Regional Development Australia Central Coast (RDACC) has today hosted a roundtable event with the Central Coast’s key decision-makers across local, state and federal government and business agencies.

The unprecedented roundtable discussion was the first time in local collective memory that critical stakeholders from all levels of government and both sides of the political landscape have been in a room together to collaborate on a cohesive agenda of priorities for the Central Coast.

RDCC Chair, Lawrie McKinna, says the session forms an integral part of RDACC’s role in providing an important conduit between all levels of government and industry to work together towards enhanced outcomes for the Central Coast.

“Today’s roundtable was a significant achievement in strengthening the understanding that we all have about singing with one voice to deliver shared outcomes for our community,” says Mr McKinna.

“I’m appreciative for everyone involved and pleased to see our four State and two Federal government representatives, from both sides of politics, in the same room to talk about what is best for the Central Coast.”

RDACC Director Regional Development & Chief Executive Officer, John Mouland, says today’s roundtable discussions focused on the need to maintain a united identity for the Central Coast to remain competitive and prosperous into the future.

“Together we need to build a strong regional identity that we can all be proud of. There is a lot of good work being done and the roundtable was an opportunity to align key priorities and work towards a common goal,” says Mr Mouland.

RDACC will provide a central point to coordinate and communicate monthly updates Coast-wide on priorities and actions from the collective stakeholders.

The next roundtable is scheduled for April, with the view to have Central Coast Council representation with the anticipated attendance of new council CEO, David Farmer.

Today’s Central Coast Roundtable was attended by:

Lucy Wicks MP                                   Federal Member for Robertson

Emma McBride MP                            Federal Member for Dobell

Adam Crouch  MP                              Member for Terrigal

David Harris MP                                 Member for Wyong

David Mehan MP                              Member for The Entrance

Liesl Tesch MP                                   Member for Gosford

Brok Glenn                                          University of Newcastle

Elizabeth York                                    Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA)

Chris Smith                                         UDIA

Caine King                                          UDIA

Paula Martin                                       Business NSW – Central Coast

Edgar Adams                                      Gosford/Erina & Coastal Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Scott Goold                                         Regional NSW

Matthew Lusted                                  Wyong Regional Chamber of Commerce

Anna Cruckshank                               Gosford/Erina & Coastal Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Matthew Wales                                   Peninsula Chamber of Commerce

Frank Sammut                                    Central Coast Industry Connect

Joanne Martin                                     Central Coast Community College

Lawrie McKinna                                  RDA Central Coast

John Mouland                                     RDA Central Coast