News Alert |

Ballarat Mayor Samantha McIntosh has been elected chair of the nation’s peak body for regional cities, Regional Capitals Australia.  

Mayor McIntosh was elected to the role at the Regional Capitals Australia annual general meeting on Tuesday.   

Regional Capitals Australia was formed in 2012 to bring Australia’s 51 regional capital cities together as one unified voice. The RCA vision was to provide a strength-in-numbers’ body that understands the needs of regional capitals. 

Through its member councils, RCA presents to the Federal Government the needs of combined communities, voicing the social and economic issues specific to regional cities. 

Mayor McIntosh said the role would provide a unique opportunity to strongly advocate for the needs of Australia’s 51 regional capitals. 

“It’s an honour to be elected chair of Regional Capitals Australia. RCA has articulated the way Australia’s regional capitals work like a hub and spokes, with each regional city providing services and industry which drive their surrounding regions.  If a regional capital is strong, so too is the surrounding region. “ 

“This has certainly been the experience of Ballarat and the central highlands region.”   

“In my decade as councillor and more recently as Mayor, Ballarat has seen the benefits and challenges of sustained growth. This experience places me in a strong position to advocate for the needs of regional centres across Australia.”   

“I look forward to working with my colleagues from across regional Australia to ensure our voice, and that of our constituents continues to be heard clearly at the highest levels of government.”