Regional Development Australia (RDA) is a network of community-based, not-for-profit organisations funded by the Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government to be key facilitators of change and development in their regions.

RDA provides the link between Government, business and their communities to coordinate a whole of Government response to opportunities for employment, regional development and community capacity-building.

Regional Development Australia also provides information on Government policies and programs administered by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport Regional Development and Local Government.

Our Region

Regional Development Australia - Mid North Coast encompasses eight Local Government areas from Great Lakes in the South, Coffs Harbour in the North to Nowendoc in the West. Please click on the map for a larger view.

Our Structure

Each RDA is comprised of two main elements working together to ensure local expertise across a range of issues - a Committee of volunteers and a local office of staff. Whilst RDA Committee members are not paid for their services, each RDA receives annual operational funding from the Australian Government. The RDA Chair uses this funding to employ paid staff to undertake administrative operations and to assist the Committee in implementing both the National Charter and its Strategic Regional Plan. For information on your local RDA staff, please see the "Contacts" page.

Our Committee

Our Committee of volunteers is made up of a dedicated cross-section of community leaders from across our spectrum of geography and interests. They include community people, business people, farmers, retired people, and councillors just to name a few. We are proud of the calibre, passion and commitment of our Mid North Coast Committe, some who have served up to 13 years, bringing experience and stability, whilst others are relatively new, bringing fresh ideas and perspective.

Don Phillips, Chairman RDAMNC, Interim Chair CRGRDA - Taree;
Richard O'Leary - Treasurer and Public Officer RDAMNC – Chief Executive Officer, Macleay Regional Co-operative Limited, Kempsey;
Edward Robinson - Beef Farmer, Gloucester;
Peter Newman - Deputy Chairman RDAMNC - Director, Quantic International P/L, Port Macquarie;
Duncan Campbell - Secretary RDAMNC - Retired, Bowraville;
Jim Hutcheon- State Organiser, Mid North Coast CFMEU, Port Macquarie;
Noel Lockwood - Chief Executive Officer, Guri Wa Ngundagar, Kempsey;
Lesley Schoer - Managing Director, Lesley Schoer & Assoc P/L, Coffs Harbour;
Rod McKelvey - Councillor, Coffs Harbour City Council;
Steve Attkins - Owner, Great Lakes Wines;
Margaret Gundry OAM - Councillor, Bellingen Shire Council.