ACT Chief Minister, Katy Gallagher and NSW Premier, Barry O’Farrell, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Regional Collaboration spelling out a new co-operation framework between the ACT and NSW Governments in economic development and service delivery for the people of the ACT and south east NSW.
The Premier and Chief Minister agreed the MOU will enable both Governments to work collaboratively on key challenges and opportunities in the region.
“A prosperous future for Canberra is linked to the prosperity and future of our regional neighbours. It is essential that we work together to plan services and infrastructure, and that the relationship between the two Governments is one of mutual respect and commitment to our region,” Ms Gallagher said.
“The ACT and NSW enjoy a close relationship as a result of the unique cross border circumstances – Canberra’s location in the centre of the south east region of NSW renders it a principal service centre for the surrounding local government areas of NSW,” Mr O’Farrell said.
“Population growth and increased economic interdependencies have increased the need for better service delivery and planning needs in the region and that is what this MOU is intended to achieve.
“Both Governments want people living in the region to have a seamless access to Government services regardless of which side of the border they live or work.”
The MoU replaces the Regional Management Framework signed by the two jurisdictions in 2006.
The initial priorities of the MoU are to identify economic opportunities, pursue sustainable regional growth including land use and infrastructure planning, and promote targeted service delivery, initially in the health and education sectors. Priority work plans for these areas will be developed in consultation with the relevant Ministers in each jurisdiction.
“In addition to the expertise of our own Government departments and agencies, we will engage with community and research organisations, local councils and Regional Development Australia boards to tap into their detailed knowledge of the region,” Ms Gallagher said.
Information sourced from: http://www.chiefminister.act.gov.au/media.php?v=11177
A copy of the MoU can be found at http://rdaact.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ACT-NSW-MoU-regional-collaboration.doc
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-12-02/act-nsw-agreement-signed/3708054
(Thanks to Brad Burden for the photo via Twitter)
