RCA faq.

RCA defines a regional capital as a regional city, located outside the state metropolitan urban growth boundary. A regional capital provides a central point to access essential infrastructure, services, business, employment and education for local residents as well as those in surrounding towns and rural areas. These cities perform a ‘capital city’ role within their regions.

RCA is represented by the Mayors and General Managers/CEOs of our member councils from across Australia. Each member council has the opportunity to contribute to RCA’s policy agenda setting through membership consultation and events such as policy submissions, surveys, networking events and delegations to Canberra.

Our policy page explains the areas of work that RCA carries out.

Our member councils are represented by the Mayors and CEOs/General Managers of each council. Through our membership and stakeholder engagement, we have formalised our own policy positions and capability statements on issues important to all regional capital cities. Our reputation as the go-to body for all things ‘regional capitals’ has enabled us to develop strategic partnerships with leading peak bodies, think tanks and research institutes.

RCA understands that when it comes to advocating for regional cities, a collective voice of like-minded people has a stronger impact than a single council doing it alone. Often federal governments find it more effective consulting peak bodies to understand common issues amongst a group. Our reputation as the go-to regional capitals body gives us access to the policy makers. Your council’s voice can be heard via our collective alliance.

Regional Capitals Australia is funded through annual membership fees paid by our member councils. These fees fund the advocacy, strategy, communications and secretariat work carried out by the RCA Secretariat team who work alongside the Executive Board on the day-to-day management of the association.