation & NRHA Media Release

Outcome Synopsis

RAPAD delivered an extensive response to the Qld Health Forster review. Many findings and recommendations in the Foster review are consistent with / or reflect our reports findings. As a monitoring and evaluation tool and as an information source, RAPAD has provided a synopsis of the Forster review, specific to the alignment to our report and those matters affecting rural and remote regions.

Click here to download: RAPAD Summary of Foster Report
Click here to download: Foster Report Executive Summary
Click here to download: Foster Report Summary of Recommendations
Click here to download: Synopsis of RAPAD Recommendations to Local Government
[as contained in the RAPAD Review of Health & Human Services report and specific to findings in the Foster report]

Outcome

The Australian Government asked the Productivity Commission to undertake a research study to examine issues impacting on the health workforce including the supply of, and demand for, health workforce professionals and propose solutions to ensure the continued delivery of quality healthcare over the next 10 years.

The study has concluded. The research report was released on 19 January 2005.

Further information is available in the Treasurer's press release 'Productivity Commission Health Workforce Study'.

Overseeing this study were Commissioners, Mike Woods and Helen Owens.

Click here to download: Australia’s Health Workforce: Productivity Commission Research Report


RAPAD Response to Options for Future Community Engagement in Regional Natural Resource Management

Click here to download: RAPAD Response
Click here to download: RAPAD Repsonse GAB Paper

RAPAD does not believe this discussion paper should be the final stage of consultation in this process, rather it provides a solid platform to commence further negotiation so a truly consensual, region by region approach can be adopted so that long term sustainable NRM outcomes are achieved.

As identified by the Australian Local Government Assiciation (ALGA) all local governments in Australia, irrespective of their size or location, make a significant contribution to the management and protection of Australias natural resources. As the sphere of government closest to the community, local government is responsible for good governance and the care and protection of local communities within a framework of sustainable development.

Commonwealth and state governments need to recognise that local government has a range of functions, powers and responsibilities at its disposal to influence natural resource management.


Size, Shape & Sustainability

Click here to download: RAPAD Response

In March 2005 the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) released a discussion paper on the size, shape and sustainability of Queensland local governments over the next decade. The Association’s Executive resolved to actively promote discussion amongst member councils on the all important issue of the future .

The Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD) provided a short response, in the form of a regional 'position'. Inherent in this position is critique of some points in the paper itself. RAPAD is aware that several of its member shires responded individually from a shire position.


Maternity Services Review

Click here to download: RAPAD Submission

The provision of professional contemporary maternity services in our region is of utmost importance. Our region has seen the removal of many services and in this case, the removal of maternity services from within the towns in our region. There is no doubt the issues are complex however on remoteness and equity grounds alone we do want the adequate provision of maternity infrastructure and personnel in our towns and region. In this submission we have supplied many recommendations that we hope the committee will take heed of, so modern professional maternity services are maintained and enhanced for our regions communities.

Outcome

Dr Cherrell Hirst AO and the review team developed a report titled 'Rebirthing'. This report was developed from the 440 written submissions received, consultations with health professionals involved in maternity care including anaesthetists, general practitioners, midwives, obstetricians, paediatricians, physiotherapists, and social workers, consultations of groups from the public, private, voluntary and community sectors throughout Queensland and through a review of research and reports

Click here to download: 'Rebirthing' - Report of the Review of Maternity Services in Queensland: Dr Cherrell Hirst AO

Visit www.maternityservicesreviewqld.net.au for more information.