New Format for Taste Riverina

Visitors and locals can now enjoy the best of Riverina produce any time of year with Taste Riverina being transformed in to a 12-month calendar of delicious food and wine events across the region. Formerly a month-long festival in October only, the new year round format will kick off on Sunday 8th April at the Piccolo Family Farm’s Autumn Festival.

“Taste Riverina has been so successful that we’ve decided to extend it to a year-round celebration of the region’s remarkable produce. This opens the doors for seasonal events and experiences at any time of the year,” said Mr Craig Sinclair, Chair of the Taste Riverina committee.

“This exciting development means that operators and organisations across the Riverina that want to be included in the Taste Riverina calendar can register their event now or at any time that suits them,” said Mr Sinclair.

“The one thing that remains the same is our commitment to Riverina grown and made produce.
Wherever you see the Taste Riverina logo, you can be assured that the event serves local produce almost exclusively,” said Mr Sinclair.

The Autumn Festival on Sunday 8th April will be the official launch of the new Taste Riverina format. Hosted by Piccolo Family Farm, the event features locally sourced food including organic rice, locally made salami and smoked meats, as well as local Murray Cod and cheese from Coolamon. Even the entertainment is homegrown with the soulful Ben Ceccato, local legends Malikah and the smooth Zac Robertson Band.

Over the past three years alone, the award-winning Taste Riverina Festival has brought a total of 110,673 visitors and $4.57 million in revenue to the Riverina, during October. With this new year-round format, those positive results are set to continue.

For more information about registering an event or to purchase tickets for the Autumn Festival, visit tasteriverina.com.au.

Destination Riverina Murray launches Riverina Destination Management Plan

The Riverina Murray Destination Management Plan (DMP) is a new document, released by Destination Riverina Murray (DRM). The DMP is designed to guide and assist DRM in their ongoing efforts to stimulate growth in the regions visitor economic sector.

Destination Riverina Murray was established by the NSW Government in 2017. Their key objective is to drive the growth of the region’s visitor economy. The region Covered by Destination Riverina Murray includes; Outback Riverina, Central Murray, Albury-Hume, Snowy Valleys, Eastern Riverina, and Western Riverina.

The DMP has five key outcomes which are all built around DRM’s core objective of boosting the regions visitor economy. These five outcomes include:

Strategic Development Themes which provide a framework for the identification of development opportunities across the region.

Priority Projects that will be a catalyst for driving increased visitation to the region.

A suite of Destination Development Opportunities.

Consideration of Strategic Cross-Border Projects which will have an impact on both sides of the river.

A number of Regional Positioning Projects which aim to strengthen the Riverina Murray region.

The full report is available for download here.

For further details about Destination Riverina Murray, visit the Destination NSW website.

RDA Riverina Annual Report 2016/17 released

RDA Riverina have released their annual report for 2016/17.  Highlights of the report include Message from the outgoing Chair Diana Gibbs, Riverina population and statistics, Case Studies on Majors Mulch, Limone, Piccolo Family Farm, Courabyra Wines, Building Better Regions funded projects, Snowy Valleys Tourism, Grow Our Own, Vetafarm and introducing RDA Riverina’s Workforce Development Plan.

New solar pumping checklist to help irrigators get the best value from solar

NSW Farmers, in conjunction with Riverina and Murray Regional Development Australia, has released a detailed checklist for anyone considering installing a grid-connected or diesel hybrid solar pumping system. 

Solar-PV-powered pumping systems use solar energy when the sun is shining, and can be coupled with grid-connected or diesel generated power at other times to ensure reliable, cost effective power for the duration of the pumping season.

Significant energy savings can be made if this solution is adopted. But before investing in a solar-PV powered pumping system, it’s smart to do your homework.

The new checklist, devised by NSW Farmers and various experts in the field, helps ensure you’ve ticked all the important boxes before opening your wallet.

The checklists build on the resources for irrigation and stock and domestic solutions previously developed by NSWFA in collaboration with the NSW government as part of the Solar Powered Pumping Initiative. The initiative involved research into a range of renewable technologies and the practical factors involved in selecting and installing solutions. A technical guide to installing solar for irrigation, quick reference solarpumping system brochures and a range of case studies are available. The NSWFA team are now seeking to advance a second stage of the project as a national program in collaboration with National Irrigators Council.

NSW Farmers advises that irrigators and installers use the new checklist as a reference “to ensure you’ve done the basic groundwork, checked warranties, asked the right questions, and can compare quotes from solar pumping businesses on a like for like basis”.

Download your checklist now – 

• Grid Connected Solar Pumping Systems: A checklist for solar irrigation quotes
• Solar Diesel Hybrid Pumping Systems: A checklist for solar irrigation quotes

For more information on solar pumping in agriculture, visit the Solar Powered Pumping Initiative on AgInnovators at www.aginnovators.org.au/project/solar-powered-pumping-initiative

Regional Growth Fund

The Regional Growth Fund is a $272.2 million investment program to provide grants of $10 million or more for major transformational projects, which support long term economic growth and create jobs in regions, including those undergoing structural adjustment. 

The Australian Government’s grant funding, through this Program, is expected to leverage investment from the private sector, not-for-profit organisations and other levels of government in the region. 

The expected outcomes of the Program are to: 

• create jobs
• drive economic growth
• build stronger regional communities. 

Click here to download the Fact Sheet and the Presentation

Thrive Riverina 1st Board Meeting for 2018

Our Director of Regional Development and CEO Rachel Whiting has joined the Board of Thrive Riverina.

Thrive Riverina (formerly known as Riverina Regional Tourism) is the local tourism organisation for the Riverina. Working in collaboration with Destination Riverina Murray, Thrive Riverina's purpose is to be a marketing collective for the visitor economy in the Riverina aimed at 'experience enthusiasts'.

The first Board meeting for 2018 was held in West Wyalong on the 20th February.  Pictured here is the Thrive Board and staff Feb 2018.

Left to right: Articulate Pear Tourism Officer Oumi Karenga-Hewitt, Board Members Luke Piccolo, Sara Morley, Craig Sinclair (President), Michael Harper, Rachel Whiting, Jennifer Connor, Brent Lawrence and Paige Campbell.

http://www.riverinatourism.com.au/about-rrt.aspx

Regional communities deserve better

RDA Riverina reaffirms its support of the Murray Darling Basin Plan following a Disallowance Motion passed in the Senate last week.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young moved a Disallowance Motion to overturn recommendations by the Murray Darling Basin Authority to reduce by 70 gigalitres the water recovery target for the Northern Basin within the Murray Darling Basin Plan (MDPB). The Motion passed with the support of the Labor Party and some of the cross-bench.

Despite this Disallowance Motion, RDA Riverina has pledged its support for the plan as the correct long-term option for the region.

“There is no factual basis for the Disallowance Motion,” Director of Regional Development and CEO Rachel Whiting said.

“When the Basin Plan became law with bipartisan support in November 2012, it contained a requirement for a Northern Basin Review. The outcome of this review was a recommendation that the recovery target should be reduced by 70 gigalitres to reduce unacceptable socio-economic impacts at a ‘cost’ of very slightly reduced environmental outcomes.

“This was triple bottom line thinking in action, all within the Plan's overall objective of creating a ‘Healthy, Working Basin’.  It is not correct to say 70 gigalitres is being taken away from the environment. Water use is being rebalanced to deliver more water to the environment, and the Northern Basin Review did exactly what was originally proposed, by adjusting the recovery target in the light of the best available information. 

“There is no basis for saying that this recovery reduction rewards bad behaviour by irrigators. The fraudulent use of water by certain irrigators who just happen to be in the Northern Basin is a matter for the states, to ensure compliance with existing regulation, and is nothing to do with the Plan.”

Ms Whiting said the impacts of NSW withdrawing from the Plan are unclear, and would certainly reduce levels of confidence and certainty for our community, as well as putting future funding from the Australian Government in doubt.

“While we acknowledge there has been some pain involved in the adjustment and rebalancing process, the Plan has been and will be beneficial to the Riverina community overall. There is no doubt the Plan has delivered certainty to the Riverina region, as witnessed by the levels of investment made in the Riverina over the past five years." 

“Change is not easy, but the Plan is a long-term strategy that will deliver a highly productive and efficient irrigation industry, with an effective water market. Investment based on this new ‘business as usual’ will deliver jobs and growth for the Riverina.

“To now cast doubt on the future of the Plan is not helpful. Playing political games with the future of our people must stop. Our regional communities deserve better.”

RDA Riverina hosts PNG dignitary

RDA Riverina hosted The Hon Dr Willian Tongamp MP, Governor of Jiwaka, Papua New Guinea, during his trip to Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 14 February.

A former academic and mining engineer, Dr Tongamp is leader of the People’s Party and is presently serving his second term as Governor of Jiwaka.

Director of Regional Development and CEO Rachel Whiting said discussions during the visit were wide ranging.

“RDA Riverina presented Dr Tongamp with our Riverina Regional Profile and our Horticulture Skills Study.  We also discussed how the Country Change campaign works to encourage people to move to the Riverina and our work with Skilled Migration. 

“As well as agriculture, Dr Tongamp is interested in how different levels of government work together, early childhood and primary education, women’s programs for remote areas and distance education. He is also interested in getting skilled workers to his region.”

As part of the visit, Governor Tongamp also met with representatives from the Graham Centre, Charles Sturt University CSU Agriculture academics, The Riverina Anglican College and Wagga Wagga City Council Mayor, Cr Greg Conkey.

Profile Provides Snapshot of the Region

With a focus on facilitating the growth and prosperity of the region, RDA Riverina has produced a Regional Profile to help local government, industry, small business and community groups better understand the region in which they operate.

The Regional Profile includes population, demographic, employment, industry, tourism and housing information presented in an easy-to-read format.

As RDA Riverina Director of Regional Development and CEO Rachel Whiting explains, the Regional Profile was compiled from a range of sources including REMPLAN, ABS Census data, .id Forecast and Destination NSW.

“RDA Riverina sees enormous value in supplying up-to-date information for local government, industry, business and community groups to enable them to better understand the region they work in and for use in business planning, tenders, grant applications, proposals and capability statements. 

“This information will also assist regional entrepreneurs and emerging business leaders to explore new opportunities to grow local jobs in the region by focusing on their competitive advantage.”

The Report includes statistics such as:

• Population forecast: the region’s population is expected to grow by 14.5% from 2018, reaching 187,500 by 2036
• Industry information: the total output generated by the Riverina’s economy in 2016 was estimated at $21.678 billion, with Manufacturing and Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing the two key drivers of the economy
• Tourism data: visitor numbers increased by 12.1% in 2016-17, with visitor expenditure increasing by 11.4% to $661 million

Member for Riverina Michael McCormack said the Regional Profile provides a single point for people to easily access important information.

“The statistics collated by RDA Riverina give organisations and businesses in the region vital knowledge to apply best-practice solutions to localised issues," Mr McCormack said.

“I commend the work the RDA Riverina team does to help better understand the part of the world in which we live.”

While the Regional Report provides a snapshot, RDA Riverina can also provide more specialised data for individual entities on a fee-for-service basis, such as investment impact analysis, cementing its value as the go-place for regional data and investment information.

Families make a Country Change

When Andre and Keryl De Hann moved to Coolamon with their young family, it was a big change from the lives they had in Sydney – and they couldn’t be happier.

Andre and Keryl, owners of Sweet Briar B&B, share their story as part of a new campaign promoting the Riverina as the ideal place to make a Country Change.

“We came to Coolamon to visit a friend and moved here. We accidentally walked into Sweet Briar and we just jumped in boots and all,” Andre said.

“Coolamon is a great place. We get to be a lot more involved in the boys’ lives and it’s just been easier to connect in everyday life. It’s not separate; I’m not going off to work and only seeing them in the evening.”

An initiative of Regional Development Australia (RDA) Riverina, the Country Change campaign is jointly funded by RDA partnering with 10 regional councils and is supported by the NSW State Government’s Regional Growth – Marketing and Promotion Fund.

Click here for the full media release

Morning Tea with Tanya Dupagne

Last week RDA Riverina were privileged to host Tanya Dupagne, 2017 AgriFutures™ Rural Women’s Award National Winner, as our guest speaker.  Tanya spoke about her program Camp Kulin, what it is like to be a ‘Country Changer’ and the Rural Women’s Award leadership opportunities.  It was a lovely morning tea.  Thank you to everyone who joined us. 

If you’d like to learn more about Tanya and her Camp Kulin projects and programs or other state winners check out the link below.

http://www.agrifutures.com.au/people-leadership/rural-womens-award/current-winners/

November Ag Day Breakfast

On the 21st November RDA Riverina in conjunction with AgriFutures Australia and Riverina Ag Network hosted a National Ag Day breakfast.  This was the first for a cornerstone event in our region. 

With Agriculture generating $2,313.673 M in revenue to the Riverina, RDA Riverina believe it should be supported and celebrated. 

We were joined from 7.30am at the AgriFutures verandah and lawn at CSU Wagga campus with 60 people to enjoy local, eggs, bacon, orange juice, water and coffee from Cackleberries Eggs, Wagga Wagga Free Range Pork - Berkshire Pigs, AusGrown Orange Juice, and Big Springs Water.  

Thanks also to Wollundry Rotary for manning the BBQ.  The event asked for a gold coin donation and a total of $136.40 was raised with the funds going to a Rotary Health project “Lift The Lid On Mental Illness.”

RDA Riverina local photography competition

Image Credit: Grant Higginson

We are pleased to announce that Grant Higginson from Cut Above Productions won our Facebook photo competition with a tranquil image of a Canola Field near Junee.   RDA Riverina developed this opportunity for local photographers to appear on the RDA Riverina website to fill the need for top quality images that represent the Riverina on a new website. Photographers were asked the question ‘What image best shows off where you live, work or play?’ All photographers will be acknowledged for their work on the RDA Riverina website.  Our winner Grant Higginson wins an iPad mini for his efforts.

2017 Building Better Regions, Infrastructure and Community Grants

Congratulations to all Riverina Businesses, Councils and Community Groups Successful in the 2017 Building Better Regions Infrastructure and Community Grants.

RDA Riverina supports grant applicants with their process and writes letters of support to projects that fit with the Riverina Plan.

Building Better Regions Fund

RDA Riverina expect a new round of Building Better Regions Funding will be released before the end on 2017.  Please watch the website link above.

Building Better Regions Fund Funding Offers

Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council were successful in the Infrastructure round to assist in the replacement of their sewerage treatment plant for Gundagai.  This is a time critical project and RDA Riverina were very happy to support this project.

Applicant Organisation: Cootamundra - Gundagai Regional Council
Project Name: Gundagai Sewage Treatment Plant Replacement Project - Replacement of sewage treatment plant
Grant Approved: $3,500,000
Total Project Cost: $7,000,000

Building Better Regions Fund Community Investments Stream Funding Offers

The Community grant applications were very successful in the Riverina.  RDA Riverina look forward to working with these organisations to assist where possible on these projects as they come into place.

Riverina successes below:

Applicant Organisation: Coolamon Shire Council
Project Name: Launch Pads and Modular Pumptrack
Grant Approved: $45,800
Total Project Cost: $91,600

Applicant Organisation: Eastern Riverina Arts
Project Name: Eastern Riverina Community Arts Venues Audit and Database
Grant Approved: $19,350
Total Project Cost: $19,350

Applicant Organisation: Griffith City Council
Project Name: The Festival of Lights
Grant Approved: $18,500
Total Project Cost: $18,500

Applicant Organisation: Leeton Shire Council
Project Name: Yanco and Whitton - Community Directed Placemaking
Grant Approved: $15,000
Total Project Cost: $15,000

Applicant Organisation: Snowy Valleys Council
Project Name: Development of a Hume & Hovell Track Mountain Bike Trail Master Plan
Grant Approved: $25,000
Total Project Cost: $50,000

Applicant Organisation: Snowy Valleys Council
Project Name: Snowy Valleys Economic Development Masterplan
Grant Approved: $45,000
Total Project Cost: $90,000

Applicant Organisation: Wagga Wagga City Council
Project Name: Fusion Sustainability Strategy
Grant Approved: $18,400
Total Project Cost: $18,400

Riverina Regional Business Accelerator Wrap Up

On 7th June 2017, RDA-Riverina was proud to host our Riverina Regional SME Accelerator showcase.

The Riverina Regional SME Accelerator gave 8 Riverina businesses the opportunity to be a part of our twelve week, six step program enabling them to grow their business and invest in their future.

These businesses included:

• Courabyra Wines
• Silvertone
• Nest Tumbarumba
• Knights Meats
• Borambola Wines
• Big Springs
• Majors Mulch
• Piccolo Group

Building Better Regions Fund Applications Are Open

The Building Better Regions Fund provides funding for infrastructure projects and community investment that will create jobs, drive economic growth and build stronger regional communities into the future.

There are two streams The Infrastructure Projects Stream and the Community Investment Stream. Both have separate guidelines so make sure you read the correct guidelines for your project. 

Click here for information and to apply for the fund.

Access this PDF for guidelines supplied by RDA Riverina.

Riverina Regional Business Accelerator Program

Businesses that invest in their futures grow and create new, sustainable jobs.  How does business find the support it needs to grow?

RDA Riverina invites business owners and managers to a Riverina Regional Business Accelerator Breakfast designed to present a roadmap to growing your business and investing in your future.

With the help of the Riverina Regional Growth Team you will gain insight into the growth status of your business.

After the breakfast you can choose to apply to be part of the twelve week, six step accelerator program. The program includes 1:1 time with a trained and experienced business mentor.

The program culminates in a one day showcase with experts and potential investors.

Click here for full PDF

Register on eventbrite: 

• Griffith
• Wagga

The Inaugural NSW Regional Events Conference

This year 2-4 May 2016 Wagga Wagga will host the Inaugural Regional Events Conference.

The NSW Regional Events Conference will be the first conference of its kind in NSW. Finally event professionals and event stakeholders will have the opportunity to get together and hear from targeted and experienced presenters discussing issues and topics that directly impact the regional event industry.

A quality program blended with networking opportunities, thought provoking/constructive discussions and smashing social activities is the NSW Regional Events Conference recipe and will appeal to those that are hungry for knowledge and strong industry contacts.

RDA Riverina are offering the opportunity for two young people (18-35 years) working within the tourism and events industry and residing in the RDA Riverina region (Bland, Carrathool, Coolamon, Cootamundra, Griffith, Gundagai, Hay, Junee, Leeton, Lockhart, Murrumbidgee, Narrandera, Temora, Tumut and Wagga Wagga).

RDA Riverina is now calling for Expressions of Interest (EOI) to attend the NSW Regional Events Conference. For more information about the conference please visit http://www.regionaleventsconference.com.au/

To complete the EOI form please click here

Should you have any queries please contact the RDA Riverina Project Officer, Marg Couch .

Breaking the Ice

The Australian Drug Foundation

With funding from New South Wales Health we’re providing community education concerned with crystalline methamphetamine or ‘ice’ throughout New South Wales.

We are determined to tell the truth about ‘ice’ by telling you real stories, providing you with factual information and giving you tangible tools that you can use to help make a difference.

Issues around ‘ice’ use aren’t limited to any particular part of the population - we’ve all got a stake in forging more resilient, healthier communities.

For more information please visit http://adf.org.au/breakingtheice

Riverina Food and Beverage Directory Update March 2016

The March 2016 version of the Riverina Food Directory is now available. The Project Officer at RDA Riverina, Marg Couch has compiled the latest version which is available by Clicking Here.