NSW Department Of Premier and Cabinet Regional Coordination Program October 20 0 9 CONTENTS
INTENT...... 3 HISTORY...... 3 PURPOSE...... 3 FUNCTIONS...... 3 STRUCTURE...... 3 ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT...... 3 REGIONAL COORDINATORS...... 4 REGIONS...... 5 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT...... 5 LOCALGOVERNMENT...... 6 COMMONWEALTH - STATE COLLABORATION...... 6 PROJECTS...... 6 INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT...... 7 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT...... 7 SERVICE DEVELOPMENT...... 8 REGIONAL MANAGER NETWORK AND CLUSTERS...... 5 ATTACHMENT 1: DPC REGIONS AND LGAS...... 9 ATTACHMENT 2: REGIONAL COORDINATION BRANCH CONTACT DETAILS.....10
RCP SUMMARY 2 INTENT The ability of the NSW Government to deliver on regional priorities depends on effective coordination of State Government services as well as good working relationships with Local and Federal Governments, industry groups and other regional stakeholders.
The NSW Regional Coordination Program assists NSW Government agencies to coordinate their efforts to achieve better results for the regional communities of NSW.
The Regional Coordination Program provides the Premier, Director General (DPC) and line agencies with a regional ‘infrastructure’ to manage multi-agency projects and issues, including: regional business development, industry closure response, Keeping Them Safe implementation, crime prevention, Aboriginal communities’ development, climate adaptation, natural disaster response and recovery, integrated services delivery and local community development.
HISTORY The Regional Coordination Program (RCP) began in 1994 as a pilot to enhance Government responses to issues impacting on rural and regional communities. Extensions of the Program between 1997 and 2008 have resulted in State-wide coverage.
PURPOSE The Regional Coordination Program is mandated by the NSW Government to achieve social, economic and environmental benefits for the people of regional NSW by leading coordination across government, agencies and communities.
FUNCTIONS The Program achieves this purpose by: Driving the interagency delivery of priorities set by Government. Resolving interagency challenges facing Departments. Managing cross-sector responses to complex issues impacting on communities. Results based community engagement, interagency networking and information exchange.
STRUCTURE To service this, the Program is divided into three elements: 1. 9 Regional Coordinators and Regional Coordination Units. 2. The network of agency regional managers and its two Regional Managers Clusters: Justice and Human Services; and Economic Development and Environment. 3. Regional Ministries for Western Sydney, Hunter, Central Coast and Illawarra.
ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT The Regional Coordination Program is managed by the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC).
DPC provides whole-of-government responses and advice to the NSW Government. This role encompasses leading policy and services which contribute to the economic, environmental and social wellbeing of the State.
The Regional Coordination Branch (RCB) has responsibility for the RCP and gives regional effect to government priorities and DPC responsibilities. This Branch is part of the Government Coordination Division which leads whole of government initiatives requiring the coordination of agencies and resources.
RCP SUMMARY 3 The Branch maintains strategic relationships with key stakeholders and negotiates within DPC, across agencies and CEO clusters and external stakeholders to achieve project objectives and resolve issues.
The Branch has 9 Regional Coordination Units consisting of a Regional Coordinator, project management and administrative support staff.
DIRECTOR GENERAL
GOVERNMENT COORDINATION DIVISION
Program Program Major Projects Security & Rec. Development Delivery Coordination Coordination
RC Regional Coordination RC Operations Branch Central Support
Regional Coordination Units
Western Sydney Coastal Sydney Hunter
Central Coast Illawarra Western
South East NSW North Coast N.England NW
REGIONAL COORDINATORS The Regional Coordinators are the senior representatives of the Department of Premier and Cabinet in the Region.
They undertake issues management, at the direction of the Director General and the Premier, on matters requiring a multi-agency or multi-stakeholder approach.
They brief and advise the Director General, Premier and relevant Ministers on regional issues, results and opportunities
Their core responsibility is to achieve results by: Fostering productive relationships with regional leaders. Facilitating projects and managing issues. Managing the Regional Coordination Unit. Supporting Regional Ministers1 (Hunter, Illawarra, Central Coast, Hunter).
1 Responsibility for managing the Office of the Minister for Western Sydney has been transferred to Communities NSW
RCP SUMMARY 4 REGIONS, LOCATIONS, COVERAGE
There are 9 DPC Regions:
1. Central Coast New England North 2. Coastal Sydney North West Coast 3. Greater Western Sydney. 4. Hunter 5. Illawarra Western 6. New England/North West Hunter 7. North Coast Central Coast 8. South East 9. Western Illawarra Greater Western South Sydney East Coastal A list of LGAs making up each region NSW Sydney can be found at Attachment 1.
REGIONAL MANAGER NETWORK AND CLUSTERS The Regional Manager Network (RMN) refers to the collective of Regional Managers of NSW Government agencies. The RMN responds as and when required to the priorities of government, the regional interagency objectives of agencies and the requirements of the communities they serve.
Regional Manager Clusters (RMC) are the routine and dominant grouping of regional managers within the RMN.
There are two main Regional Managers Clusters: 1) Justice and Human Services and 2) Economic Development and Environment.
Regional Strategic Plans inform and drive the implementation of government priorities at a regional level, endorsed by the relevant CEO Group.
RMCs are accountable to DPC and their respective CEO group using the Regional Strategic Plans as the basis for measuring performance.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Not for profit “community based” organisations engage with State Government agencies in a multitude of roles and activities.
The RCP has traditionally supported results-based engagement with the not for profit sector at regional and local levels.
The 2008 RCP Review found that NGOs were active participants in over a third of RCP projects.
The NSW State Plan and major government policies (eg Keep Them Safe) commit NSW Government agencies to improving services through effective work with NGOs.
The RMN will actively assist agencies and NGOs to deliver on this commitment by:
Promoting results-based engagement, networking and information exchange.
RCP SUMMARY 5 Arbitrating the resolution of implementation issues impacting on multiple agencies and NGOs. Brokering the design and implementation of multi-stakeholder initiatives involving NGOs. Fostering innovative solutions to service delivery challenges. Supporting the development of organisational and workforce capacity.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT Local Councils relate to State Government agencies via an array of meetings, programs, plans and projects.
The RCP has extensive involvement with councils in relation to: Joint initiatives: it is estimated2 that local councils are working with State Government agencies in over 60% of RMN initiatives. Issues management. Regional planning processes.
RMNs have a range of new and existing measures to enhance engagement with Councils: Increased involvement of Councils in joint Local/State Government initiatives Biannual meetings with ROCS and/or Local Councils and RMN (or RMC chairs and the Regional Coordinator) with a focus on State Plan priorities, progress with regional implementation and issues management. Joint sessions with ROC Executive Officers attending for a regular item on RMN agendas.
In the interests of clarity and efficiency: RMN initiatives should not override or duplicate bilateral working relationships between agencies and local councils.
The emphasis is on activities that improve State-Local government relationships at the multi- agency, multi-LGA or regional level.
COMMONWEALTH - STATE COLLABORATION The 2008 RCP Review found that Australian Government agencies were active participants in over a third of RCP projects.
The RCP offers regional support for Commonwealth State collaboration both within and outside of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) context.
The RMN manages local cross-border service delivery issues between NSW and Victoria, South Australia Queensland and the ACT.
At a statewide level lead agencies are responsible for negotiating and implementing over 25 National Partnerships (NP) and National Agreements (NA) that are part of COAG led reforms.
The National Reform Unit (NRU), which sits within the Policy and Strategy Division, advises the Premier on COAG other matters relating to inter-governmental relations with the Commonwealth and other States.
The RMN and Clusters can support cross-agency collaboration for those COAG initiatives that depend on multi-agency delivery at regional and local levels (eg Homelessness) .
PROJECTS All projects have an identified lead agency responsible for overseeing implementation and coordinating with partner agencies. RMCs will avoid establishing projects that are not directly connected with NSW Government priorities, and with unclear accountabilities and/or resourcing.
2 Based on figures from the RCP Review and the Regional Reporting Database.
RCP SUMMARY 6 DCP will be the lead agency or project manager for RMC activities where the project is a direct functional responsibility of DPC, or has been assigned by the Director General.
INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT
1. The RCP has supported the setting up of the Riverina Murray Employment Lands Taskforce to improve the supply of employment lands and resolve related infrastructure issues.
2. The Hunter Regional Coordinator has managed peripheral issues associated with the construction the Tillegra Dam – a 450,000 mega litre water supply dam on the Upper Williams River. The dam will service the Hunter and Central Coast regions and create 200 jobs in construction. Upon completion in 2013 it will also provide new business opportunities in tourism, hospitality, recreation, support industries and real estate development.
3. The Illawarra Employment Lands Taskforce has identified 12 regionally significant employment lands precincts in Metropolitan Wollongong, the Shoalhaven and the Southern Highlands. These will be the focus of collaborative planning between Councils and the NSW Government.
4. DPC Regional Coordinators have facilitated multi-agency and local government input into service development and infrastructure planning for new land releases, eg: Warnervale/Wadalba, Western Sydney’s ADI site, Rouse Hill Town Centre and West Dapto, Lower Hunter
5. The RCP coordinated investigations into key Hunter employment lands (Freight Hub Hunter and Defence and Airport Related Employment Zone).
6. The South Western Sydney Regional Coordination Program has facilitated inter-agency planning for services and infrastructure in the south west planning sub-region which includes the south west growth centre.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 1. In Griffith, Government agencies, the City Council and community representatives are addressing issues identified through extensive consultation. Under a Community Action Plan joint-initiatives are improving safety and crime prevention, community harmony and services for young people. Work has started on the development of a multi purpose community centre.
2. State Government agencies are working with the Australian Government and Wagga Wagga City Council to enhance service delivery for children and young people (7-18 years).
3. Five local teams are working improve service coordination and access in Moree, Tamworth, Gunnedah, Armidale and Tenterfield. 12 NSW State Government agencies, 5 Local Governments, 6 non-government service providers, and the Australian Government have identified priority action in these localities e.g. family and domestic violence and urban regeneration in Moree; youth at risk in Tamworth and Armidale; and drug and alcohol abuse in Tenterfield.
4. The NSW government in partnership with the Australian Government has invested $2 million over two years in the Murdi Paaki Partnership Project to promote collaboration between civic, business and the Aboriginal community in order to improve the social and economic outcomes across 16 communities.
5. A partnership between Gosford Council, NSW Police and local agencies is reducing crime and improving the safety of Umina Beach residents. 2007 crime rates showed a marked
RCP SUMMARY 7 decrease compared to the previous year with vehicle thefts down 45%, theft down 14%, offence against person (non-domestic) down 41% and break and enter down 34%.
SERVICE DEVELOPMENT 1. DPC lead the design and implementation of multi-agency services provided by the Government Service Centre (Queanbeyan). Completed on time and within budget in June 2008, the Centre co-locates 11 agencies and over 300 staff. It will provide easier access, better delivery and coordination of Government services.
2. A partnership between TAFE NSW (Riverina Institute) and Charles Sturt University is facilitating seamless transition from TAFE to University study. Six joint programs offer transition from diploma to degree level courses. TAFE campuses in Wagga Wagga, Cootamundra, Griffith, Albury and Deniliquin offer this innovative initiative.
3. Work is underway with the Victorian Government and local governments to over come cross border services delivery arrangements including transport, planning, catchment management, policing, human services and regulation issues.
4. The NSW Queensland Cross Border Taskforce has met regularly since early 2006 to respond to health, law and justice, education and other issues. A number of joint initiatives are in progress to ensure; Professional indemnity for health workers who are required to travel across the border to provide services Cross-state recognition and enforcement of Mental Health Order. Enforcement of Apprehended Violence Orders across state borders
5. Through a unique partnership between State Government, Commonwealth Government and the non government sector, the Nimbin Integrated Services Project is improving access to drug and alcohol, mental health and general welfare services for the Nimbin Community.
RCP SUMMARY 8 ATTACHMENT 1: DPC REGIONS AND LGAS GREATER ILLAWARRA WESTERN NEW ENGLAND/ WESTERN SYDNEY Kiama Riverina/Murray PSR NORTH WEST WS PSR3 Shellharbour Albury Armidale Dumaresq Auburn Shoalhaven Balranald Glen Innes Severn Baulkham Hills Wingecarribee Berrigan Gunnedah Blacktown Wollongong Bland Guyra Blue Mountains HUNTER Carrathool Gwydir Hawkesbury Cessnock Conargo Inverell Holroyd Dungog Coolamon Liverpool Plains Parramatta Gloucester Cootamundra Moree Plains Penrith Great Lakes Corowa Narrabri Lake Macquarie Deniliquin Tamworth Regional SWS PSR Maitland Greater Hume Tenterfield Bankstown Muswellbrook Griffith Uralla Camden Newcastle Gundagai Walcha Campbelltown Port Stephens Hay Fairfield Singleton Jerilderie Liverpool Upper Hunter Junee Wollondilly Leeton Lockhart COASTAL SYDNEY CENTRAL COAST SOUTH EAST Murray Ashfield Gosford Bega Valley Murrumbidgee Botany Bay Wyong Bombala Narrandera Burwood Boorowa NORTH COAST Temora Canada Bay Cooma-Monaro Ballina Tumbarumba Canterbury Eurobodalla Bellingen Tumut Hornsby Goulburn Mulwaree Byron Urana Hunter's Hill Harden Clarence Valley Wagga Wagga Hurstville Palerang Coffs Harbour Wakool Kogarah Queanbeyan Greater Taree Wentworth Ku-ring-gai Snowy River Hastings Western NSW: PSR Lane Cove Upper Lachlan Kempsey Bathurst Leichhardt Yass Valley Kyogle Blayney Manly Young Lismore Bogan Marrickville Nambucca Bourke Mosman Richmond Valley Brewarrina North Sydney Tweed Broken Hill Pittwater Cabonne Randwick Central Darling Rockdale Cobar Ryde Coonamble Strathfield Cowra Sutherland Dubbo Sydney City Forbes Warringah Gilgandra Waverley Lachlan Willoughby Lithgow Woollahra Mid Western Region Narromine Oberon Orange Parkes Walgett Warren Warrumbungle Weddin Wellington
3 PSR = Planning Sub Region
RCP SUMMARY 9 ATTACHMENT 2: REGIONAL COORDINATION BRANCH CONTACT DETAILS
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT and CONTACT DETAILS COASTAL SYDNEY RCU John Scott – Director Regional Phone 02 9228 4989 Coordination Fax 02 9228 4096 [email protected]
Tim Farland Phone 02 9228 4108 Operations Manager Fax 02 9228 4096 (Regional Coordination) [email protected]
Address Level 7 Bligh House 4-6 Bligh Street SYDNEY NSW 2000
REGION CONTACT DETAILS Central Coast Regional Coordinator: Leoni Baldwin
Address: Level 3 Kensmen Building 131 Donnison Street Gosford NSW 2250 Mail: PO Box 1327, Gosford NSW 2250 Phone: 02 4337 2311 Fax: 02 4324 2698 Email: [email protected]
Hunter Regional Coordinator: Jennifer Collison
Address: Level 5, 26 Honeysuckle Drive Newcastle NSW 2300 Phone: 02 4927 8799 Fax: 02 4927 8798 Email: jennifer.collison @dpc.nsw.gov.au
Illawarra Regional Coordinator: Mark Roberts
Address: NSW Government Offices Ground Floor, Block F 84 Crown Street Wollongong NSW 2520 Mail: PO Box 892, Wollongong NSW 2520 Phone: 02 4229 3749 Fax: 02 4224 9901 Email: [email protected]
New England/ Regional Coordinator: Maureen Chapman North West Address: Cinders Lane, Armidale NSW 2350 Mail: PO Box 581 Armidale NSW 2350
RCP SUMMARY 10 REGION CONTACT DETAILS Phone: 02 6771 5781 Fax: 02 6771 5795 Email: [email protected]
North Coast Regional Coordinator: Julie Byers
Address: Level 1 AMP Centre 24 Gordon Street Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 Mail: PO Box 805 Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 Phone: 02 6648 7239 Fax: 02 6648 7232 Email: [email protected]
Western A/Regional Coordinator: Ross O’Shea
Address: Level 2, 76 Morgan Street Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 Mail: PO Box 2460 Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 Phone: 02 6921 3588 Fax: 02 6921 4654 Email: ross.o’[email protected]
Address: Suite 2 Ground Floor 167 Brisbane Street Dubbo NSW 2830 Mail: PO Box 865 NSW 2830 Phone: 02 6884 7403 Fax: 02 6884 7405
South East Regional Coordinator: Roz Chivers
Address: Queanbeyan Government Service Centre Level 1, 11 Farrer Place Queanbeyan NSW 2620 Mail: PO Box 1594, Queanbeyan NSW 2620 Phone: 02 6229 7812 Fax: 02 6229 7801 Email: ros.chivers @dpc.nsw.gov.au
Great Western Regional Coordinator: Rob Lennon Sydney Address: Level 2, Macquarie Tower 10 Valentine Avenue Parramatta NSW 2150 Mail: Locked Bag 5045 Parramatta NSW 2124 Phone: 02 8836 4956 Fax: 02 8836 4960 Email: [email protected]
RCP SUMMARY 11