RDA Illawarra provided a submission relating to A New Planning System for NSW Green Paper (July 2012) and made comments on the following:

• Blueprint (pp 4-7)
• Strategic Planning (Chapter 5)
• Subregional Delivery Plans (Change 7)
• Enterprise Zones (p45)
• Regional Infrastructure identified in Growth Infrastructure Plan (p76)
• Regional Planning Boards (Change 21, p86)
• Planning Culture (Change 23, p88)

The Southern Councils Group make a submission to the legislative assembly inquiry conducted by the State and Regional Development Committee. The submission looks into how inter-regional public transport can better serve the needs of regional NSW.

It provides comments on the following:

• How CountryLink services can be improved
• How network linkages between CountryLink train and coach services can be improved
• The potential for CountryLink services to carry light freight
• How CountryLink can be better utilised to increase tourism in NSW
• How the amount of inter-regional travel undertaken by public transport can be increased
• The extent to which regional public transport networks are integrated and how they can be better integrated
• The role local councils can play in improving inter-regional public transportation networks
• The type of buses and trains that will be required for the provision of regional passenger services in the future

RDA Illawarra worked with RDA Far South Coast, the Southern Council Group and its Economic Development Practitioners Committee, to prepare an initial submission to the Inquiry into the Establishment of Special Economic Zones.

RDA Illawarra recognised the importance of the digital economy as a key driver in the transformation of the region and believed significant economic impacts in Investment and Employment Growth can come from this sector.