2026 RDA Stakeholder Survey

Sep 8, 2026 | Latest News

We’d value your feedback: 2026 RDA Stakeholder Survey

The 2026 RDA Stakeholder Survey is now open, and RDA Tropical North is inviting everyone who has worked with or engaged with us to share their feedback.

Your perspective will help us understand what we are doing well, where our approach could be strengthened and how we can continue working effectively with communities, businesses, governments and other stakeholders across Tropical North Queensland.

The survey takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes and closes at 4pm AEST on Monday 21 September 2026.

Complete the 2026 RDA Stakeholder Survey.

Why your feedback matters

The survey helps Regional Development Australia committees understand how effectively they engage with their stakeholders. It also helps the Australian Government identify opportunities to improve the management and delivery of the RDA program.

The survey is being independently managed by ARTD Consultants. Responses will be kept strictly confidential and de-identified in reporting. Neither individual respondents nor the organisations providing feedback will be identified.

Our work since the last survey

Since the previous stakeholder survey was conducted in July 2024, the scope of our work across Tropical North Queensland has been broad.

Our work is guided by the Australian Government’s Regional Investment Framework (RIF), which places local voices at the centre of regional decision-making and focuses investment across four priority areas. The survey provides another important opportunity for those local voices to help shape how we work.

Since the last survey, RDA Tropical North has delivered and supported activities across each RIF priority area.

Investing in People

  • Undertook the 2025 State of the Region Roadshow across Cook, Hope Vale, Douglas, Cairns and Yarrabah, providing opportunities to hear directly from communities across the region.

  • Supported Western Cape Futures Association through a National Indigenous Australians Agency-funded Regional Jobs and Economic Development auspice arrangement, enabling a regional employment pilot and eight pilot positions.

  • Partnered in Workforce Evolution in FNQ on 10 June 2026, which brought together 120 attendees and captured employer insights through an RDATN survey.

Investing in Places

  • Convened the FNQ Housing Summit on 31 July 2024, bringing regional stakeholders together to examine housing challenges and priorities.

  • Continued Cape York Region Package advocacy through stakeholder meetings in November 2024, May 2025, November 2025 and May 2026. This included supporting progress on the Stage 3 Proposed Project Report and advocating for an 80:20 Australian and Queensland Government funding split.

  • Supported Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program and Growing Regions proponents through project guidance, application input, regional evidence, partnership connections and letters of support.

Funded projects supported across Far North Queensland include:

  • the Cairns Major Events Precinct Masterplan and Project Validation Report;

  • the Wujal Wujal Council Administration and Community Development Hub;

  • the Hope Vale Council Digital Services Centre Project; and

  • the Redlynch Community Sporting Precinct and Cairns Community and Multicultural Centre.

Investing in Services

  • Convened the Regional Water Forum in May 2025, bringing together more than 70 attendees to discuss regional water security, infrastructure and planning priorities.

  • Conducted a Cyclone Reinsurance Pool survey that received 224 responses. Findings were provided to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and referenced in its July 2025 Insurance Monitoring Report, supporting its work on insurance affordability and underinsurance.

  • Published the Tablelands Access Options analysis and contributed regional evidence through parliamentary submissions.

Investing in Industries and Local Economies

  • Facilitated the Future of Weipa Forum and continued working with regional partners to support the Western Cape’s economic transition.

  • Supported Stage One of the Etheridge Agricultural and Irrigation Precinct Project.

  • Strengthened collaboration through the Northern RDA Alliance, Indo-Pacific engagement and the FNQ Trade and Investment Group.

  • Convened the July 2026 Fuel Roundtable, bringing together 30 representatives from industry, local government and government agencies and capturing regional intelligence on fuel costs, supply chains and regional resilience.

Together, these activities also contribute to the shared regional priorities identified through the Tropical North Queensland Economic Development Strategy.

These are just some examples of the work undertaken with and for our regional stakeholders since the last survey. Your feedback will help us understand how effectively we have engaged, what is working well and where we can improve.

We recognise that your time is valuable and sincerely appreciate your participation.

Survey closes: 4pm AEST, Monday 21 September 2026

Complete the Survey