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Regional organisations of councils (ROCs)

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What is a ROC?

ROCs are 'partnerships' between groups of local government entities that agree to collaborate on matters of common interest. They are diverse in size, structure and mandate, but all satisfy the criteria that members:

  • join voluntarily (and thus some are know as Voluntary Regional Organisations of Councils (VROCs)
  • demonstrate their commitment in the form of financial and/or in kind contributions
  • have agreed to a constitution or some other formal set of objectives
  • recognise a range of common issues and interests
  • nominate representatives to the ROC's executive board.

ROC activity and potential

Collaboration and action at a regional scale is not new. The first recognised VROC was established in 1922 in northwest Tasmania. ROCs can develop and deliver a local government regional perspective. They do this by constituting a forum through which the experience, ideas and efforts of member councils can be captured and cultivated.

ROCs vary in size, capacity and in their selected areas of focus. However, most engage in a range of activities, which can include the following:

  • research - underpinned by the advantage of taking a regional perspective on the many issues and developments which cross local boundaries
  • regional strategies integrating economic, social, environmental and cultural development
  • resource sharing is an integral part of a ROC's operation
  • advocacy - promoting and protecting their regions
  • brokering or facilitating the development and implementation of programs of central governments

ROCs are aware that they need to position themselves to contribute to opportunities and priorities as they emerge.

Just as ROCs are formed to capture the combined experience of councils, so ROCs can form working groups to capture the inputs and efforts of other stakeholders. ROCs are open to approaches from government and non-government bodies where those bodies believe local government involvement would be necessary and beneficial.

Update your ROC's details

ALGA maintains a database of contacts for ROCs. If your ROC wishes to be on the ALGA database, and kept informed about national activities of interest please register. To add or amend your details on the ROCs contact list, please complete update form.

List of regional organisations of councils

There are a total of 64 ROCs around Australia, listed alphabetically below by state/territory.

New South Wales

Northern Territory

Queensland

South Australia

Tasmania

Victoria

Western Australia

 
Page last updated: 17 June 2007