MEDIA RELEASE The Hon Maxine McKew MP Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government 17 March 2010 MM016/2010

New RDA Website Opens for Business Maxine McKew, Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development, today launched the new Regional Development Australia (RDA) website to coincide with the first RDA National Forum tomorrow. Ms McKew said the website will offer a great resource for people to engage with their local communities, check out success stories and follow the work of their local RDA committee. "RDA committees have been set up to work across all levels of government and champion the diverse and unique regions across our country," Ms McKew said. "The new website being launched today will help keep people up-to-date with RDA news and information, and in particular, what their local RDA is doing." "Maps of RDA regions, news updates, regional Australia research papers, and details on upcoming RDA events including the RDA National Forum are all available at the new site." "I encourage everyone to check out the new site and investigate the great work of the local RDA committee in their region," said Ms McKew. Regional Development Australia is a new national network of 55 committees which integrates the work of all levels of Government to support the growth and development of Australia's regions. The first RDA National Forum brings together Chairs and Deputy Chairs from each committee and will take place at Parliament House on Thursday 18 March. The event will include keynote addresses from some of Australia's eminent thinkers on issues affecting regional Australia and provide opportunities for committee members to network and discuss issues affecting their regions. For more information and up to date news on RDA, go to: www.rda.gov.au     URL: http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/mm/releases/2010/March/mm016_2010.htm