Regional Development Australia (RDA) is a partnership between the Australian, state, territory and local governments to develop and strengthen the regional communities of Australia.
The Australian Government’s vision for regional Australia is one of strong connected regions that shape economic growth and wellbeing; are resilient and responsive to economic shocks; and are inclusive, vibrant and diverse. Regions that our First Nations people have every opportunity to engage in and shape, and where people, business and investments thrive.
The Regional Development Australia (RDA) Program is critical in the delivery of this vision and the successful implementation of the Regional Investment Framework: the Australian Government’s approach to supporting strong and sustainable regions, which drives a coordinated approach to regional development, underpinned by local engagement.
The national network of 50 RDA committees represents a broad range of experiences including from local government, private sector, community and not-for-profit sectors.
RDA committees are real-time advisers to government on critical regional development issues, opportunities and challenges in their regions. RDAs use their local, cross-sector expertise and regional voice to:
• collaborate with integrity, transparency, respect and accountability
• engage with diverse communities, especially First Nations people
• support the Government’s ambition of ‘no one held back and no one left behind’
• support gender equality opportunities in their regions.
In supporting their communities, RDAs help to drive local economies, attract business opportunities and seek place-based solutions to make Australia’s regions better places to live, work and thrive.
The program is administered by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts. It is funded by the Australian Government and by state, territory and local governments in some jurisdictions.
The Minister with responsibility for the RDA Program is the Hon Kristy McBain MP, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories.
To find out more, visit www.rda.gov.au or www.infrastructure.gov.au
What do we do?
Image Credit: Samantha Blackett
Regional Development Australia-Riverina (RDA-Riverina) is a national network of committees fostering regional economic development. RDA Riverina works with three tiers of government, regional business and the wider community to boost the economic capability and performance of their region.
RDA-Riverina is a non-profit, community-based organisation, with a board comprised of 10 members from across the region who represent local communities, businesses and local government. The board has a broad and diverse skills base and demonstrated networks and alliances. It is these qualities which assist in developing local solutions to local problems and ensure the prosperity of the Riverina.
Roles and responsibilities
RDA boards will facilitate policies, programmes and projects designed to strengthen human capital, productivity, infrastructure, access to markets, regional comparative advantage, and business competitiveness, leading to increased economic activity and the creation of new jobs, along with improved standards of living and working conditions.
RDA Riverina’s area of focus of the past five years has been and will continue to be workforce development for the Riverina.
RDA Riverina’s workforce development plan consists of:
Skilled Migration: RDA Riverina is a Regional Certifying Body for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) or the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494).
Country Change: Encouraging people to move to the Riverina for work, education and recreation. See www.countrychange.com.au.
Griffith Welcome Experience: The Welcome Experience is a NSW Government Department of Regional NSW initiative designed to facilitate, attract, prepare and welcome key frontline public service workers to regional NSW.
DAMA: RDA Riverina have lodged an application to expand the current Orana Designated Area Migration Agreement to include the Riverina region.
NSW GROW: The NSW Growing Regions of Welcome (GROW) pilot is a lifestyle and employment program underway in the Murray and Riverina regions. It aims to connect interested people from migrant and refugee backgrounds living in Western Sydney with opportunities in regional NSW.
Asylum Seeker Employment Skills Support (ASESS) Program: ASESS is a Host International program providing practical support and assistance to temporary humanitarian visa holders in NSW to help them gain sustainable and skilled employment.
Grow Our Own: Encouraging young people to find career pathways and education whilst staying in the Riverina. See www.growourown.com.au.
Jobs Riverina Murray: Jobs Riverina Murray is a free resource for employers and job seekers in the Riverina and Murray region. Visit the Jobs Riverina Murray page at www.jobsriverinamurray.com.au or read the media release.
Projects and initiatives
Outcome areas for RDA-Riverina:
Critical Issues: RDA Riverina is to provide advice to the Government on critical issues affecting the Riverina region.
Priority Activities: RDA Riverina is to provide advice to the Government on priority activities that will drive regional economic development, on future economic opportunities and on the Riverina region's comparative advantage, based on consultation and engagement with community leaders.
Project Proposals: Assistance to local community stakeholders in order for them to develop project proposals; and referral of stakeholders to appropriate public and/or private funding sources-including the $841.6 million Building Better Regions Fund.
Promote Australian Government Programmes: increased awareness of Australian Government programmes in the Riverina region.
Image Credit: The Rock - Leanne Thomas
RDA-Riverina takes leadership in bringing together Riverina organisations and delivering learning opportunities for individuals and groups across the region, such as:
Interest group meetings, such as the Riverina Development Officers Network
Facilitating workshops and seminars focusing on skills development and capacity building
Sponsorship opportunities for regional events of relevance to RDA
Gathering economic, sustainability and social inclusion information regarding the Riverina region
Providing information on government grant programs, services and other initiatives
Vision
RDA-Riverina will be a region renowned for its excellence in all dimensions – economic, social and environmental with emphasis on innovation, lifelong learning, healthy living and an optimistic outward looking culture based on confidence, resilience and social inclusion.
Mission
RDA-Riverina will build partnerships that facilitate the development of a sustainable region.