NSW Business Chamber launches #BackingTheBush campaign

The NSW Business Chamber has launched its new campaign to help communities suffering from the impacts of bushfire and drought.

The campaign, Backing The Bush is a website where companies of all sizes can pledge their promise to hold a board, management or staff meeting in one of the impacted areas between now and the end of 2020.

The support from corporate Australia to the bushfire and drought relief efforts has been outstanding, and this initiative is the next step to sustain small businesses, and their staff, in these areas - especially during what is their quiet time.

While cash donations have been received with great thanks, the next practical move is for companies to hold meetings normally scheduled for Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong or interstate in one of these impacted towns.

This will help businesses of all sizes; from accommodation venues, to caterers, cleaners, newsagents and local restaurants and cafes – everyone in the town benefits.

Since the idea was floated among corporate Australia last week, dozens of companies such as QANTAS, KPMG, Deloitte, the National Rugby League, BlueScope and the University of Sydney have already signed the pledge.
 
Accordingly, the Board of the NSW Business Chamber has pledged to hold their May State Council meeting on the NSW South Coast – a two day event for more than 60 people.

Many in business have watched the crises unfold, feeling at times helpless, but now there is a practical and real way to assist these communities.
 
To help raise awareness of this campaign and to increase the business opportunities for the communities affected, the NSW Business Chamber is actively encouraging its members to support the campaign by taking the pledge; using  #BackingTheBush across social channels when pledging, and also when meetings are held.

State Government 'One-stop Shop' for bushfire affected communities

Bushfire affected families can now access all available assistance in one place with the NSW Government creating a ‘one stop shop’ for local, State and Federal support.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the new Bushfire Customer Care Program, delivered by Service NSW, will simplify the application process for those impacted by bushfires.

“These bushfires have devastated communities and livelihoods. People’s lives are already stressful enough, which is why we have created this new service to cut through red tape and help people get the support they need as quickly as possible,” Ms Cooke said.

“Once a specialist has identified eligible assistance across all layers of government, they will then do the heavy lifting to make it happen.

“This service will also meet another emerging need, by matching people with the many charities which have raised money from generous Australians.”

Service NSW is working in partnership with fellow state agencies, local government and the Australian Government.

The Customer Care specialists will operate like case managers and connect bushfire affected customers with services and support information including:

·         Accommodation advice;

·         Relevant charitable services;

·         Mental health and wellbeing services;

·         Support for businesses;

·         Clean-up services;

·         Financial assistance;

·         Insurance and legal support;

·         Replacing lost ID; and

·         Volunteer RFS and SES payments.

Ms Cooke said the specialists will also assist business owners who have been hit hard.

“Businesses are often the lifeblood of a community and we are here to help owners and operators get back on their feet,” Ms Cooke said.

To connect with a Customer Care specialist call Service NSW between 7am and 7pm on 13 77 88. The Contact Centre hours have been extended to include weekends while communities recover.

Information about the Customer Care service is also available in Service NSW Centres, NSW Recovery Centres and Mobile Service Centres in affected regions.

Further information is available at www.service.nsw.gov.au.

Applications Open: Agrifutures Honey Bee and Pollination Program Advisory Panel

AgriFutures Australia is seeking applications from suitably qualified individuals for an advisory panel member to join the AgriFutures™ Honey Bee & Pollination Program Advisory Panel.

The Advisory Panel consists of people with a range of skills and experience in the research, farming and processing sectors of the honey bee and pollination industry, together with a representative from AgriFutures Australia.  The Advisory Panel, in partnership with AgriFutures Australia, provides recommendations on the allocation of research, development and extension funding for the AgriFutures™ Honey Bee and Pollination Program. Advisory Panel members will be expected to prioritise and attend four panel meetings each calendar year. These are held in varying locations at the discretion of the program manager and the advisory panel.

Advisory Panel Member roles / responsibilities

The key functions of the AgriFutures Australia Honey Bee & Pollination Advisory Panel is to:

• Advise AgriFutures Australia on the current state of the industry, and its RD&E requirements

• Provide recommendations on short-listed research applications consistent with the research priorities identified in the AgriFutures™ Honey Bee & Pollination Five Year RD&E Plan

• Advise on and assist with the dissemination, adoption and commercialisation of R&D

• Encourage industry voluntary contributions and co-investment by other stakeholders to support industry RD&E.

As part of the application process applicants will be required to outline relevant experience in the Australian agricultural sector and expected contribution to the Advisory Panel. Applicants are also required to provide details of two referees.

Submissions close 12 noon (AEDT), Wednesday, 12 February 2020

Apply now

Rebuilding Australian Tourism

Tourism businesses and fire-affected communities around the country will receive much needed support from the Morrison Government’s National Bushfire Recovery Fund today through an initial $76 million tourism recovery package to protect jobs, small businesses and local economies by helping get tourists travelling across Australia again.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Government was throwing its support behind the country’s $152 billion tourism industry as part of an initial push to help the sector recover after a devastating blow from unprecedented bushfires.

“Our federal response to these devastating bushfires is comprehensive and unprecedented,” the Prime Minister said.

“More than 6000 defence boots on the ground, more than $50 million in emergency payments already in hand and more to come, $76 million in new mental health support to first responders and local communities, $50 million to support wildlife recovery and habitat restoration, $75,000 grants to our farmers to help them rebuild, and now surging our support for our all-important tourism industry. It’s all part of a clear plan to lead our response to the recovery driven by our National Bushfire Recovery Agency.

“Australian tourism is facing its biggest challenge in living memory.

“One in thirteen Australian jobs rely on tourism and hospitality so our $76 million investment is an urgent injection to help all those hotels, restaurants and cafes and tour operators get back on their feet.

“This is make or break for many businesses and tourist hot spots and not just in those areas directly hit by the bushfires.

“This is about getting more visitors to help keep local businesses alive and protect local jobs right across the country and especially in those areas so directly devastated such as Kangaroo Island and the Adelaide Hills, the Blue Mountains and right along the NSW Coast and East Gippsland in Victoria.

“We’ve heard directly from local operators, industry leaders, communities and the states and territories. Their message is to act now and that is exactly what we are doing. And we’ll be working closely with them all to deliver on our recovery plan to get these regions back up and running.”

The Government’s initial tourism recovery package responds directly to calls from the tourism sector and includes $20 million for a nationally coordinated domestic marketing initiative and $25 million for a global marketing campaign to drive international visitation.

A further $10 million will be provided for a regional tourism events initiative across bushfire affected areas, $9.5 million for an international media and travel trade hosting initiative, $6.5 million to support tourism business’ attendance at the largest annual tourism trade event, the Australian Tourism Exchange, and $5 million for our diplomatic network to educate that our tourism, international education and export sectors are open for business.

Federal Minister for Tourism Simon Birmingham said the funding boost would help get tourists back into areas that need it most but also make it clear that Australia is very much open for business.

“Tourism is the lifeblood of so many communities around Australia and it’s absolutely critical that we help to get people back visiting those communities that rely on tourism,” Minister Birmingham said.

“These bushfires have dealt the biggest reputational blow to our tourism industry that it has ever faced internationally. Losses caused by cancellations and collapsing booking numbers stretch well beyond those communities directly affected by fire into the many Australian towns that rely on international visitors to sustain tourism jobs.

“My message to anyone thinking about a holiday – from here or overseas – is that Australia’s towns and our incredible parks and beaches are open for business and they need your help.

“Just as it will be a long and challenging process for communities as they rebuild from fires, it will also take time and sustained effort to recover from the saturation media coverage and mistruths told online that have scared potential visitors away, including from parts of Australia that remain completely unaffected by fire.

“We will break from the practice of Tourism Australia exclusively focusing on international visitors and urgently kick off a local campaign because Australians are best placed to immediately understand that most of our country remains as safe to visit as ever.

“Tourism Australia will work with all states to upscale their existing and planned efforts to increase tourism visitation. This will include support for efforts in both bushfire affected regions and elsewhere. We understand acutely that regions that neighbour bushfire affected regions as well as the broader national tourism sector have been impacted by this crisis.

“Australians have shown enormous compassion towards fire affected communities and donated in record sums. For those who can, the next best way to help fire affected and other tourism dependent towns is to make a booking for a short break, visiting these towns and helping to sustain their small businesses and local jobs.

“Our international marketing campaign and extensive hosting of international media or travel trade partners will demonstrate to the world that Australia is very much open for business, that we maintain incredible tourism experiences in every state and territory and explain the regeneration that the Australian bush goes through after bushfires.

“I assure Australia’s tourism industry that we will work with them through this tough time to ensure visitors once again flow into our nation, supporting jobs for hundreds of thousands of Australians.”

This initiative forms part of the Morrison Government’s initial $2 billion National Bushfire Recovery Fund.

Further information

Domestic marketing campaign

The Government will provide $20 million for a domestic tourism marketing campaign to tap into the Australian desire to contribute to the recovery effort by encouraging Aussies to holiday in Australia and provide support to affected communities and regions. Tourism Australia will work with the states, territories and industry partners to maximise coordination and impact.

International marketing campaign

In addition to redeploying Tourism Australia’s existing marketing budget and campaigns, an initial $25 million will be provided for an international tourism marketing campaign to reinforce to global audiences that Australia is safe and open for business. The campaign will partner with industry to encourage direct bookings to Australian travel destinations. We will also be working extensively with international travel partners and providers to rebuild visitation or bookings lost over recent month.

Regional tourism events initiative

$10 million in funding will be provided for bespoke events, concerts, festivals and/or other permanent visitor attractions (such as art installations and tourists walks etc.) in fire affected regions to assist the recovery effort. The aim is to create new attractions in fire affected areas that celebrate what’s unique about that local community that not only gives visitors a reason to come back, but provides the community with a positive focus and opportunity to strengthen its identity in the wake of the fire. Funding will be provided to the worst affected areas, which will be informed by consultation with the National Bushfire Recovery Agency. It will provide grants of up to $1 million per project, with the aim of supporting around 10 projects across the worst affected areas.

International Media Hosting

Through Tourism Australia’s International Media Hosting Program, the government will also provide $9.5 million to bring international media outlets, leading international television shows and print media to Australia, and conduct industry familiarisation visits to experience firsthand the fact that most of Australia is unaffected by fires and open for business, and create urgency among Australia’s key markets to visit Australia now. 

Australian Tourism Exchange

Tourism Australia will receive $6.5 million to get more businesses and buyers to the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) in 2020 by discounting fees and creating new incentive structures. Run by Tourism Australia, ATE is Australia’s largest annual travel and tourism business-to-business event. ATE brings together Australian tourism businesses and tourism wholesalers and retailers from around the world through a combination of scheduled business appointments and networking events. It also provides international travel buyers with the opportunity to experience Australia’s tourism offering first-hand through pre and post event familiarisations. ATE delivers between $5.5 - $8.5 billion in international sales to the Australia’s tourism industry across 30 countries.

Mobilising the global network

The government will also immediately provide a $5 million boost to ensure Australia’s diplomatic network has the resources to reassure our international partners that our tourism, international education and export sectors are open for business. This support will include the mobilisation of specialists in priority locations, additional communications materials (including translation costs) and an expanded public diplomacy effort. The government will keep this support under review and provide additional resources if necessary.

Immediate Small Business support for bushfire affected communities

In response to the devastating bushfires, the Morrison Government has today announced a comprehensive suite of measures to immediately support impacted small businesses. 

This initial package responds to the needs expressed by small businesses on the ground and at the small business roundtable last week which saw chambers of commerce from fire affected regions, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia come together with the Government to discuss the impacts of this natural disaster on small business. 

This comprehensive package will make it easier for those who have suffered direct fire damage, or have been indirectly economically impacted following the bushfires, to get back on their feet.

This package deals with the challenges we know small businesses in these areas are facing, and will continue to face. Our immediate priorities for small businesses include grant funding, concessional loans, tax relief, a dedicated and single contact point to help them access the support that is available, and financial counselling services that are targeted to help small and family business owners deal with the emotional and financial challenges they face.

Grant funding

To build on the disaster recovery grants put in place by state governments, the Federal Government will provide top-up grants to eligible small businesses and non-profit organisations under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. 

This program is uncapped and means that businesses and organisations that have sustained damage as a result of the fires can access up to $50,000 in grant funding (tax free). 

Concessional loans 

As well as extra support announced already for families and communities to help keep spending in local stores, the Federal Government wants to ensure small businesses have cashflow to run their operations.

The Federal Government will boost the value and concessions for small business loans, also on offer to farmers, primary producers and non-profit organisations, under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

To provide maximum flexibility for eligible businesses, loans of up to $500,000 will be offered for businesses that have suffered significant asset loss or a significant loss of revenue. The loan would be for up to 10 years and used for the purposes of restoring or replacing damaged assets and for working capital.

The loans will be available with a repayment holiday of up to two years, with no interest accruing during this period. The subsequent interest rate would be set at 50 per cent of the ten-year Commonwealth government bond rate (currently around 0.6%). 

The Government will be seeking the agreement of the states to provide these loans under harmonised, consistent terms and eligibility criteria.

Dedicated, single contact point 

The Government will deliver $3.5 million to establish the Small Business Bushfire Financial Support Line as well as to fund 10 additional financial counsellors with the ability to provide advice to around 100 small businesses a day.

We want to ensure small businesses have access to the information that they need, when they need it. The Support Line will be staffed by small business specialist financial counsellors who will be able to provide information on the assistance and support available to small businesses in bushfire affected regions. 

The Support Line, which will be staffed by trained financial counsellors, will provide information on the assistance and support available to small businesses in bushfire affected regions.

While the specialist Support Line is being established, businesses can visit www.business.gov.au or call 13 28 46.

The Commonwealth will also provide support as required to Recovery Centres that are being established by the states in fire-impacted regions. These Centres will be a one-stop-shop for small business owners and operators to ensure they have access to immediate expert support.

Local economic development plans

The Federal Government will work with local and state governments, business groups and other community organisations to develop Local Economic Recovery Plans. 

These plans will be locally developed and locally-led to ensure the focus in each community is on the infrastructure and assets they need to rebuild.

Tax relief

The Commissioner of Taxation has agreed to provide a range of assistance measures to businesses in identified bushfire-impacted postcodes to help to alleviate cash flow pressures and assist these businesses with their recovery efforts. 

In particular, taxpayers in impacted postcodes will now have until 28 May 2020 to lodge and pay business activity statements and income tax returns. Impacted businesses that pay their Pay-As-You-Go Instalments quarterly are also allowed to vary these instalments to zero for the December 2019 quarter and claim a refund for any instalments made in the September 2019 quarter. 

These measures will assist small businesses with much-needed cashflow support during this difficult time.

ABC Heywire Competition Winners Announced

Zoe McLaren from Temora, winner of Heywire

image from abc.net.au

What is Heywire?

Heywire puts young Australians at the centre of the conversations that shape their communities.

The ABC has run the annual regional youth project in partnership with the Australian Government since 1998.

The ABC Heywire Competition

The annual Heywire cycle begins with a storytelling competition - open to people aged 16-22, living in regional or rural Australia. Heywire encourages young people to tell stories about their life outside the major cities in text, photo, video or audio format. Over the past 17 years more than 9,000 young Australians have taken part.

More About The Heywire Competition

Young Regional Australians on the ABC

Each year, every ABC regional station selects a winning Heywire Competition entry to represent their part of Australia. The young winners work with ABC staff to produce their story to be featured on ABC Radio and abc.net.au. Heywire stories are renowned for their honesty and for giving us a window on the lives of young people in regional Australia.

This year Zoe McLaren from Temora is a winner from our region. Congratulations Zoe!

See Zoe’s story here

The Heywire Regional Youth Summit

Competition winners also score an all-expenses-paid trip to the Heywire Summit, designed to ensure their voices are heard in Canberra and around the nation. Over the week participants undertake leadership workshops and meet with members of parliament, government departments and community leaders. The 'Heywirers' work together in teams to develop ideas aimed at improving the lives of young people in regional Australia. The ideas are presented at Parliament House in front of an esteemed panel.

More about the summit

ICN Profile Workshop for Snowy 2.0 and Inland Rail

Are you a local business interested in working on or contracting to Snowy 2.0 or other significant infrastructure projects in the Murray, Riverina and South East regions?

Come along to a supplier workshop being held in Wagga Wagga which will give you the tools to get involved in these projects.

The NSW Government, in conjunction with ICN, will host a workshop in Wagga Wagga to assist potential suppliers to access opportunities free of charge through Industry Capability Network (ICN) NSW, a business network that assists in matching suppliers with projects. Future Generation, the joint‐venture appointed to build Snowy 2.0 for Snowy Hydro, is partnering with ICN to promote opportunities to potential suppliers through the ICN Gateway. Inland Rail, the arm of the ARTC constructing the Melbourne to Brisbane line is also partnering with ICN to promote opportunities to potential suppliers through the ICN Gateway.

Local businesses who want to access supplier opportunities on Snowy 2.0 will need to be registered on the ICN Gateway gateway.icn.org.au Members of the Future Generation Project Team will provide an update on the status of the project at the workshop. There will also be members of the Inland Rail team to background this project.

ICN NSW will provide information at the workshop on:

• Creating an effective profile on the ICN Gateway

• Receiving notifications of projects and work packages

• Expressing interest in work packages Information will also be provided by Business Enterprise Centre and AusIndustry regarding assistance available to get your business "tender ready".

SOUTH WEST SLOPES FOREST INDUSTRY HUB LAUNCH A BOOST FOR NSW

Forest industries in the South West Slopes (SWS) region of NSW have been given a huge boost with the launch today at AKD Softwoods sawmill in Tumut of the SWS Forest Industry Hub. The work program of the Hub is underpinned by Federal government funding of $1 million over three years.

“We need to plant new production trees and invest in our forest industries to provide the necessary wood fibre to meet Australia’s increasing demand for renewable forest products’, said the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) CEO, Ross Hampton.

“Thanks to the great advocacy from the Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries Senator Duniam, the Government funding commitment, coupled with industry working together, will enable the SWS Regional Forest Industry Hub to make real progress on growing new production trees, planning new infrastructure investment and manufacturing innovative new products. Industry will look at the key constraints that need addressing and opportunities that we can grasp.”

The SWS region of NSW is based around the key regional areas of Tumut and Tumbarumba extending south into Victoria. The region has significant competitive advantages in forestry, including a critical mass of forest plantations, transport and processing infrastructure as well as a skilled forestry workforce and supportive local governments.

“AFPA is proud of the rollout of Regional Forestry Hubs around Australia and appreciates the Government’s ongoing support for the Hubs program. The SWS Forest Industry Hub and the participating companies are a great example of our renewable forest industries potential and the positive impact we can have on regional jobs and economic growth,’ said Mr Hampton.

Engaging Youth in Regional Australia: Stakeholders' Views Report

The Engaging Youth in Regional Australia (EYRA) Study was funded by the Australian Research Council via a 2019-2021 Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. The report on the first stage of the research, conducted in 2019, was released in November. The first stage of the research involved initial visits and stakeholder roundtable discussions in each of the three regional areas of Australia involved in the study – Griffith NSW, Hedland WA, and Port Lincoln SA.

The three locations were chosen because each are experiencing net youth outmigration in the context of increasing economic investment. The study aims to better understand the reasons why young people leave these areas, choose to stay in their hometowns, or return to their hometowns having left for a period of time. This information will be provided to stakeholders when the project has been completed so that it might inform their youth engagement strategies.

Academically, the project will explore the concept of youth engagement and what this means to young people. From the perspective of human geography, which is concerned with the ways in which people and places relate, the project seeks to expand the concept of youth engagement to include the material and affective qualities of place.

The project will take place over four stages: stakeholder discussions, interviews with young people, collaborative filmmaking, and a co-produced exhibition in each town with young people involved in making videos. The exhibition will provide an opportunity for young people and stakeholders to discuss the findings of the project and for the community in each town to learn about the study.

Agrifutures Annual Report out now

AgriFutures Australia Annual Report 2018-19

The AgriFutures Australia Annual Report 2018-19 has now been released.

Within the report, you'll see how diverse levied industries such as chicken meat, rice, export fodder, thoroughbred horses, honey bee and pollination, ginger, tea tree oil, pasture seeds, buffalo, kangaroo, goat fibre, deer and their bodies, panels and stakeholders guide research, development decisions and expenditure.

In 2018-19, AgriFutures Australia managed 105 new projects across all four arenas. The total investment of the new projects is more than $15 million.

For more information go to: Annual Report 2018-19

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.