RLPBs welcome funding for change
The reform of Rural Lands Protection Boards (RLPBs) has entered a new phase following the announcement yesterday that the NSW Government is providing $3 million to fund significant changes to the RLPB system.
As part of major reforms to modernise and streamline RLPB services, NSW Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald also finalised the boundaries of the 14 new boards and announced that State Council has appointed consultants from PricewaterhouseCoopers to help drive the change management process.
Chairman, David Lister, said State Council welcomed the Minister’s funding commitment and the direction it provided.
“With this injection of funds State Council is now extremely well placed to move forward in implementing major structural and administrative reform by 1 January 2009.
“The Minister’s announcement regarding finalised board boundaries will also allow us to progress with a number of consolidation projects and new staffing arrangements.
“The fine-tuning of boundaries was always going to be contentious and a great deal of consultation and consideration has gone into this process.
“There was a strong desire to avoid splitting boards where possible and the vast majority will remain in their entirety when joined with neighbouring boards.
“The finalisation of board boundaries has also brought greater certainty for ratepayers and staff and allows us to move into the next phase of the implementation process.
“This will be aided by the appointment of change management experts from PricewaterhouseCoopers who will play a crucial role in ensuring the transition period is handled as smoothly as possible.
“The expertise and experience of one of the world’s largest consulting firms will be an invaluable part of the change management process,” David Lister said.
The 14 new board districts are:
- Riverina – This district will comprise the current Riverina, Hay, Narrandera and Murray boards in their entirety.
- Hume – This district will comprise the current Wagga Wagga, Hume and Gundagai boards in their entirety.
- South East – This district will comprise the current South Coast, Bombala, Braidwood and Cooma boards in their entirety.
- Lachlan – This district will comprise the current Condobolin, Forbes and Young Boards in their entirety as well as part of Molong.
- Tablelands – This district will comprise the current Central Tablelands, Yass and Goulburn Boards in their entirety as well as part of Molong.
- Cumberland – This district will comprise the current Moss Vale board in its entirety as well as the southern part of the Maitland board.
- Mid Coast – This district will comprise the current Hunter, Gloucester and Kempsey boards in their entirety and the northern part of the Maitland board.
- North Coast – This district will comprise the current Casino, Tweed-Lismore and Grafton boards in their entirety.
- New England – This district will comprise the current Armidale and Northern New England boards in their entirety.
- North West – This district will comprise the current Northern Slopes, Moree, Narrabri and Walgett boards in their entirety.
- Central North – This district will comprise the current Coonabarabran, Tamworth and Mudgee-Merriwa boards in their entirety.
- Central West – This district will comprise the current Nyngan, Coonamble and Dubbo boards in their entirety as well as part of Molong.
- Darling – This district will comprise the current Cobar, Bourke, Brewarrina and Wanaaring boards in their entirety.
- Western – This district will comprise the current Balranald-Wentworth, Hillston, Broken Hill, Wilcannia and Milparinka boards in their entirety.
Further information and maps of the new boundaries can be found at www.rlpb.org.au
MEDIA CONTACT: Helen Gosper (02) 6391 3242