Working in partnership with government, business and the community, the Gippsland ACC identifies and fosters opportunities for jobs growth, skills development and regional growth and service delivery to find community-based solutions to these issues.

Introduction to ACC's

The national network of Area Consultative Committees (ACCs) provides an important link between the Federal Government and rural and metropolitan Australia. As volunteer community based organisations, ACCs are uniquely placed to respond to issues in their regions and provide a vital conduit to government on local, social and economic conditions. ACCs work in partnership with the Department of Transport and Regional Services to identify opportunities, priorities and development strategies for their regions.

About the ACC Network

What is an Area Consultative Committee?
Who are the members?
How do ACCs operate?
What is the purpose Behind ACCs?

What is an Area Consultative Committee?

Area Consultative Committees (ACCs) are non-profit, community-based organisations funded by the Australian Government under the Regional Assistance Programme. There are 56 ACCs across Australia serving rural, regional, remote and metropolitan communities. The national network effectively covers the whole of Australia.

Who are the members of Area Consultative Committees?

The Secretary to the Commonwealth Department of Transport and Regional Services appoints a leading member of the community as Chair of the ACC. The ACC Chair provides strategic leadership of the ACC in fulfilling its charter and functions, and is responsible for the ongoing operations of the Committee. The ACC Chair often establishes sub-committees to enable the ACC to better serve the diverse needs of the region.

The Chair and every member of an ACC are committed volunteers drawn from the community, local business and government. Membership is voluntary and unpaid. ACC Chairs and members give their time and energy because they have a personal commitment to working in partnership with the Australian Government to help local communities access assistance available to create opportunities for regions to grow and diversify.

How do Area Consultative Committees operate?

Each ACC works within the priority areas identified in the Charter for the National Network of ACCs and in accordance with a Statement of Priorities issued on behalf of the Australian Government by the Minister for Transport and Regional Services.

To guide its local-level activities, each ACC brings community stakeholders together to identify opportunities, priorities and growth strategies for the region. This community consultation enables each ACC to develop a three-year Strategic Regional Plan for its region. You can contact your local ACC (Gippsland ACC) using the "Contact Us" button above to access a copy of its Strategic Regional Plan, or view them on this website. [Click here]

Whilst ACC members are not paid for their services, each ACC receives annual operational funding from the Australian Government. The ACC Chair uses this funding to employ full-time paid staff to undertake administrative operations and assist the ACC in implementing both the National Charter and its Strategic Regional Plan. In the year 2001-2002, the Australian Government is providing $13 million in operational funding for the national network of ACCs.

What is the purpose behind ACCs?

ACC's position themselves as key regional stakeholders to build networks and partnerships to find local solutions to local problems. Through these networks, ACC's promote and disseminate information on Government priorities and programmes for the benefit of business and the community. ACCs are an example of how the Australian Government is working in partnership with business and the community to achieve regional economic growth.

More information about the GACC

Charter

The Gippsland Region

Further information on ACC's is available from the ACC website
located at http://www.acc.gov.au