He is reluctant to be part of “recycling the same old hacks” on Regional Development Australia Orana and believes new blood “is needed to start afresh”.

RDA Orana replaces Gowest regional development board and Orana Area Consultative Committee.

Both organisations will cease to exist at the end of the month and the yet to be appointed RDA Orana board will be established in coming months.

“I have nothing against the new organisation,’’ Mr Wise told the Daily Liberal yesterday.

“I wish the new board and its leadership well but have no desire to be involved.’’

RDA Orana experienced embarrassment on Thursday afternoon when an official press release from Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Regional Development Maxine McKew and NSW Minister for Regional Development Phil Costa announced the new body would be headed by Gowest chair John Walkom, with Mr Wise taking on the deputy leadership role.

Three hours later an urgent “stop press” correction was issued, asking the media to delete all reference to Mr Wise.

Mr Wise is well-known in Dubbo and the western region and has served on State and Federal regional development organisations. He was formerly a Western Lands Commissioner and Far West Regional Director of Land and Water Conservation.

Mr Wise helped drive development locally as manager of Dubbo City Development Corporation before accepting the position of general manager of Bourke Shire Council.

Mr Wise said he received an offer to act as RDA Orana deputy chair via email on Tuesday. He declined the appointment through official channels on Wednesday.

Mr Wise said a lot has been said about the establishment of RDA committee but so far “it’s all the great unknown”.

“The success of the new organisation hangs on the people involved and the constitution and terms of reference issued by government.

“The theory of tripartite government working towards regional development has merit. The key issue will be how it is applied.’’

Mr Walkom is looking forward to bringing RDA Orana into fruition and leading its board.

He believes the new development initiative has the potential to be progressive and dynamic, building on the experience and success of Gowest and the Orana Area Consultative Committee.

heather.crosby@rural press.com