‘DRIVE’: A tool to help implement the Central Queensland Regional Roadmap

This report describes a decision-making tool that has been developed for the purposes of guiding resource allocation by RDAFCW and should be read in conjunction with the Central Queensland Regional Roadmap. Successful and sustainable regional development is complex, particularly in regions such as Central Queensland, which is at once geographically large, demographically diverse, and experiencing a range of multi-disciplinary and cumulative impacts. RDAFCW’s Regional Roadmap already provides for strong direction in terms of regional development activities for Central Queensland. However, what is still lacking in the RDAFCW ‘toolbox’ is a method by which the committee (and the executive officer) can determine the overall merit of offering support to one project over another, given the matrix of RDAFCW’s roles, capabilities, resources and strategic relationships. Following a review of the operations of RDAFCW and the policy environment across the three tiers of government, a new methodology for decision-making on regional projects has been developed. This model was informed by a range of existing approaches already used for regional development and decision-making (as summarised in Appendix A). The “DRIVE” tool is based on 5x3 model, with 5 key criteria each having a triplet of three evaluation questions to answer. The key criteria are: •Delivery of the Regional Roadmap •Reflecting on policy cohesion •Investing for regional benefit •Varying activities achieve equity and •Evaluating uncertainties. The DRIVE model is simple; can be applied to any nature of project; and it does not require particularly detailed information from proponents. It places no particular emphasis on any given economic sector; nor does treat economic, social, or environmental benefits differently. However, the model is constrained by a high degree of subjectivity; its relatively simplistic design; and the particular challenge of evaluating policy-based criteria when the policy landscape remains quite fluid. Further refinements may be made to the model following pilot testing with RDAFCW, and circulation amongst the wider regional development and academic communities. Finally, it is very important to note that, in its current architecture, the DRIVE tool is very closely linked with Regional Roadmap. If the DRIVE tool is to be successful in supporting Central Queensland’s transition to a ‘liveable and sustainable’ region, then the Roadmap itself must be a robust document, prepared via strong engagement and collaboration with the wider regional stakeholder set.