The NSW Government now has an even clearer picture of the challenges and opportunities facing rural and regional NSW communities, following the presentation of the Rural and Regional Taskforce’s findings to Premier Morris Iemma.

A fixed share of income tax revenue for local government, the establishment of a Regional Infrastructure Fund, integrated locally-based health care systems and streamlining of State and Commonwealth regional development bodies were among the reforms recommended in the Rural and Regional Taskforce Report.

Member for Monaro and Convenor of Country Labor, Steve Whan, was one of the three members of the Taskforce who consulted with country communities across the state.

“The Taskforce was established to examine and provide advice on key economic, environmental and social issues affecting our rural and regional communities,” Mr Whan said.

“We visited a number of regional communities to gain a grassroots perspective of the issues and challenges from places like Cooma, Parkes, Wagga Wagga, Armidale, Grafton and Broken Hill.

“After extensive public submissions, public forums and wide consultation with individuals, business groups, community groups, local government and other stakeholders, we finished compiling quite a deal of feedback which we presented to the NSW Premier.

“The printed report will be formally presented to the NSW Premier within a fortnight in time for it to be included in state budget discussions.

Mr Whan said the range of matters brought to the Taskforce showed that many regional communities did not differentiate between the tiers of government in areas of service delivery.

It highlighted a number of communications problems and focused strongly on working together to enhance the social as well as economic infrastructure of country communities.

“The message is that the people want Local, State and Commonwealth governments to work more closely together on health, education, infrastructure, economic development and community service delivery,” he said.

“Personally I felt a strong message from rural communities that they want to overcome what many see as a negative perception of life being tough in the country to show potential residents the real story of what great and healthy places country communities are to live in.”

Key Taskforce findings recommend the NSW government:

* Introduce a five year Regional Infrastructure Fund to provide grants to local councils and other relevant organisations for the development or upgrading of social and economic infrastructure in regional communities.

The fund would be similar to the Victorian Regional Development Infrastructure Fund.

* Support efforts by local government to secure increased Financial Assistance Grants from the Commonwealth Government.

These grants should be fixed as a share of income tax revenue to ensure local councils have access to a growth revenue stream for the future.

* Sign a suitable Intergovernmental Agreement with local government.

* Work with the Commonwealth to streamline the number of State and Commonwealth regional development bodies to reduce duplication in NSW.

This includes a review of government agencies, departments and boards involved in economic development activities to increase the level of project funds available to rural and regional communities.

The recommendation also includes mandating economic development as a core function of local government, subject to ensuring that adequate resources, support and structures are in place.

* Widen the geographic eligibility criteria of the existing Payroll Tax Incentive Scheme and introduces zonal tax incentives in areas suffering population decline.

Red tape reduction and compliance cost minimisation programs for small to medium sized businesses are also advocated in the report.

* Develop locally-based integrated community health care systems and holistic local models to attract GPs and procedural specialists to rural and regional areas.

Work with the Commonwealth on programs to train dentists in regional universities and expand public dental services.

It wants to see a broader range of mental health, geriatric care and drug and alcohol services in regional areas.

Improved health service access for Indigenous and socially and economically disadvantaged patients is also an issue to be addressed with new initiatives and programs.

* Supports planning reform in consultation with local government and other stakeholders to ensure the implications of specific measures are thoroughly tested before finalisation and implementation.

The Department of Planning regional service delivery should be maintained along with appropriate regional level decision-making.

* Continue long term funding for the Country Towns Water and Sewerage Scheme and the consultation process on water utilities proposed by the Minister.

* Empower Regional Transport Coordinators to manage all available community transport options to improve services, support the Brisbane to Melbourne inland rail project and continue to replace timber bridges and prioritise those on school bus routes or posing a safety risk.

Increase subsidies for regional air services, for jet services to be sought for key regional airports and to encourage more competition on major air routes.

It calls for a cap of $10 for administrative fees on CountryLink pensioner rail concessions.

* Take measures to improve job prospects for Aboriginal people and young people in rural and regional areas.

For government departments and agencies to work with the private sector to develop partnerships and regional models of training and skills development.

The Gwydir Learning Region model should be examined for its application in other rural areas of the state.

* Work with the Commonwealth on improved broadband infrastructure and mobile phone coverage in regional areas, increase regional public library funding and extend the Drought Support Workers scheme until the end of 2009.

The report recommends that the NSW Government dedicate resources within the Ministry for the Arts focused on encouraging the growth of arts industries, activities and individual artists in regional areas.

Details of the Rural and Regional Taskforce, including its Terms of Reference, can be found at http://www.nsw.gov.au/Rural_Regional_Taskforce.asp