{"id":"nsw:act-2004-058","name":"Regional Development Act 2004","slug":"regional-development-act-2004","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"nsw","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"58 of 2004","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":104790,"registerId":"nsw-act-2004-058-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Part 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Preliminary","content":"# Part 1 Preliminary\n\nPart 1 Preliminary","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Name of Act","content":"#### 1 Name of Act\n\n1 Name of Act\n\n> This Act is the [Regional Development Act 2004](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2004-058).","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"#### 2 Commencement\n\n2 Commencement\n\n> This Act commences on a day or days to be appointed by proclamation.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Object of Act","content":"#### 3 Object of Act\n\n3 Object of Act\n\n> > (1) The object of this Act is to provide a framework for strategic intervention in the economies of regional New South Wales for the following purposes—\n> > \n> > > (a) to promote economic and employment growth in regions in accordance with the principles of ecologically sustainable development,\n> > \n> > > (b) to support sustainable economies, a healthy environment and resilient communities in regions,\n> > \n> > > (c) to support place-based solutions, targeted to the development problems of particular locations and developed in collaboration with the local community, that promote improved economic, environmental and social outcomes in regions,\n> > \n> > > (d) to assist communities in regions to capitalise on regional strengths by supporting the diversification, adaptation and resilience of regional economies, including in relation to established and emerging primary and other industries,\n> > \n> > > (e) to support the transition of communities affected by economic, environmental and social change,\n> > \n> > > (f) to facilitate the economic and social development of Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal enterprises in regions,\n> > \n> > > (g) to encourage cooperation in relation to the matters in paragraphs (a)–(f) among all tiers of government, including local government, the private sector and not-for-profit organisations.\n> \n> > (2) In this section—\n> > \n> > principles of ecologically sustainable development means the principles set out in the [Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1991-060), section 6(2).\n> \n> **s 3:** Am 2024 No 64, Sch 1\\[1\\] \\[2\\].","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definitions","content":"#### 4 Definitions\n\n4 Definitions\n\n> > (1) In this Act—\n> > \n> > accountable authority, for a GSF agency, has the same meaning as in the [Government Sector Finance Act 2018](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2018-055).\n> > \n> > Department means the department in which this Act is administered.\n> > \n> > financial year means the year commencing 1 July 2004 and each following year commencing on 1 July.\n> > \n> > Fund means the Regional Development Trust Fund established under section 11.\n> > \n> > group means a group within the meaning of the [Payroll Tax Act 2007](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2007-021).\n> > \n> > GSF agency has the same meaning as in the [Government Sector Finance Act 2018](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2018-055).\n> > \n> > payroll tax means payroll tax payable under the [Payroll Tax Act 2007](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2007-021), excluding additional tax and penal tax imposed by or under that Act.\n> > \n> > region means any part of New South Wales (whether described in terms of a local government area or areas or in other terms), other than the Sydney metropolitan area.\n> > \n> > Secretary means the Secretary of the Department.\n> > \n> > Sydney metropolitan area means the area constituted by the local government areas prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this definition.\n> \n> > (2) Notes included in this Act do not form part of this Act.\n> \n> **s 4:** Am 2007 No 21, Sch 4.2 \\[1\\]; 2024 No 64, Sch 1\\[3\\].","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"Part 2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Financial assistance","content":"# Part 2 Financial assistance\n\nPart 2 Financial assistance","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Grants of financial assistance","content":"#### 5 Grants of financial assistance\n\n5 Grants of financial assistance\n\n> > (1) The Minister may, on application made to the Minister or on the Minister’s own initiative, grant financial assistance to a person for a purpose that is consistent with one or more of the purposes specified in section 3.\n> \n> > (2) An application for assistance is to be in the form approved by the Secretary and is to be accompanied by any additional documentation or other information that the Secretary may require.\n> \n> > (3) In determining an application for financial assistance, the Minister may consider the likely economic impact on the region concerned of granting the assistance.\n> \n> > (4) Subsection (3) does not limit the matters that may be considered by the Minister.\n> \n> > (5) The Minister may, on application made to the Minister or at the Minister’s discretion, at any time withdraw or vary financial assistance granted under this Act.\n> \n> Note—\n> \n> The furnishing of false or misleading information in connection with an application or a false or misleading application is an offence under Part 5A of the [Crimes Act 1900](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1900-040). The maximum penalty for such an offence is 2 years imprisonment or 200 penalty units, or both.\n> \n> **s 5:** Am 2015 No 15, Sch 2.46; 2024 No 64, Sch 1\\[4\\] \\[5\\].","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Financial assistance that may be granted","content":"#### 6 Financial assistance that may be granted\n\n6 Financial assistance that may be granted\n\n> Financial assistance granted under section 5 may include the following—\n> \n> > (a) grants,\n> \n> > (b) subsidies,\n> \n> > (c) loans,\n> \n> > (d) payroll tax rebates,\n> \n> > (e) other assistance determined by the Minister.\n> \n> **s 6:** Am 2007 No 21, Sch 4.2 \\[2\\]. Subst 2024 No 64, Sch 1\\[6\\].","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Conditions of grants of financial assistance","content":"#### 7 Conditions of grants of financial assistance\n\n7 Conditions of grants of financial assistance\n\n> > (1) The Minister may, when granting financial assistance under this Act—\n> > \n> > > (a) make the assistance subject to a security, or\n> > \n> > > (b) impose conditions on the assistance.\n> \n> > (2) Without limiting subsection (1), conditions may relate to the following—\n> > \n> > > (a) meeting specified performance targets or outcomes,\n> > \n> > > (b) obtaining specified investment levels,\n> > \n> > > (c) repayment of assistance where specified performance targets or outcomes or investment levels are not met as required under a condition to which the grant is subject,\n> > \n> > > (d) the periods for which, or the intervals at which, assistance is to be provided,\n> > \n> > > (e) the payment of interest on the assistance.\n> \n> **s 7:** Am 2024 No 64, Sch 1\\[7\\] \\[8\\].","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Payroll tax rebates","content":"#### 8 Payroll tax rebates\n\n8 Payroll tax rebates\n\n> > (1) A grant of financial assistance under this Act may be in the form of a rebate of payroll tax paid by an employer during a specified financial year or years.\n> \n> > (2) The amount of the rebate is to be the amount calculated on a basis determined by the Minister.\n> \n> > (3) The Minister may determine that the rebate is or is not payable in respect of specified employees of an employer.\n> \n> > (4) An employer is not entitled to a rebate of payroll tax under this Act in respect of a financial year unless—\n> > \n> > > (a) all payroll tax payable by the employer in respect of that year has been paid, and\n> > \n> > > (b) if the employer has been a member of a group during the whole or any part of that year, all payroll tax payable by the other members of that group in respect of the period during which the employer was such a member has been paid.\n> \n> > (5) For the purposes of this section, if payroll tax is paid by the members of a group in respect of a period, each member of that group is taken to have paid (or paid only) that part of the payroll tax that bears to the payroll tax the same proportion as the wages paid by that member in respect of that period bears to the total wages paid by the members of that group in respect of that period.\n> \n> **s 8:** Am 2007 No 21, Sch 4.2 \\[2\\].","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Repayment of financial assistance","content":"#### 9 Repayment of financial assistance\n\n9 Repayment of financial assistance\n\n> > (1) A person who receives financial assistance under this Act may be required by the Minister by notice in writing to repay the financial assistance if—\n> > \n> > > (a) it was a condition of that assistance that it be repaid, or\n> > \n> > > (b) a condition to which the assistance was subject has not been complied with, or\n> > \n> > > (c) the Minister is of the opinion that the assistance was improperly obtained.\n> \n> > (2) An amount of financial assistance required to be repaid under this section may be recovered by the Secretary in a court of competent jurisdiction as a debt due to the Crown.\n> \n> > (3) In any proceedings instituted for the recovery of a debt due to the Crown under this section, a certificate of the Minister that a specified amount is the amount of the debt is evidence of that fact.\n> \n> **s 9:** Am 2024 No 64, Sch 1\\[9\\].","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Effect of Act","content":"#### 10 Effect of Act\n\n10 Effect of Act\n\n> Nothing in this Act prevents the Minister from granting, or limits the granting of, other assistance for or with respect to regional development, whether or not such assistance could be granted under this Act.","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"Part 3","sectionType":"part","heading":"Miscellaneous","content":"# Part 3 Miscellaneous\n\nPart 3 Miscellaneous","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Regional Development Trust Fund","content":"#### 11 Regional Development Trust Fund\n\n11 Regional Development Trust Fund\n\n> > (1) There is to be established in the Special Deposits Account a Regional Development Trust Fund into which is to be paid—\n> > \n> > > (a) all money appropriated by Parliament for the purposes of this Act, and\n> > \n> > > (b) any gift or bequest of money for the purposes of the Fund, and\n> > \n> > > (c) any fees or charges paid under the regulations, and\n> > \n> > > (d) any financial assistance repaid under this Act, and\n> > \n> > > (d1) the proceeds of the investment of money in the Fund, and\n> > \n> > > (d2) money paid as the repayment of the principal or the payment of interest for loans paid out of the Fund, and\n> > \n> > > (d3) money directed by 1 of the following to be paid into the Fund—\n> > > \n> > > > (i) a Minister,\n> > > \n> > > > (ii) a government agency,\n> > > \n> > > > (iii) a GSF agency,\n> > > \n> > > > (iv) an accountable authority for a GSF agency, and\n> > \n> > > (d4) money paid into the Fund by another person as a voluntary contribution, and\n> > \n> > > (d5) other money required by the regulations to be paid into the Fund, and\n> > \n> > > (e) any other money required by law to be paid into the Fund.\n> \n> > (2) There may be paid out of the Fund—\n> > \n> > > (a) amounts of financial assistance under this Act, and\n> > \n> > > (b) the costs of administering this Act, and\n> > \n> > > (b1) the amounts necessary for the procurement of goods and services that support one or more of the purposes specified in section 3, and\n> > \n> > > (c) any other money payable by law out of the Fund.\n> \n> > (3) The Minister may invest money in the Fund in any way the Department is permitted to invest money under the [Government Sector Finance Act 2018](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2018-055), Part 6.\n> \n> **s 11:** Am 2024 No 64, Sch 1\\[10\\]–\\[12\\].","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"11A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Governance framework and investment strategy","content":"#### 11A Governance framework and investment strategy\n\n11A Governance framework and investment strategy\n\n> > (1) The Minister must make the following as soon as practicable after the commencement of this section—\n> > \n> > > (a) a governance framework to guide the effective and transparent administration of this Act,\n> > \n> > > (b) an investment strategy to guide grants of financial assistance from the Fund and other payments out of the Fund (the investment strategy).\n> \n> > (2) The investment strategy must contain information about the following—\n> > \n> > > (a) the key focus areas for investment,\n> > \n> > > (b) the principles that guide investment in the focus areas,\n> > \n> > > (c) the investment pathways relating to processes for delivering funding.\n> \n> > (3) The Minister—\n> > \n> > > (a) must review the investment strategy at least once every 2 years, and\n> > \n> > > (b) may amend the investment strategy at any time.\n> \n> > (4) The Minister must publish the governance framework and investment strategy on the Department’s website.\n> \n> **s 11A:** Ins 2024 No 64, Sch 1\\[13\\].","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"11B","sectionType":"section","heading":"Annual report for Fund","content":"#### 11B Annual report for Fund\n\n11B Annual report for Fund\n\n> > (1) The Minister must, by 30 November after the end of each financial year—\n> > \n> > > (a) prepare an annual report on the Fund that includes the following information—\n> > > \n> > > > (i) details of payments from the Fund during the financial year,\n> > > \n> > > > (ii) actions taken by the Minister in relation to advice received from the Regional Development Advisory Council, including whether the Minister accepted or rejected the advice,\n> > > \n> > > > (iii) details of the membership of the Regional Development Advisory Council during the financial year, and\n> > \n> > > (b) publish a copy of the report on the Department’s website.\n> \n> > (2) Despite subsection (1), the annual report must not include information that, in the Minister’s opinion, is—\n> > \n> > > (a) commercial in confidence, or\n> > \n> > > (b) inappropriate for publication, including personal information within the meaning of the [Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1998-133).\n> \n> > (3) In this section—\n> > \n> > financial year means a period of 12 months commencing on 1 July.\n> \n> **s 11B:** Ins 2024 No 64, Sch 1\\[13\\].","sortOrder":15},{"sectionNumber":"12","sectionType":"section","heading":"Regional Development Advisory Council","content":"#### 12 Regional Development Advisory Council\n\n12 Regional Development Advisory Council\n\n> > (1) The Minister must establish a Regional Development Advisory Council.\n> \n> > (2) The members of the Advisory Council are to be appointed by the Minister in accordance with the regulations.\n> \n> > (3) The regulations may make provision for or with respect to the membership and procedure of the Advisory Council.\n> \n> > (4) The Advisory Council has the following functions—\n> > \n> > > (a) to advise the Minister on any matter that is referred to it by the Minister,\n> > \n> > > (b) to advise the Minister on any other matter it considers relevant to the object of this Act.\n> \n> > (5) In exercising the Minister’s functions under this Act, the Minister must consider any advice provided by the Advisory Council under section 12(4).\n> \n> **s 12:** Am 2024 No 64, Sch 1\\[14\\] \\[15\\].","sortOrder":16},{"sectionNumber":"13","sectionType":"section","heading":"Delegation of functions by Minister and Secretary","content":"#### 13 Delegation of functions by Minister and Secretary\n\n13 Delegation of functions by Minister and Secretary\n\n> > (1) The Minister may, by instrument in writing, delegate to the Secretary any function conferred or imposed on the Minister by or under this Act (other than this power of delegation).\n> \n> > (2) The Secretary may, by instrument in writing, subdelegate to any authorised person any function delegated to the Secretary by the Minister if the Secretary is authorised to do so by the Minister.\n> \n> > (3) The Secretary may, by instrument in writing, delegate to an authorised person any function conferred or imposed on the Secretary by or under this Act (other than this power of delegation).\n> \n> > (4) In this section—\n> > \n> > authorised person means—\n> > \n> > > (a) a member of staff of the Department, or\n> > \n> > > (b) another person prescribed by the regulations.\n> \n> **s 13:** Am 2024 No 64, Sch 1\\[16\\]–\\[18\\].","sortOrder":17},{"sectionNumber":"14","sectionType":"section","heading":"Disclosure of information","content":"#### 14 Disclosure of information\n\n14 Disclosure of information\n\n> A person must not disclose any information obtained in connection with the administration or execution of this Act unless that disclosure is made—\n> \n> > (a) with the consent of the person from whom the information was obtained, or\n> \n> > (b) in connection with the administration or execution of this Act (or any other Act), or\n> \n> > (c) for the purposes of any legal proceedings arising out of this Act (or any other Act) or of a report of any such proceedings, or\n> \n> > (d) in accordance with a requirement imposed under the [Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2009-052), or\n> \n> > (e) in accordance with a requirement imposed under the [Ombudsman Act 1974](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1974-068), or\n> \n> > (f) with the consent of the Minister, or\n> \n> > (g) for the purposes of or to a person in connection with the administration or execution of the [Payroll Tax Act 2007](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2007-021), or\n> \n> > (h) with other lawful excuse.\n> \n> Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.\n> \n> **s 14:** Am 2007 No 21, Sch 4.2 \\[3\\]; 2009 No 54, Sch 2.44.","sortOrder":18},{"sectionNumber":"15","sectionType":"section","heading":"Nature of proceedings for offences","content":"#### 15 Nature of proceedings for offences\n\n15 Nature of proceedings for offences\n\n> Proceedings for an offence under this Act or the regulations may be dealt with summarily before the Local Court.\n> \n> **s 15:** Am 2007 No 94, Sch 2.","sortOrder":19},{"sectionNumber":"16","sectionType":"section","heading":"Regulations","content":"#### 16 Regulations\n\n16 Regulations\n\n> > (1) The Governor may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, for or with respect to any matter that by this Act is required or permitted to be prescribed or that is necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.\n> \n> > (2) A regulation may create an offence punishable by a penalty not exceeding 50 penalty units.","sortOrder":20},{"sectionNumber":"17","sectionType":"section","heading":"Repeal","content":"#### 17 Repeal\n\n17 Repeal\n\n> The [Country Industries (Pay-roll Tax Rebates) Act 1977](/view/html/repealed/current/act-1977-079) is repealed.","sortOrder":21},{"sectionNumber":"18","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"#### 18\n\n18 (Repealed)","sortOrder":22},{"sectionNumber":"19","sectionType":"section","heading":"Savings and transitional provisions","content":"#### 19 Savings and transitional provisions\n\n19 Savings and transitional provisions\n\n> Schedule 1 has effect.","sortOrder":24},{"sectionNumber":"20","sectionType":"section","heading":"Review of Act","content":"#### 20 Review of Act\n\n20 Review of Act\n\n> > (1) The Minister is to review this Act to determine whether the policy objectives of the Act remain valid and whether the terms of the Act remain appropriate for securing those objectives.\n> \n> > (2) The review is to be undertaken as soon as possible after the period of 5 years from the date of assent to this Act.\n> \n> > (3) A report on the outcome of the review is to be tabled in each House of Parliament within 12 months after the end of the period of 5 years.","sortOrder":25},{"sectionNumber":"Schedule 1","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Savings and transitional provisions","content":"# Schedule 1 Savings and transitional provisions\n\nSchedule 1 Savings and transitional provisions\n\n(Section 19)\n\n**sch 1:** Am 2024 No 64, Sch 1\\[19\\].","sortOrder":26}],"analysis":{"summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Insufficient legislative content was provided to assess whether the Act's scope changed from its original intent. The existence of seven amendments since 2004 suggests the Act has evolved, but the nature and direction of those changes cannot be determined from the metadata alone."},"complexity_factors":["Only metadata and website navigation content was provided — no substantive legislative text was available for analysis","Multiple amendments over 20 years suggest accumulating complexity in the full Act, but cannot be assessed from this document","The Act's title suggests administrative/governance machinery, which can involve complex intergovernmental arrangements","Score is necessarily low given the near-complete absence of analysable legal content"],"plain_english_summary":"The Regional Development Act 2004 (NSW) is a framework law for promoting economic and community growth in regional New South Wales, administered by the Minister for Regional New South Wales. It has been in force since 2004 and amended several times, most recently on 30 September 2024, and remains current as of April 2026.\n\nThe Act principally affects regional residents, businesses, local councils and government bodies involved in funding or approving regional projects, shaping how resources and investment reach non‑metropolitan communities. Substantive provisions were not included in the supplied material."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Recent amendments expand governance, oversight and transparency: they require a published governance framework and investment strategy, regular review of that strategy, annual Fund reporting, and establishment of a Regional Development Advisory Council whose advice must be considered. The Fund's permitted receipts/payments were broadened (including procurement and investment proceeds). These changes broaden administrative control and reporting without altering the Act's core object to support regional economic development (ss 11, 11A, 11B, 12)."},"complexity_factors":["Broad ministerial discretion to grant, vary or withdraw assistance and to determine rebate bases (s 5(1), (5); s 8(2)-(3)).","Multiple forms of assistance (grants, subsidies, loans, payroll tax rebates and other assistance) with ministerial determination of scope (s 6).","Conditions, securities and repayment mechanisms, including recovery as a debt to the Crown and ministerial certificates as evidence (s 7; s 9(1)-(3)).","Eligibility and entitlement rules for payroll tax rebates tied to actual payroll‑tax payment and group apportionment rules (s 8(4)-(5)).","Establishment and permitted receipts/payments of the Regional Development Trust Fund, plus investment powers under Government Sector Finance Act provisions (s 11(1)-(3)).","New governance and transparency obligations: required governance framework, investment strategy with review, publication and specified investment guidance (s 11A), and mandatory annual Fund reporting with confidentiality carve‑outs (s 11B).","Obligatory Advisory Council whose advice the Minister must consider, with membership and procedures prescribed by regulation (s 12(1)-(5)).","Delegation and subdelegation scheme allowing the Secretary and authorised persons to exercise functions (s 13), increasing administrative discretion and compliance pathways.","Confidentiality rule with a monetary penalty for improper disclosure, and regulation‑making power that may create offences (s 14; s 16)."],"plain_english_summary":"This Act lets the Minister provide financial assistance to promote economic and employment growth in regional New South Wales using grants, loans, subsidies and payroll‑tax rebates. Decisions are made by the Minister; applications use Secretary‑approved forms and assistance can be conditional, secured, varied or required to be repaid (ss 3, 5–9, 8). A Regional Development Trust Fund—fed by parliamentary appropriations, repayments, gifts and fees—finances payments; the Minister must publish a governance framework, an investment strategy and an annual Fund report and appoint an Advisory Council whose advice must be considered (ss 11, 11A, 11B, 12)."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original 2004 Act focused primarily on grants and payroll tax rebates for regional businesses. The 2024 amendments significantly expanded the scope beyond pure economic assistance to include: (1) explicit environmental and social objectives (ecologically sustainable development, community resilience); (2) specific support for Aboriginal communities and enterprises; (3) governance and transparency requirements (investment strategies, annual reporting); (4) broader Fund purposes including procurement of goods and services; and (5) expanded funding sources including voluntary contributions and directed payments from other agencies. The Act has evolved from a simple grants mechanism to a comprehensive regional development framework."},"complexity_factors":["Moderate cross-referencing to other Acts (Government Sector Finance Act 2018, Payroll Tax Act 2007, Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991)","Nested conditions in section 8(4)-(5) for payroll tax rebates involving group employers and proportional liability calculations","Multiple funding sources for the Trust Fund (11 separate categories in section 11(1))","Exception-laden confidentiality provision (section 14) with 8 separate permitted disclosure pathways","Recent amendments (2024) added new accountability mechanisms (sections 11A, 11B) creating additional procedural layers"],"plain_english_summary":"This legislation establishes a scheme for the New South Wales Government to provide financial assistance to businesses, organisations and communities in regional areas (defined as anywhere in NSW outside the Sydney metropolitan area).\n\n**What it does:**\n- Creates a **Regional Development Trust Fund** (a special government account) to pay for grants, loans, subsidies and payroll tax rebates to support regional economic growth\n- Allows the Minister to give money to people and businesses for purposes like creating jobs, supporting sustainable development, helping Aboriginal enterprises, and assisting communities affected by economic change\n- Establishes a **Regional Development Advisory Council** to give the Minister independent advice\n- Requires the Minister to publish a governance framework and investment strategy, and to report annually on how the money is spent\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Businesses and employers in regional NSW who can apply for financial assistance\n- Local communities, Aboriginal enterprises, and not-for-profit organisations in regional areas\n- Government agencies administering the scheme\n\n**Key features:**\n- **Payroll tax rebates**: Employers can get rebates on payroll tax (a tax on wages) they've already paid, provided all their tax obligations are up to date\n- **Conditions**: The Minister can attach strings to the money—like requiring repayment if performance targets aren't met, or demanding security (such as a mortgage or guarantee)\n- **Repayment**: People who get assistance may have to pay it back if they obtained it improperly or broke conditions\n- **Confidentiality**: It's an offence to disclose information obtained under this Act without proper authority\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis Act gives the NSW Government flexible tools to intervene in regional economies—whether that's helping a town transition after a mine closes, supporting a new industry, or encouraging businesses to hire more staff in the regions. The 2024 amendments strengthened accountability by adding requirements for published strategies and annual reporting."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/regional-development-act-2004","history":"/api/acts/regional-development-act-2004/history","analysis":"/api/acts/regional-development-act-2004/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/regional-development-act-2004/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/regional-development-act-2004/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/regional-development-act-2004/documents"}}