Regional Development Australia (Riverina) is now officially halfway through the year and the first half was filled with exciting opportunities for the Riverina with momentum only increasing for the rest of the year.
An Economic Development Officers Forum was recently held in Narrandera. Members of the RDA Board and staff toured the Elecnor Australia Camp at Lockhart with REROC.
Four new board members hit the ground running with their first meeting, including Melissa Boxall – General Manager of the Temora Shire Council.
With 24 years experience working in the local government industry across four Councils in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Riverina regions, she has led a diverse range of portfolios including commercial enterprises, tourism, economic development, community services, governance, regulation and compliance and strategic and development planning.
Her experience working in one of the fastest growing local government areas in NSW means that she has significant knowledge to support sustainable and well-planned growth to encourage diversified housing and employment opportunities and she has worked with the development industry, community stakeholders and government agencies to deliver Local Strategic Planning Statements, Local Infrastructure Plans etc. Another other new board member is Melanie Reeves who has over ten years’ experience in strategic planning and management in health with expertise in program management, finance and commissioning.
She is passionate about advancing patient centred care in regional and remote communities, leveraging healthcare information technology to facilitating innovation and collaboration and is a catalyst for positive change in the Murrumbidgee health landscape.
In her current role, Melanie leads a transformative initiative in the Murrumbidgee Health and Knowledge Precinct. She collaborates with diverse stakeholders to drive local health reform projects and innovation for the region. Her strategic expertise in health project management enables her to support health from enhanced efficiency and quality of care across primary to tertiary levels.
This article appeared in the Narrandera Argus, 18 July 2024.
