Review of Community Resource Network - Terms of Reference
Terms of Reference for the Review of the
Western Australian Community Resource Network
Request to Trust
Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Royalties for Regions Act 2009 (Act) the Minister for Regional Development and Lands (Minister) refers a review of the Western Australian Community Resource Network (Network) to the Western Australia Regional Development Trust (Trust).
The Trust is established by the Act as an independent statutory body to provide advice and recommendations to the Minister on the allocation and management of funds from the Royalties for Regions Fund, and is therefore the appropriate body to conduct the review.
Background
The Network consists of incorporated not-for-profit Community Resource Centres (CRCs) that are locally owned and operated. These CRCs are located in more than 100 communities across regional Western Australia. The Network provides a wide array of information and community-based services to local people, local businesses and visitors in regional Western Australia, that includes information and services provided on behalf of country local government, the Government of Western Australia, and Australian Government agencies.
The Network is supported by the Department of Regional Development and Lands (RDL) Community Development Division, and significant funding is provided via the Royalties for Regions Regional Community Services Fund.
Issues for consideration in the Review
Overall, the Trust is to undertake a review of the Network in relation to its current and potential contribution to regional service delivery and regional development in Western Australia.
For the purposes of this review the Trust is to:
1. Assess the objectives, the performance, and the potential of the Network in enhancing service delivery by country local governments, the Government of Western Australia, and Australian Government agencies to their regional, rural and remote communities;
2. Review the numbers and spread of CRCs to determine if any geographic areas are under or over-serviced, and in doing so:
a. advise on a distribution of CRCs that would best facilitate the intended service delivery, and
b. assess the alignment of the Network with other government programs and Royalties for Regions programs, such as the Regional Centres Development Plan (SuperTowns), and where appropriate propose ways by which such alignment could be improved;
3. Determine how and to what extent the Network has contributed or could contribute further, to outcomes that enhance regional development in Western Australia, and in doing so:
a. identify any impediments to the Network realising its full potential to contribute to regional development and propose ways to reduce or remove such impediments, and
b. consider how the Network could better contribute to productivity and regional development outcomes such as through improved service delivery, leadership and capacity building; and
c. consider how the Network and the Rural Remote and Regional Women’s Network of Western Australia could mutually support and enhance their respective roles and activities;
4. Review the governance and administration of CRCs across the Network, paying particular regard to:
a. efficiency, effectiveness and productivity, and
b. the effects and result of RDL processes and systems;
5. Report on the present and future financing and funding of the Network, paying particular attention to:
a. the effectiveness of the current and any proposed additional Royalties for Regions Funding received by the Network, and
b. whether some or most CRCs can become self-sufficient;
6. Investigate whether measures relating to the performance of the Network can be quantified or are available or can be derived that indicate the extent to which the Network is contributing to regional development, individual communities, and the regions as a whole;
7. Review the community representation and engagement of CRCs and community regard for them; and
8. Any other relevant matters.
Approach
In conducting the review the Trust will consult with relevant stakeholders, will undertake regional visits to selected CRCs, and will invite and take written submissions.
RDL will provide resources to support the Trust in undertaking this review.
Timeframe
The review is to be presented to the Minister by no later than 30 June 2013.
Review of the Western Australian Community Resource Network Page 1 of 2