CQU Associate Vice-President appointed RDA Mackay Isaac Whitsunday Chair

CQUniversity Associate Vice-President (NQ and Hinterland) Professor Pierre Viljoen has been appointed to the position of Chair of Regional Development Australia (RDA) Mackay Isaac Whitsunday (MIW).

RDAs work with all levels of government' business and community groups to support economic and workforce development' local procurement' strategic regional planning and to inform programs and infrastructure investments.

Professor Viljoen will lead RDA Mackay Isaac Whitsunday under a refreshed charter that focuses on driving investment and local procurement opportunities and' through this' creating jobs and economic growth for the Mackay region.

'Regional Australia needs local leaders with the skills and knowledge to develop and coordinate strategies to address challenges facing their region and create opportunities for growth.

'As Chair' I look forward to working with the RDA Committee members and regional stakeholders in progressing development and growth in the entire MIW region'' he said.

'The refreshed RDA charter provides an emphasis on greater alignment across all levels of government and regional planning that identifies and advocates strategic long-term investment priorities.

'RDA MIW will continue its efforts to ensure the voice of the region is heard.'

Prof. Viljoen' who heads up the CQUniversity Mackay' Townsville and Emerald campuses - spending equal amounts of time at each - said he also looked forward to working with other RDAs within the network.

'I am especially looking forward to working with the RDAs in the Northern Australia region' to further build on our broader regional agenda.

'The RDA MIW had a determined corporate goal to ensure the region would be at the centre of economic and employment growth for the greater Whitsunday region' state-wide and Australia-wide.

'There is still much to be done and' as always' I encourage all in the community to contact the RDA to discuss topics of interest.'