RDA Riverina STEM Showcase

The Riverina was selected in 2019 as one of the new regions for the NSW Department of Education SISP Program (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics, Industry, School, Partnerships).

In November RDA Riverina invited over 1000 students to attend a STEM showcase. The event was part of a 2 day program showcasing Women in STEM within the region including talks from influencers to students about career opportunities in STEM fields.

Guests Included:

Youth Ambassador - Tamara Baker, 15 year old STEM guru and hacker, who shared her story and passion
Dr Alison Southwell from CSU Wagga Wagga, focussing on Agriculture and Rural Science
Dr Pip Southwell from Charles Sturt University Three Rivers University Department of Rural Health
Dr Sibohan Cole from Wagga Wagga Base Hospital
IT Professional Tegan Le Page from Leading Edge Computers, Griffith
Kylie Burret, Designer of the Splat 3D
Peggy Mangovski, Diversity Leader for the STEM Industry School Partnerships Program

Each session was finished on a high with a live science demonstration wowing the audience. Students all received complimentary water, Rice Snacks from SunRice, a 3D Splat Tool and a piece of fruit kindly donated by Joes' Citrus.

RDA Riverina would like to thank all of our amazing supporters including Charles Sturt University, Deakin University, NSW Department of Education, Grow Our Own - Western Riverina, MASE, Three Rivers UDRH, Leading Edge Computers, Solar Mad, I2R Industries, and SunRice.

Know Your Drone

Australians are flying drones in record numbers. It's important we all understand the rules that keep us safe.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has launched a new website for people who fly for fun. It includes an interactive quiz to test your knowledge and information on Australia’s drone safety rules in 20 languages.

CASA-verified drone safety web and mobile apps provide location-based information on where you can and can't fly your drone. Drone flyers should also check local by-laws before they fly.

Stay up to date with the latest news and information for drone flyers in Australia, subscribe to the drone mailing list.

Be safe this Summer – Know Your Drone. For more information, go to www.knowyourdrone.gov.au

Skills training for drought affected farmers and businesses

The NSW Government is subsidising skills training for farmers and regional businesses impacted by the drought to support off farm income and diversification of business practices. 

Access to this funding aims to provide support to farmers and businesses to manage the impact of the drought.

What kind of training is available?

A wide range of training is available, including but not limited to the following areas:

• Heavy Vehicle

• Forklift tickets

• Confined spaces

• Dogging

• Auto electrics

• Drone operations

• Business Management

• Chainsaw operations

• Excavator tickets

• Elevated work platform

• Small Engine Maintenance

• Work Health & Safety

• Book Keeping

• Farm Management

Training is available through the Smart and Skilled Targeted Priorities Prevocational and Part Qualifications program.

For information on training that will suit your specific circumstances please call your local Training Services NSW Office on 13 28 11.

What does it cost?

Part qualification training is available under the NSW Government's Smart and Skilled program. Part qualification training is fully subsidised (i.e. fee-free).

Under this initiative, access to fully subsidised training for individuals affected by the drought who meet the eligibility criteria has been made a priority.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible an applicant must:

1. Meet Smart and Skilled eligibility criteria.

Individuals must be:

• 15 years old or over

• no longer at school

• living or working in NSW, and

• an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, humanitarian visa holder or New Zealand citizen.

2. Reside in a postcode within Regional NSW (defined as all of NSW excluding Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong metropolitan areas).

3. Be a business owner or farmer in a drought affected area or a contractor or worker who has been displaced as a result of the drought.

Why is this support available?

Due to the severity of the drought, the farming and agriculture sector are experiencing income losses or business closure. Access to funding aims to provide a pathway to alternative income sources or new career options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to frequently asked questions can be found here.

As part of the NSW Government's Drought Strategy, other support is available including the Farm Business Skills Professional Development Program. Information on this can be found here.

Regional Wellbeing Survey

The University of Canberra conducts a Regional Wellbeing Survey each year. The aim is to support research that improves the wellbeing and quality of life of people living in rural and regional Australia. The results of the survey help to provide insights that support the development of strategies to build wellbeing, resilience and adaptive capacity in these regions.

The Regional Wellbeing Survey has six parts:

• Questions about the quality of life and liveability of your community.

• Questions about your health and wellbeing, and your household.

• Questions about the drought and its effects.

• Questions about land management and farming (with some parts only asked if you are a farmer).

Taking part in the survey lets you have your say on issues ranging from how your community is changing, your health, and your wellbeing. The survey is voluntary, confidential and anonymous, and you can choose to do a short or regular version. All survey participants aged 18 or over who complete the survey by midnight on Friday, 20 December can enter the draw with a chance to win one of 18 prizes to the total value of $7,000.

Call 1800 981 499 if you'd like to be posted a paper survey or for help with the survey.

There is no limit on how many people in each household can complete the survey if they wish.

Griffith Housing Strategy

Griffith City Council is pleased to announce that the Griffith Housing Strategy was adopted at Council on 26 November 2019. Grant funding from the Building Better Regions Fund enabled Council to commission a detailed analysis of the current state of housing availability in Griffith. This evidence-based study, undertaken by Dr Judith Stubbs suggests methods of increasing access to diverse housing options for key target groups in the city experiencing housing stress.

There has been extensive consultation with Councillors, key Council staff and major community stakeholders in Griffith to inform the study with two consultation sessions held with Councillors and two sessions held with key community stakeholders. A further forum for the community was also held during the consultation period. Following a 48 day exhibition period Council received 9 submissions, took this valuable feedback on board and amended the strategy accordingly. The final report to Council details the responses to the submissions and can be found on page 31 of the agenda from the Council meeting held on Tuesday 26 November download here.

Please download copies of the Griffith Housing Strategy and Background Report Paper below. A two page Summary of the Strategy is also available for download.

Download the Papers Here

Strategy Summary | Housing Strategy | Background Report

For further information please contact Griffith City Council's Economic Development Team 
Shireen Donaldson | shireen.donaldson@griffith.nsw.gov.au | 6962 8100
Karly Sivewright | karly.sivewright@griffith.nsw.gov.au | 0417 368 169

Better connectivity for regional NSW

The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment is conducting a community survey seeking feedback on digital connectivity issues in regional areas.

What's this about?

A comprehensive survey has been launched in conjunction with a series of community consultation events across regional NSW.

This initiative ensures these communities have a voice as the NSW Government commits to delivering improved digital infrastructure across the state under the Regional Digital Connectivity program. 

Face-to-face consultations will be held at up to 20 locations with known connectivity issues, to better understand the issues experienced.

The feedback received will ensure the delivery of a solution that will have a lasting impact for regional NSW.

Have your say

 There are two ways to submit your feedback:

Online: Complete the online survey
In person: Attend a community consultation. Find out more about dates and locations.

Have your say by Tuesday 31 December 2019

More Information

• Email: Project leader

• Phone: 1300 679 673

• Agency Website

National Ag Day Celebration

National Ag Day is led by the National Farmers Federation (NFF) and involves a broad coalition of industry groups, corporate business and government. The day aims to celebrate Australian agriculture and raise awareness of the role it plays. The theme for the 2019 event is ‘We Are Australian Farmers.’

AgriFutures Australia, the Graham Centre and RDA Riverina support Australian farmers through research, innovation and regional development to improve sustainability and profitability.

 In the new campaign, ‘We Are Australian Farmers’ the NFF is highlighting that we are all part of the cycle of Australian agriculture, in this cycle research and development is crucial to helping agriculture and our regional communities thrive.

We recognise that many farmers are battling tough seasonal conditions and we’re pleased to be able to show support for the sector and raise money for drought relief, with funds donated to the Country Women’s Association.

The event has been made possible with the support of Junee Rotary and CSU Cheers.

Inland Rail Interface Improvement Program

Expressions of interest (EOI) can now be submitted for the first round of applications under the Inland Rail Interface Improvement Program (II Program).

Individuals, businesses and organisations with good ideas on how to maximise the connectivity or enhance supply chain productivity from Inland Rail are invited to apply. We encourage supply chain managers, producers, local and state governments, local businesses, community representatives and freight and train operators to identify projects for consideration under the II Program.

•Applications for the October round close Thursday 5:00PM AEDT, 31 October 2019.

 Multiple proposals are welcomed.

The Interface Improvement Program is funded over the 2019-20 and 2020-21 financial years. A second EOI round is expected to open in April 2020.

RDA Riverina Annual Report 2018/19 Released

RDA Riverina is pleased to present our annual report for 2018/19. Highlights of the report include Message from the CEO and Director of Regional Development Rachel Whiting, Riverina population and statistics, Case Studies on Big Springs, Borambola Wines, Nest Cafe, De Bortoli Wines and Forough Ataollahi, as well as information on our Workforce Development Plan and collaborative work including Country Change and the Regional Resettlement of Refugees project.

AgriTech Incubator ATI Riverina: Ready to Launch Pitch Night

The latest participants from the AgriTech Incubator ATI Riverina: Ready to Launch program are wrapping up their 8 week pre-accelerator program, concluding with a pitch night on Monday 30th September.

We would be thrilled if you would join us to support these fantastic entrepreneurs pitching their business ideas to the attending audience.

The participants represent a wonderfully diverse group with some great solutions to local and global issues. Their business ideas range from using animation to tell Wiradjuri stories to soothing sore ears while flying to using AI to find electrical issues and all manner of other great ideas!

Time:

6.00pm – Pitch by Incubator Program Participants

7.00pm - Light refreshments, networking and the opportunity to meet with Program Participants at their Demo tables.

Venue: Convention Centre, Building 230, CSU Wagga Wagga Campus

We are delighted to announce that Jo Palmer, New South Wales remote work advocate, Founder & Managing Director of Pointer Remote Roles, 2019 AgriFutures™ Rural Women’s Award National Winner (and AgriTech Incubator alumna) will be our guest speaker for the evening.

We look forward to seeing you at this event as we celebrate the success of the region’s future entrepreneurial businesses and innovative leaders.

Register today to avoid missing out - Limited seating.

2020 Jan Cathcart Scholarship

Jan Cathcart Scholarship - Investing in the Future of the Australian Rice Industry

2020 Applications Now Open – Up to $30,000 Available to Fund Tertiary Studies

Applications for the 2020 Jan Cathcart Scholarship are now open for women involved in the Australian rice industry, offering financial assistance valued at $10,000 a year for up to three years of tertiary study.

The scholarship, which honours the memory of long-term SunRice employee Jan Cathcart and her 43 years with the rice industry, provides numerous opportunities for recipients, from financial support, to work experience and employment placements with SunRice, and professional and personal growth.

SunRice Chairman Laurie Arthur encouraged women in the rice industry to apply, saying:

“The recipients of the Jan Cathcart Scholarship have all shown a desire to contribute to the rice industry, as well as agriculture as a whole, and we’re looking to support the professional development of women in these industries. This scholarship pays tribute to Jan’s enormous commitment to the rice industry by helping recipients in their studies and with employment options.”

Rural Aid - 10 Towns Makeover Initiative

10 TOWNS MAKEOVER INITIATIVE

Would your town like a makeover? Then Rural Aid and our Farm Army volunteers can help!

Rural Aid, our Farm Army volunteers and Corporate Partners can help.

As the worst drought in history continues to take its toll, Rural Aid is launching a campaign aimed at providing 10 country towns impacted by drought, with a makeover.

Established within Rural Aid’s ongoing Sustainable Community program, the 10 Towns will receive a minimum of $100,000 each over five years.

Working with town leaders the money will be spent developing plans, through facilitated workshops, to support the long-term sustainability of the town and local community. Rural Aid will partner with experts in rural/regional town renewal who will work with town leaders to develop the long-term renewal strategy.

Rural Aid’s Farm Army of volunteers (usually between 50 – 100) will also spend a week in the town undertaking a range of infrastructure projects which town leaders identify as important to the town and community.

NSW Small Business Month

NSW Small Business Month 2019 is coming!

NSW Government has announced their line-up of spectacular events kicking off on 1 October designed to support small businesses to start and grow in NSW. This year’s program includes a variety of free activities including webinars, business breakfasts, social media workshops, networking sessions and much more.

This year’s official sponsors of NSW Small Business Month include Facebook, DELL, NAB and Service NSW. Each sponsor is hosting a range of free events across the state that includes:

·         How to protect your business against cyber threats brought to you by Dell and hosted by David Koch from Sunrise, and will feature a panel discussion with Cybersecurity experts from industry and government.

·         Boost with Facebook workshops across the state offering free digital skills modules tailored to help you build your online brand.

·         A Parramatta Small Business Breakfast Forum brought to you by NAB, featuring local entrepreneurs sharing their journey and the challenges they faced when starting their business.

·         Networking events supported by Service NSW covering topics from women business leaders in Port Macquarie, to startups in Newcastle, and inspirational Indigenous business thought leaders in Tamworth.

So what are you waiting for? Register for an event in your local area today and get your business going and growing!

Inland Rail Scholarships Program

The Inland Rail Scholarships Program aims to provide real world education opportunities for regional students considering an undergraduate degree at University of Southern Queensland, Charles Sturt University and La Trobe University.

Students commencing study in 2020 and 2021 can apply for 20 Inland Rail Scholarships, each valued at up to $20,000, or $5,000 for every year of study.

Inland Rail Scholarships are a great opportunity for students to launch their career paths in industries which directly contribute to their region’s prosperity and social cohesion.

Indigenous people and those experiencing financial hardship are particularly encouraged to apply.

The Scholarships Program is part of the Inland Rail Skills Academy, which is creating value for communities along the Inland Rail alignment by offering education and training programs which increase the number of skilled local residents.

Power infrastructure upgrade help available for regional businesses

Does your business need an electrical infrastructure upgrade to maximise growth? Help is available from the NSW Government.

Applications are open for the pilot NSW Regional Business Power Infrastructure Upgrade Program (RBPIUP) to help businesses to overcome electrical infrastructure impediments and boost growth.

The pilot program is targeted at regional businesses with projects that have the potential to result in substantial job growth and that will benefit the local economy and other businesses in their area. 

Who can apply?

To apply, businesses must:

• have a Australian Business Number (ABN)

• be registered for GST

• be located in Regional NSW, which excludes metropolitan Sydney and suburbs, Newcastle and Wollongong

• employ at least three full-time or part-time employees, who can include owners

• have been trading for at least two years.

What information is required?

A key component of the RBPIUP is that companies must be able to demonstrate that:

• there is an electrical infrastructure impediment to growth

• the proposed infrastructure has the potential to benefit more than one business

• the project will result in job growth

• the business has provided evidence that an energy efficiency options(external link) review has been conducted or they have registered for the Introduction to Energy Management course(external link) through Office of Environment & Heritage.

Which businesses will not be considered?

Businesses will not be eligible to apply if:

• the projects that require an electrical infrastructure upgrade compromise competitive neutrality

• suppliers of services for delivery of infrastructure have common ownership or control with the company applying for funds

• you need financial support for internal project costs – this fund is only available for external third-party costs.

Types of assistance

Applicants must contribute at least 50 per cent of the cost of a project and financial assistance of up to $100,000 (ex. GST) is available.

Applications are open

Application forms will only be provided following a discussion between a Department of Premier and Cabinet regional business development manager and a company principal. 

For more information call 1300 679 673 or email regionalnsw.business@dpc.nsw.gov.au. 

Completed applications should be supported by at least two years of financial statements for the business, projections for the next three years and evidence that an energy efficiency options review has been conducted.

Evidence of an energy efficiency options review should be in the form of a letter from a source independent to the business.

2020 Charity Brunch Community Grants

Does your community need financial assistance for a project that will help make a difference? 2020 Charity Brunch Community Grant Applications now open - https://www.eastershow.com.au/charity-brunch/

Established in 2009, the Charity Brunch is an annual fundraiser held during the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Hosted by Suzanne Ryan, funds raised at the brunch go toward a selected grass roots project in country NSW that will have a positive social and economic impact on the broader community around it.

The mission of the Charity Brunch is to support rural communities with the infrastructure to better the overall emotional, health and general well-being of the community.

To date, the Charity Brunch has raised over $255,000, with proceeds going to support communities including Parkes, Baradine, Inverell, Young, Bobadah, Condobolin, Binalong, Kempsey and Armidale with a variety of infrastructure and education needs.

The aim of the project is to bring together community and district rural residents at events that share information, offer social inclusion and provide physical and mental health education in an informal setting to help enhance farmer resilience and strengthen community connection.

Any questions regarding the Grant Application should be directed via email to: Charitybrunch@rasnsw.com.au

Charity Brunch Community Grant applications will close at 5pm on Friday 25 October 2019.

Country Passenger Transport Infrastructure Grants Scheme (CPTIGS)

Providing subsidies for the construction or upgrade of bus stops in country NSW.

The Transport for NSW 2019/21 round of the Country Passenger Transport Infrastructure Grant Scheme (CPTIGS) is now open.

** Applications close at midday on 30 September 2019 **

The Country Passenger Transport Infrastructure Grants Scheme (CPTIGS) provides subsidies to support the construction or upgrade of bus stop infrastructure (generally owned and maintained by local councils) across country NSW. The Scheme aims to maximise benefits to country passengers through supporting:

• more accessible passenger transport, focusing on better connections between bus stops and surrounding communities;

• an increase in the use of passenger transport in country areas through improved awareness of bus stop locations, kerbside information and improved security (e.g. tactile ground indicators and lighting); and

• the development of minor infrastructure to complement passenger service development.

Funding is allocated regionally to facilitate an equitable distribution of the grant support and projects.

Communities Environment Program

Expressions of Interest are now open for the Communities Environment Program.

Australians care deeply about their communities and are passionate about protecting our local flora and fauna, our threatened species, and our beautiful natural environment.

The Communities Environment Program will harness that passion by helping grassroots community organisations to deliver practical local projects that build environmental awareness and re-connect Australians with their local environment.

The Communities Environment Program seeks to support community-led environmental projects that address local environmental issues and priorities. Each federal electorate has been allocated up to $150,000 in 2019-20 for up to 20 projects.

Grants can range from $2,500 to $20,000 per project. No matching funding by proponents is necessary under this program’s guidelines.

Please find below an Expression of Interest form, which you can be completed and returned to the office of Sussan Ley, Member for Farrer. If you have any questions or require further information, please contact Sussan Ley’s office who will be happy to assist.

Applications close 27th September 2019.

Jobs and tourism benefit from national park investment

The NSW Government is calling for construction workers and businesses to register their interest in working on the state's iconic parks as part of a $149.5 million investment commitment.

Recent figures reveal a 16.6% increase on visitors to national parks across NSW last year. This included 60 million visitors to NSW national parks in 2018, compared to 51.77 million in 2016.

NSW Energy and Environment Minister Matt Kean said, "We've got some of the world's best and most significant national parks right here in NSW and I'm inviting the best of the construction industry to help make them even better.

"This will create local jobs, support local business and boost regional economies."

Successful applicants will renew walking tracks, enhance visitor information and experiences, facilities and accessibility at national parks across the state.

Register online to express your interest in improving NSW's iconic parks.

Learning from regional migration success stories

A federal parliamentary committee is hitting the road to find out what can be done to increase the number of migrants moving to regional areas to fill gaps in smaller cities and regional areas and ease the pressure on our major capital cities.

Joint Standing Committee on Migration Chair Julian Leeser MP says the inquiry has been prompted by recent trends indicating declining population growth in some regional areas of Australia.

While approximately 187,000 international migrants settled in regional areas between 2006 and 20011, this accounts for only 20 per cent of arrivals in that period, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

‘What we know is that some areas of Australia are having success attracting new migrants, while other areas are struggling to both attract and retain migrants and address skill shortages,’ Mr Leeser said.

‘The answers to how to attract new settlers won’t be found in our big cities - so we’re going to travel to areas where migration settlement is and isn’t working, and talk to the people best placed to know why and why not.’

Mr Leeser is encouraging people to contribute to the process. Submissions to the inquiry will be accepted until 20 September 2019.

The Committee intends to hold public hearings at various locations, which will be announced in due course on the inquiry website.

The terms of reference for the inquiry are as follows:

The Joint Standing Committee on Migration shall inquire into and report on the breadth of migrant settlement strategies and migration settings - including for skilled and humanitarian migrants - in regional Australia, with reference to:

• National and international best practice strategies to encourage people to settle and stay in regional areas;

• Strategies to develop regional skilled migration;

• Strategies to develop regional humanitarian migration;

• Key local, state and federal initiatives for successful regional settlement outcomes;

• Local volunteers, employers and community organisations and their role in facilitating regional settlement';

• Relevant migration policy, including administration and state specific migration mechanisms;

• Related infrastructure matters; and

• Any other related matter.

The Committee shall give particular consideration to how communities and settlement services can best assist migrants to gain successful employment outcomes in regional Australia, including local work experience opportunities, skills certification and training, knowledge of Australian workforce regulations, accommodation and travel to and from the workplace.