Announcing RDA Riverina's new Chair, Dianna Somerville

Pictured L - R: RDA Riverina CEO and Director of Regional Development Rachel Whiting, The Hon Nola Marino MP, RDA Riverina Chair Dianna Somerville

Regional Development Australia Riverina is excited to announce that Dianna Somerville has been appointed as it’s Chair by Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories Nola Marino for the next 4 ½ years. Dianna will take up the position after former Chair Richard Allsopp’s term ended in December 2020.

“I am honoured to accept the appointment as Chair of RDA Riverina. I look forward to working with the committee and staff to continue the great work and impact the organisation has across the Riverina. I also would like to thank Richard and the previous chairs and committees for their dedication to the role, and I hope I can continue to ensure the Riverina is well placed as we transverse these unprecedented times.”

The RDA Riverina team, led by CEO Rachel Whiting, has worked tirelessly to deliver insight and leadership across topics of economic development, migration, regionalisation and workforce strategy. RDA Committees play an important role in building strong, confident and vibrant regions. The focus of RDA Committees is to work with all levels of government, business and community groups to create jobs, attract investment and stimulate economic growth in their regions. RDA Committees also provide the Australian Government valuable regional intelligence to inform policy development and implementation.

“Over my term I am focused on delivering for the region. At last weeks Regional Australia Institute Regions Rising Summit there was a wonderful sense of optimism about regional Australia’s future and also a collaborative approach to tackling the challenges, such as housing shortages. There is a real wind at our backs and an opportunity to create sustainable and vibrant regions, especially in the Riverina” Dianna said.

Assistant Minister for Regional Development the Hon. Nola Marino MP said

“Ms Somerville will lead RDA Riverina under a refreshed Charter that focuses their role on driving investment and local procurement opportunities and through this, creating economic growth for our regions”.

Regional Development Australia Committees (RDAs) have played and continue to play an important role in delivering sustainable infrastructure and services to their region. These Committees deliver important work in consulting with communities, promoting and participating in regional initiatives, and providing information and advice on their region to all levels of Government.

Dianna Somerville is the Community Manager at Bridge Hub, Founder of Regional Pitchfest and a Director at Thomas Bros Group. Born and educated in Wagga Wagga, She is a former Naval Officer and Defence public servant who worked as the Base Manager - Kapooka Military Area and also as part of the Defence National Contract Transition Team. Dianna has grown her own businesses and,  through her work in the innovation sector, has become a spokesperson for regional entrepreneurship and opportunity. She delivered Regional Pitchfest nationally in partnership with Australia Post and has observed innovation ecosystems across Australia, US and Israel. She now works for Agrifood Tech Innovation hub – Bridge Hub which is base in Wagga with offices in Sydney and Israel. She also continues to work within the family business as a Director to the Thomas Bros Group organisations. Dianna has previously served as a director at Country Hope and lives with her husband and two children on a farm at Collingullie.

Tocal College GROW Program | Professional Development for Women in Agricultural Industries

GROW – “Generating Regional Outstanding Women” is a professional development program for Women in agricultural industries who manage or would like to manage a business – a farm or otherwise.

This program will be managed and delivered by House Paddock Training and Consulting and administered by Tocal college. The project is being made possible with support of AgSkilledTM, Smart and Skilled training funding for grains, cotton, horticulture, viticulture and rice industries. It is aimed at business owners, managers and emerging managers, with a minimum of 5 years experience in business.

Aim

The program aims to develop personal and business risk management skills of women in rural industry to help them better manage themselves and their business. The topics chosen for the training has been aligned to the results of a CRDC Research project to understand the value and role of Women in the Cotton Industry and a skills needs analysis conducted by the AgSkilled Project. The three topics covered by the program are

•Personal development: communication and networking, organization, time management andleadership

•Staff management

•Work health and safety

Resources and methods of delivery

GROW online is delivered through Tocal College’s Canvas online learning platform. We aim to make the content engaging, bite sized and relevant to your life and business. The course is self-paced and fully delivered on line. There will be recorded material for you to watch (videos, webinars, interviews), some reading and lots of links for more info.

Participants will be provided with a host of industry resources as well as course notes throughout the duration of the course.

There will be a live webinar most weeks to discuss the content and hear from guest speakers. A schedule will be forwarded to participants. These will also be recorded and posted online

There is a chat forum to answer question and interact with other participants and trainers and technical support are available to help you along the way.

The program will run over a 6 month period.

2020 and 2021 National NAIDOC Awards

The 2020 National NAIDOC Awards were cancelled. Nominations have been extended to include both 2020 and 2021 at the 2021 National NAIDOC Awards.

 The National NAIDOC Awards recognise the outstanding contributions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Do you know someone who has improved the lives of First Nation’s people in their communities and beyond? Who have promoted Indigenous issues in the wider community? Or who has shown excellence in their chosen field?

If someone in your community deserves to be recognised then nominate them for a 2021 National NAIDOC Award! Just complete the form below and address the relevant selection criteria found under the below links.

Complete the online entry form to nominate someone who you think deserves to be recognised.

For the nomination to be accepted, the selection criteria must be addressed.

If you need some help writing your nomination check out the Selection Criteria and FAQs page.

Entries for the National NAIDOC Awards close at 5:00pm AEDT Monday 22 March 2021.

Draft NSW Water Strategy

A draft of the NSW Water Strategy is on public exhibition from Monday 15 February until Sunday 28 March 2021.

NSW Water strategy

The NSW Government is developing a 20-year, state-wide NSW Water Strategy to improve resilience of the state’s water resources over the coming decades. The NSW Water Strategy will address key challenges and opportunities for water management and service delivery across the state and set the strategic direction for the NSW water sector over the long-term. The strategy will:

• guide water service delivery and resource management across NSW

• build on the progress made from previous reforms and set the direction to keep improving

• identify key challenges, opportunities, strategic priorities and actions for the whole of NSW

• clearly articulate the water resource management and service delivery framework and policy context for NSW, including how the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and state-wide, regional, metropolitan and local strategic water policy and planning frameworks work together.

The NSW Water Strategy is part of a suite of long-term water strategies including 12 regional and two metropolitan water strategies which set out the approach to maintaining and building the resilience of the state’s water resources, including in response to climate variability and change.

You can now have your say and attend a public information webinar on the draft strategy by providing feedback to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment by midnight Sunday 28 March 2021.

Register for a public information webinar session or watch the recording of the public webinar from 25 February 2021 to find out more.

Mental Health and Wellbeing in Rural Communities Survey

The Rural Adversity Mental Health Program in partnership with the Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health and the University of Newcastle, are conducting a Mental Health and Wellbeing in Rural Communities Survey.

Community Wellbeing and Mental Health in Rural and Remote areas are affected by a range of factors.

To develop strategies to improve mental health and wellbeing for rural and remote residents, it is important that they hear from communities about the challenges they face, and the issues they believe are important. Telling them your views will help ensure their programs and research are relevant for the communities they are trying to help.

Proposed amendments to support agritourism and other small-scale agricultural activities

Proposed amendments to support agritourism and other small-scale agricultural activities

The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment is seeking your feedback on proposed policy amendments to simplify the planning process and approval pathways for low-impact agricultural development and small tourism activities, including farm stays and farm events, on NSW farms.

The department is seeking your feedback on proposed amendments to the:

• Standard Instrument (Local Environmental Plans) Order 2006 (Standard Instrument LEP Order),

• State Environmental Planning Policy (Primary Production and Rural Development) 2019 (PPRD SEPP), and

• State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 (Codes SEPP).

Have your say before 19 April 2021

An Explanation of Intended Effect (EIE) and supporting explanatory material are on public exhibition until 19 April 2021.

Optional provisions for council LEPs 

 In addition to seeking your feedback, the department is asking councils to:

• indicate their interest in incorporating optional clauses for farm stay accommodation and farm gate activities into their local environmental plan (LEP);

• identify the zones in their LEP in which they wish to allow the proposed new farm events and farm gate activities land uses; and

• provide details of a suitable contact(s) who can liaise with the department about these amendments.

Councils that do not submit their interest during exhibition will be able to lodge planning proposals in the future. 

 Please use the online submission form at the Planning Portal to provide this information.

 If you have any questions about the exhibition, please contact Ms Anita Skinner by email or on (02) 9995 6657, or refer to this website for more information. 

1 in 5 City-dwellers looking to move to the regions

New research released on Monday by the Regional Australia Institute (RAI) shows one-in-five city residents are looking to move to the regions, with more than half wanting to make the jump within the next 12 months.

RAI CEO Liz Ritchie said metro movers are looking for more space, to be better connected to the natural environment and they want a more relaxed lifestyle – all the things that Regional Australia has to offer.

“What’s really interesting about the survey we had commissioned is that the appeal of Regional Australia is a stronger motivation to move than any dissatisfaction with city life,” Liz Ritchie said.

“Brisbane respondents came in as the most stressed in the country, followed by Sydney-siders and then those in Melbourne. More than 69 percent of all those surveyed said reducing general stress and anxiety is a major driver for considering a life outside our capital cities,” Ms Ritchie said.

When asked about the reasons for considering a move, 70 percent rated traffic congestion as a major factor and 68 percent want to reduce their cost of living.

But it’s the positives of life outside the city limits which resonate even more, with 77 percent of potential movers ticking both space and connection to nature as reasons to shift. The improved general well-being that regional life offers is a major drawcard for three-quarters of those surveyed.

While the COVID pandemic has significantly raised the desire to move to Regional Australia for 22 percent of survey respondents, more than half said they were already considering relocation before the pandemic.

The RAI commissioned qualitative and quantitative research among more than 1,000 people in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth who were considering moving to Regional Australia. The research was carried out in November and December 2020.

Larger coastal centres were the most popular locations for potential metro movers, but when it came to smaller areas, inland towns held their own against those on the coast, with about one third of respondents indicating an interest in both.

“Concern about limited job opportunities was identified by respondents as the biggest barrier to moving to Regional Australia, even though the latest job vacancy figures show there are more than 54,000 roles available in Regional Australia, with professional and skilled jobs featuring strongly across the regions,” Liz Ritchie said.

“Our research underpins a multi-million-dollar, multi-platform national awareness campaign that the RAI will launch next month at its National Summit in Canberra. It will inform potential movers about the great opportunities to live, work and invest in Regional Australia,” Liz Ritchie said.

“We are very excited to be unveiling this campaign, developed in conjunction with communications agency Redhanded, and look forward to seeing many regional stakeholders there on 17-18 March,” Liz Ritchie said.

For more information about the Summit, go to http://regionsrising.regionalaustralia.org.au/summit-2021/

2021 ABC Heywire Competition Winners Announced

ABC Heywire celebrates 35 young regional Australians in its 2021 storytelling competition.

Since 1998, Heywire has become a powerful platform for rural youth to share their stories and make a difference in their communities.

This year, hundreds of people entered from across Australia. The winners were chosen for “telling it like it is” about life in their part of the country.

From growing up in a refugee camp, to busting myths around Autism and celebrating LGBTQI pride. Lawn bowlers, bull riders, young farmers, linguists, female cricketers and disability advocates share what life is like for them in regional Australia.

Shakira, a proud young Jingili woman from Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory is one of the latest Heywire winners.

“I’m pretty excited – I’ve never had an opportunity like this before, to tell my story on the radio. It’s pretty big,” she said.

“Tennant Creek is pretty small with not many people and opportunities for young people. It’s exciting to tell people about my story and my place.”

“I want people to know time is precious, don’t waste it. I want young people to know that they’ve got to be there for their parents and grandparents and value their stories and knowledge.”

Shakira is looking forward to seeing more stories like hers out there.

The Federal Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government, Mark Coulton MP, also applauded the successful entrants.

“Heywire continues to empower young regional, rural and remote Australians to share their stories, ensuring their voices are heard far and wide. It is why the Australian Government is proud to be an ongoing sponsor of the program.”

“Many of these young people have grown up facing issues like drought, bushfires, floods and now the COVID-19 pandemic, and they continue to put their best foot forward to drive change in their communities.” Minister Coulton said.

“I congratulate all 35 winners for sharing stories about what life is like in regional and rural Australia.”

Heywire winner Ku Htee from Bendigo, VIC said, “I’m over the moon. I didn’t think I was going to win. It feels so amazing to have my story heard, I’m so proud, so happy and so excited – I have so many emotions! I can’t believe I’m a winner.”

“A lot of my personal experience of growing up in a refugee camp in Thailand is in my story.  I hope other people from refugee backgrounds hear my story and take every opportunity that comes their way.”

Ku Htee hopes her story will encourage people to make refugees feel welcomed and accepted in Australia, without any racism or discrimination.

Director of ABC Regional & Local, Judith Whelan, congratulated the annual competition winners on their stories.

“Heywire continues to be one of the most influential means for young people from regional and rural communities to be heard.  And in these testing times it carries even more importance.”

It is impossible not be drawn into each and every one of the 35 outstanding stories from our 2021 Heywire winners.  They are compelling and engaging and will, without doubt, have positive impacts on their communities.”

The Heywire program would not be possible without the support of the Australian Government through: The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications; The Department of Health; The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment; The Department of Education, Skills and Employment; The Department of Social Services and AgriFutures Australia.

Congratulations to local winner Jake, from Temora.

The full list of Heywire winners and their stories are here:

https://www.abc.net.au/heywire/winners/

Bid now to host the National Economic Development Conference 2022!

As we reflect on the highly successful virtual National Economic Development Conference (NEDC) hosted in late 2020 by Liverpool City Council and the buzz builds for (hopefully!) a face to face event in Mackay on October 13-15, now is the chance to secure this pre-eminent event for your region or city in 2022.
 
NEDC is the flagship event of Economic Development Australia (EDA), the national peak body for economic development professionals. With over 1100 members, EDA is a nationally recognised network of economic development professionals, fostering economic prosperity and resilience in communities across Australia.
 
NEDC is the only Australian national conference dedicated to economic development. The must-attend event features a two-day conference program, a full or half day masterclass, local study tours / site visits, the national economic development awards gala and a range of networking events.
 
NEDC is a unique opportunity to position your city or region as a leader in economic development and drive the discussion regarding job creation, economic recovery and resilience, investment attraction, industry development and regional competitiveness. The event will attract Australia’s leading economic development practitioners, globally and nationally recognised speakers and thought leaders.

Key Benefits of hosting NEDC:

• Attract between 150 – 250 economic development professionals to your region as well as their partners and families.

• Position your region as a leader in economic development by leading the national discussion, showcasing local competitive industries and your most innovative economic initiatives.

• Take the opportunity to create a living laboratory within your region by utilising national and international economic development leaders to focus on a local ‘real-time’ economic development challenge.

• Benefit from local, regional and international media.

• Promote your region as a global business event destination by featuring local venues, dining, entertainment throughout the program.

• Showcase your region’s event management expertise by hosting the National Economic Development Awards for Excellence.

• Maximise the direct economic benefit generated by NEDC by packaging pre and post experiences for national and international delegates.

Expressions of interest are invited from local governments or a consortium of Councils, state government agencies, regional bodies or other suitable organisations.
 
Please submit your EOI by email to admin@edaustralia.com.au by 5pm AEDT on 1 March 2021.

For a confidential discussion further, please contact EDA CEO, Jacqueline Brinkman on 0419 130 699.

AgSkilled | NSW Government-Funded Industry-Led Workforce Development

AgSkilled is a $15 million NSW Government funded industry led workforce development strategy.

AgSkilled seeks to upskill NSW’s cotton, grains, production horticulture, viticulture and rice growing industries to manage the challenges of the future.  

Current, relevant and flexible, AgSkilled funded training is tailored and delivered to suit the specific needs of your industry, and can be adjusted to suit students with a range of skills and experience.  

AgSkilled’s Mission

• Attract, develop and retain a productive workforce to underpin continued growth of the cotton, grains, production horticulture, viticulture and rice-growing agricultural industries in NSW, 

• Support cotton, grains, production horticulture, rice and viticulture primary producers and their workforce to develop production, technology, business and safety skills to increase farm productivity and profitability,  

• Develop industry capacity to adopt new technologies and sustainable farming practices, 

• Support career progression, entry pathways and employment outcomes across the wider agricultural industry and regional NSW economy 

• Leverage research and development in the identified agricultural industry sectors to ensure training is relevant, current and meets industry needs.  

AgSkilled provides fully funded accredited training to meet industry training needs across four key training pillars: Production, Technology, Business and Safety. 

Current, relevant and flexible, AgSkilled training is tailored and delivered to suit the specific needs of your industry and business, and can be adjusted to suit students with a range of skills and experience.

Training covers areas as diverse as:

• Agronomy 

• Business management 

• Emerging technologies 

• Farm machinery operation and maintenance 

• Leadership and management 

• Precision agriculture 

• Soils and nutrition 

• Workplace health and safety 

For producers and employers

AgSkilled 2.0 allows you to build the productivity of your business by upskilling existing workers and providing new industry entrants with training in the skills you need, now and into the future. 

For existing industry employees and job seekers

AgSkilled 2.0 will help you gain the skills employers want with industry relevant and up-to-date training. Increase your career and employment prospects, both now and into the future. 

For a full list of available training, see Courses and Training Calendar

New penalties for travellers who don’t declare high-risk biosecurity goods

The Australian Government has passed legislation that will see penalties significantly increase for travellers who fail to declare high-risk biosecurity goods at the Australian border. Powers to cancel the visas of people bringing in these dangerous goods will also be expanded.

From 1 January 2021, biosecurity officers will be able to issue infringement notices up to $2664 where travellers fail to declare potential high biosecurity risks (like uncanned meat or live plant material) when arriving at Australian international air and sea ports.

Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, David Littleproud, said the Biosecurity Amendment (Traveller Declarations and Other Measures) Bill 2020 was about protecting Australia.

“Our biosecurity system is critical to supporting the health of Australians, the environment and the competitiveness of our agricultural industries," Minister Littleproud said.

“Australia produces the best agricultural products in the world, but we need to be vigilant to protect Australia from an ever-increasing number of pests and diseases that threaten our country and way of life."

“Currently all infringement notices issued at first points of entry to Australia are for two penalty units ($444), regardless of the biosecurity risk posed by undeclared goods," Minister Littleproud said.

“However, under the new legislation the Director of Biosecurity will be able to determine which goods or classes of goods pose a high level of biosecurity risk for the purpose of higher infringement notice amounts. From 1 January 2021, infringement notices may be up to 12 penalty units ($2664), depending on the undeclared goods.

“By being aware of the risk items, passengers and crew can help keep pests and diseases out of Australia. They can assist Australia maintain its global reputation for producing high quality food and protect our unique environment."

The powers to cancel visas on biosecurity-related grounds will also be expanded to student and temporary work visa holders from 1 January 2021. Currently these powers only apply to visitor visas.

Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, Alan Tudge said the powers will only be used for serious or deliberate breaches but will provide another important layer of protection at the border.

“Visa cancellation decisions are not taken lightly, but breaches of biosecurity can have serious consequences to Australia, and we need everyone to do the right thing," Mr Tudge said.

“If you really must bring food or any other high-risk goods with you, you must declare them on your incoming passenger card or crew declaration. 

“If in doubt, just declare it. If you don't, you could face heavy penalties, have your visa cancelled and be sent home."

Any decision to cancel a temporary visa on biosecurity grounds will only be made after taking into consideration factors such as the seriousness of the breach, the potential impact on Australian business and agriculture, and the individual circumstances of the traveller.

Further communication material will be rolled out at air and sea ports to educate travellers about biosecurity risks, the changes in penalties and their obligation to comply with Australia's biosecurity laws.

A list of the goods or classes of goods posing a high level of biosecurity risk at the Australian border that will attract a higher penalty amount will be published on the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment website (www.agriculture.gov.au) and on the Federal Register of Legislation (www.legislation.gov.au).

Before travelling to Australia, check what you need to do by visiting www.agriculture.gov.au/travelling/to-australia and www.immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/entering-australia​. 

Global Talent Visa Program – changes to student eligibility

The Department of Home Affairs has announced new eligibility requirements for student and graduate applicants for the Global Talent Visa Program.

• Bachelor with Honours, Masters by Coursework and Masters by Research graduates will no longer be eligible solely on the basis of having achieved a qualification in a priority sector.

• PhD graduates who completed their studies within the past three years will still be eligible, however candidates who achieved their qualification overseas from a non-Australian education provider must demonstrate that their PhD meets Australian standards.

• PhD students nearing completion of their degree must demonstrate that they have a prior record of exceptional and outstanding professional achievement, and that their PhD will meet Australian standards.

Candidates who have expressed interest in the program but who have not yet received an invitation will be subject to the new eligibility requirements. Any candidate who has already been invited to the program will be eligible to continue with their visa application on the basis of their qualifications.

 Further information on the Global Talent Visa Program can be found on the Department of Home Affairs website.

COVID-19 Pandemic event subclass 408 visa conditions changed

Australian Government endorsed (COVID-19 Pandemic event) subclass 408 visa

On 5 January 2021, a joint media release of additional measures were announced to enable temporary workers in Australia to continue to support the agricultural sector, which already included other critical skills such as food processing, health care, disability care or child care. The additional measures include:

• Extending the timeframe to apply for a COVID-19 Pandemic event visa from 28 days to 90 days before an existing temporary visa expires.

• Removing the COVID-19 Pandemic event visa requirement that visa applicants must demonstrate their attempts to depart Australia where they intend to undertake agricultural work.

• Relaxing the 40 hours per fortnight work limitation for student visa holders who undertake work in the agricultural sector.

 Further information can be found on the Department of Home Affairs website.

International graduates studying in a regional area now eligible for second TGV

From 2021, Temporary Graduate visa (TGV) holders (post-study work stream) who have graduated from a regional educational institution and have lived in regional Australia on their first TGV will be eligible for a second TGV.

 Those eligible for a second TGV will be required to remain in a regional area for the duration of their new visa.

 Eligibility will include international students who studied at a regional campus of a metropolitan university.

• International graduates who have studied and lived in Category 2 will be eligible for an additional year on a second Temporary Graduate visa.

• International graduates who have studied and lived in Category 3 will be eligible for an additional 2 years on a second Temporary Graduate visa.

 Further information can be found on the Department of Home Affairs website.

Applications Open: Agritech Incubator | Ready to Launch 10 Week Incubator

Got a business idea but not sure how to get it going?

Strap in and prepare to explore the final frontiers of your idea and your potential as an entrepreneur.

Applications are now OPEN for the Charles Sturt University Ready To Launch 10-week online incubator, an 100% online program to take your idea from woe to GO!

Applications are now open! Places on this program are limited so get in quick.

Launch date: Monday 8 March 2021 (applications close on Monday 22 February 2021)

Info here: https://bit.ly/38AhHRf

Apply here: https://bit.ly/39oXSvv

THE Rural Woman Co-op: Fund Survey

Launched in 2014, THE Rural Woman is now a leading online community of rural women passionate about changing the world, right from their rural location. THE Rural Woman is for any rural woman who wants to THRIVE in her rural location and has the desire to be part of a supportive community of like-minded women to connect and collaborate with, learn from and be supported by!

We are currently transitioning THE Rural Woman to a co-operative structure which is run by its members, which is very exciting! THE Rural Woman Co-op will continue to connect rural women and support their wellbeing and agency through networking, mentoring and training.
In addition, we’re exploring options to set up a Fund that will financially support the economic agency and advancement of rural women!

This will be a fund from which members can apply to access funds when they need them (even if they have been rejected by their bank), and to which members and non members can invest in, to yield a return AND support the amazing capacity of other rural women. We’d love it if you could answer some questions so we can better understand if these services would be valuable to you!

The survey is for EVERYONE (men and women, urban and rural) and will take about 10 minutes to complete - but that investment in time could yield rural women, their families and communities, so many leaps towards economic security into the future it will be worth it - dare I say, worth millions of dollars and trillions generationally?!

Deadline Approaching: Building Better Regions Round 5 Closing 5th March 2021

The Building Better Regions Funding Round 5 closes on 5th March, with applicants urged to engage with their local RDA before submitting an application.

Applications for BBRF Round 5 can be submitted through the online portal at www.business.gov.au/bbrf . 

Applications close on 5 March 2021, with successful applicants expected to be announced in mid-2021.

This round of funding includes $100 million in dedicated funding for tourism-related infrastructure and

$100 million for broader community infrastructure and investment.

It is strongly suggested that applicants engage with their RDA before submission of an application.

Click below to view a presentation for more information on this round:

nbn sets 5G long-range transmission world record

Technology trial paves way for additional tool to optimise performance and customer experience on the nbn™ Fixed Wireless network

nbn has achieved a world record for long-range 5G transmission using mmWave as it develops new options to further optimise the performance and customer experience of the nbn™ Fixed Wireless network.

In live testing at an nbn proof of concept site near Mortlake, Victoria, nbn and its technology partners, Ericsson, Qualcomm Technologies Inc. and Casa Systems, achieved a stable 5G mmWave transmission of close to 1Gbps¹ at a distance of 7.3km, double the distance recorded at the site just three months ago, and a new record globally. nbn anticipates ongoing testing to demonstrate even longer range capability in the future².

nbn is exploring 5G technology operating in mmWave spectrum as part of its commitment to continually enhance customer experience and evolve the Fixed Wireless network for future needs. The network currently covers more than 620,000 premises across regional and rural Australia with more than 90% of customers currently within 7.3km of a Fixed Wireless cell.

Recognising the unique long-range requirements of the nbn™ Fixed Wireless network, the field measurements will provide development guidance for wireless technology suppliers, while helping nbn understand the most cost-effective, and spectrum-efficient ways to integrate 5G into its evolving network architecture.

nbn currently invests around $200 million annually in measures to optimise the performance of the Fixed Wireless network within finite spectrum and resource limitations. Under initiatives already implemented, the Fixed Wireless network exhibits spectral efficiency levels above 4bps/Hz in the downlink and 1.6bps/Hz in the uplink, challenging global benchmarks of even the highest performing 4G networks. nbn’s own performance benchmarking shows that 99.9% of Fixed Wireless network cells and 100.0% of Fixed Wireless backhaul links are currently performing at or above their design thresholds.

nbn anticipates continued innovation and technology developments on the existing 4G platform to further enhance average and peak user speeds to complement a targeted 5G implementation in the future. Working with its technology partners, nbn’s current and ongoing optimisation initiatives include:

• Wider deployment of carrier aggregation to improve load balancing across available spectrum and enhance single user data rates.

• Introduction of advanced antenna technologies such as multi-beam wideband antennas, Massive MIMO, multi-user MIMO and coordinated multipoint transmission to improve spectrum efficiency and reduce interference while driving down the cost per bit to accommodate greater traffic growth.

• Optimisation of end user radio conditions, actively balancing user profiles and reducing the average number of users per cell to achieve increased data rates for users. Following a 20% increase in the number of active cells in the last twelve months, there are currently 19 users per cell on average, a reduction from historical levels of around 60.

• Introduction of new high-capacity backhaul solutions, including increasing penetration of fibre and additional traffic engineering capability to improve uptime and reduce congestion.

• Increased deployment of advanced end user equipment for wider support of advanced radio features, enhancing individual user experience as well as increasing network spectral efficiency³.
  

NBN Co Chief Development Officer, Regional and Remote, Gavin Williams said:

“The nbn™ Fixed Wireless network plays a vital role connecting Australians right across regional and rural parts of the country. We face some unique challenges, not least vast distances and harsh environments, that have always required a strong focus on innovation. This long-range achievement is a very promising sign as we continue to develop our options to further improve performance and customer experience and plan to meet emerging demand on the network.”

NBN Co Chief Technology Officer, Ray Owen said:

“This is a significant achievement for nbn and our technology partners, Ericsson, Qualcomm Technologies and Casa Systems, and we anticipate strong interest from the global technology community as we further develop these capabilities. With industry development for mmWave largely focussed on high-density urban environments, this trial helps prove the case for additional work to suit the unique requirements of the nbn™ Fixed Wireless network and other regional and rural use-cases around the world.”

RDA Riverina Committee Chair Position Available

We are seeking a highly-motivated leader with vision, drive and passion for regional development to volunteer to Chair our Regional Development Australia (RDA) Riverina committee.

The successful candidate must possess strong advocacy skills and be capable of leading the committee, setting the strategic direction and achieving outcomes. The appointment term is 4.5 years, in a hands-on role suited to local community and business leaders with expertise and a desire to generate economic opportunities in their region.

We believe that the stronger our RDA committee is, the stronger our communities become. So don’t miss your chance help support, inform and deliver on life-changing regional initiatives. Learn more or apply directly at rda.gov.au.

Women, people from Indigenous and diverse cultural backgrounds and people with disability are encouraged to apply.

Applications close 23 February 2021.

Please spread the word and share our posts on social media. View the posts on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

Apply here https://www.rda.gov.au/join-your-rda

NBN: Supporting community connectivity in times of disaster

In the event of an emergency, the ability to communicate can be key to survival.

And, in its aftermath, being able to do those things we generally take for granted – like staying in touch with loved ones, accessing online services, and working or studying remotely – can help communities get back on their feet.

That’s why, to help boost the support offered to communities and emergency services personnel during times of disaster, nbn co is rolling out a range of important connectivity support measures including nbn™ Disaster Satellite Services, additional Road Muster Trucks, and more Portable Satellite Kits.

nbn™ Disaster Satellite Services

Designed as a back-up communications connection, nbn™ Disaster Satellite Services can be switched to ‘disaster mode’ during an emergency event to provide free satellite broadband functionality, including Wi-Fi, for public use.

Set to be installed at designated emergency management sites, like fire depots, and evacuation centres around Australia, nbn™ Disaster Satellite Services will help support communities during emergency events and the recovery process.

The service can provide additional support for disaster-affected communities where terrestrial communications networks are temporarily impacted due to loss of power, or damage to communications infrastructure.

These installations follow the 2019/20 bushfire crisis when nbn was able to help provide emergency connectivity to more than 5,000 residents, business owners and support staff across New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

“Last summer, we worked with service providers to install temporary emergency satellite infrastructure to more than 30 evacuation centres and 10 emergency response centres,” says Gavin Williams, Chief Development Officer, Regional and Remote at nbn.

“By providing free satellite Wi-Fi services and mobile device charging facilities during the emergency, we were able to help keep families and loved ones connected, and provide vital communication services into areas that otherwise might not have had them.”

Now, as part of the Australian Government’s Strengthening Telecommunications Against Natural Disasters (STAND) package, they’re installing nbn™ Disaster Satellite Services at locations across the country.