RDA Tropical North Chair Professor Hurriyet Babacan (left) pictured with Senator Nita Green and RDA Tropical North CEO Sonja Johnson, says the organisation is thrilled with being ranked one of the highest performing in the country in a recent stakeholder survey. Photo: Frontline Foto.
A stakeholder survey has given the entity responsible for driving the development of Cape York top marks compared to its contemporaries across the country.
The results of the 2024 Regional Development Australia (RDA) Stakeholder Survey have been released, with RDA Tropical North going straight to the top of the class based on the feedback provided.
RDA Tropical North Chair Professor Hurriyet Babacan said the survey found RDAs were considered essential by respondents to understanding the needs of regions and continuing to ensure local needs were being met.
“Respondents placed satisfaction with RDA Tropical North well above other regions and the results showed a marked improvement from the previous survey in 2021,” she said.
“As an independent organisation of community leaders working together to create jobs and grow the Far North Queensland economy, it is pleasing to know that we are having a positive impact on regional development solutions.
RDA Tropical North received a 96 per cent satisfaction score in the survey, which was 5 per cent higher than the overall RDA average of 91 per cent.
Professor Babacan said the results demonstrated the advocacy and assistance being provided by RDA Tropical North was translating into genuine development opportunities on the ground.
“We ranked highly in most categories, including a 96 per cent score for providing efficient and effective support for regional economic development, and a 94 per cent score for supporting job creation and start-up businesses,” she said.
“Top marks were received for our ability to facilitate meaningful engagement across the three levels of government to ensure investments deliver better outcomes for regions.
“When asked to rank the entities leading regional development in our community, respondents placed RDA Tropical North as number one, ahead of the local regional development body at number two, the State Government at number three, local government at number four, the peak body at number five, and the Australian Government at number six.”
Professor Babacan said RDA Tropical North was also thrilled to received a 96 per cent rating for “collaborating and working with integrity, transparency, respect and accountability.”
