New Holiday Here This Year campaign iteration launched

Tourism Australia’s latest iteration of the Holiday Here This Year campaign was launched earlier this month, again fronted by iconic Aussie couple Hamish Blake and Zoe Foster-Blake.

They explore some of the incredible “big” experiences around Australia, all internationally reliant tourism regions, to encourage domestic audiences to start taking those longer trips and travel like international consumers do.

A new, interactive holiday quiz has also been rolled out to help consumers choose their next big adventure.
 
Industry is encouraged to participate in and benefit from the domestic campaign activity by:

• Downloading the Holiday Here This Year toolkit, which is available for download from the corporate website. The toolkit contains a campaign overview, campaign logos, city specific imagery for use in your own channels and social media tools.

• Aligning your marketing activity to support the campaign.

• Post on your business social media channels to encourage consumers to book using #HolidayHereThisYear and the Holiday Here This Year giphy stickers.

Share your news and activities with Tourism Australia for consideration to promote through our PR activities. Please send to internationalmedia@tourism.australia.com.

NSW Interpreter Scholarship Program

NSW Interpreter Scholarship Program – Applications Open Now

Applications are now open for people who speak new and emerging and in-demand languages to receive scholarships to become qualified practicing interpreters.
 

People speaking any of the following languages are encouraged to apply:
 
Acholi, Bari, Chin (Tedim), Chinese (Hakka), Dinka, Ewe, Fijian, Fullah, Hakka (Timorese), Hmong, Karen, Kayah, Khmer, Kirundi, Krio, Malayalam, Mongolian, Mun (Chin), Nuer, Oromo, Samoan, Somali, Tetum, Tibetan, Tigrinya and Tongan.
 
Recipients will benefit from subsidised training at TAFE NSW and the University of NSW and course graduates will be eligible to become Recognised Practicing Interpreters with the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).
 
Expressions of interest are open until 9 June 2021. Visit the website for more information. 

Business Connect evaluation survey

NSW Treasury is seeking feedback about the Business Connect program.

What’s this about?

NSW Treasury is conducting an evaluation of the program and looking at how the NSW Government can support small businesses in future.

They are seeking feedback from Business Connect customers, NSW small businesses, industry organisations and other stakeholders on the services provided by Business Connect.

About Business Connect

Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help small businesses start, run, adapt or grow.

Over 120 Business Connect advisors offer advice tailored to your needs.

Business Connect advisors are accredited professionals with first-hand experience running their own small business. Their advice is independent and completely confidential.

Business Connect provides hundreds of business events and resources including live and on demand webinars, online workshops, fact sheets and training videos to complement advisory sessions.

Since 2017, over 39,000 businesses have been supported through Business Connect to date.

Have your say

Please complete the survey to tell them what you think of the Business Connect program.

The survey should take approximately 10 minutes.

Have your say by Monday 24 May 2021.

National Economic Development Awards for Excellence 2021

Entries in the 2021 National Economic Development Awards for Excellence are Now Open

Economic Development Australia (EDA) invites you to enter the National Economic Development Awards for Excellence. Preparing a submission is simple and winning a prestigious EDA award is a great way to shine a spotlight on your innovative economic development projects and raise the profile of your work.   Submissions can be made for projects delivered from 1 January 2019 – 30 June 2021.

Winners will be announced at a gala event during the National Economic Development Conference (NEDC22) in Mackay, QLD on October 14 2021.

Submissions close on Friday 16th July 2021 at 5pm AEST.

2021 Award Categories

1. Economic Development Strategic Thinking
This award recognises best practice strategies where economic development outcomes are the leading factors and basis influencing the approach adopted. EDA is looking for areas such as employment / workforce / investment / industrial and commercial development.

2. Economic Development Marketing and Promotion
Marketing and promotion is a vital skill for many economic development practitioners. Submissions should describe the whole process of their project from the planning stage through to implementation. Success is not measured by the size or budget of a campaign but the effectiveness of the methods and approach adopted. This award is ideal to present your winning regional branding and / or tourism marketing strategies and campaigns using innovative content development tactics.

3. Economic Development Through Partnerships and Collaboration
This award recognises excellence in economic development through meaningful collaboration and partnerships. Submissions should demonstrate economic outcomes realised through a clustering or
collaborative approach. Please note: It is advised that a paid consultancy is not considered a partnership.

4. Economic Development Initiatives – Regions Under 15,000 Residents
This award recognises programs or projects that have stimulated economic development activity in smaller regions. Examples may include retaining and growing existing businesses, boosting investment, raising employment opportunities and more. EDA encourages submissions which articulate the goals and the outcomes achieved, highlighting how the outcomes contributed to economic development in the region.

5. Economic Development Initiatives – Regions Over 15,000 Residents
This award recognises programs or projects that have stimulated economic development activity in larger regions. Examples may include retaining and growing existing businesses, boosting investment, raising employment opportunities and more. Submissions should describe the goals set and the outcomes achieved, highlighting how the outcomes contributed to economic development in the region

6. Economic Development Recovery & Resilience
This award recognises successful economic development programs, initiatives or activities implemented following a disaster, crises or economic downturn. This award also recognises economic development programs which are focussed on resilience building and mitigation.

7. Economic Development Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
This award recognises economic development strategies and projects which foster equity, diversity and inclusion. EDA welcomes projects where the community’s cultural, religious, linguistic and ethnic diversity underpin the economic development strategy and / or project. Other examples may be centred around gender diversity and / or supporting greater economic participation for young people.

8. Economic Development – Sustainable Initiatives
This award recognises best practice economic development initiatives delivering positive environmental and social outcomes. EDA is seeking submissions where circular economy and sustainability principles underpin economic development strategies and / or projects.

HONORARY CATEGORIES

9. The Peter Chaffey Economic Development Leadership Award (Economic Development Practitioner – over 30 years old)
This award recognises an individual who has demonstrated exemplary performance in the economic development profession. Successful nominations will have had a significant impact on revitalising communities, and will have been at the forefront of developing and delivering projects that drive innovation and change. They will have played a major role in shaping and improving the practice of economic development. Nominations must not exceed 1,000 words (typed double spaced pages) and should be accompanied by at least one (not more than three) letters of endorsement which should be no more than two pages and must be submitted in conjunction with the application. Nominations for the award must be a member of EDA and endorsed by an EDA member.

10. Economic Development Rising Star Leadership (Economic Development Practitioner – up to 30 years old)
This award recognises outstanding achievement by a young, emerging leader in the economic development profession. Nominations should detail the significant career achievements to date and the impact of those achievements on the organisation and the community as a whole, and also explain how these achievements have contributed to the advancement of economic development as a profession. Nominations for the award must be endorsed by an EDA member and will recognise not just their contribution to economic development but their level of community involvement. Nominations should be accompanied by a minimum of one, and not more than three, letters of endorsement on behalf of the applicant, from their supervisor, board chair, or other significant leader in the community who is actively involved with the applicant’s organisation. Nominations must not exceed 1,000 words (typed double spaced pages); letters of endorsement should be no more than two pages and must be submitted in conjunction with the application. Applicants must be no more than 30 years of age on the deadline submission date. Their date of birth must be noted on their application. Nominees must be a member of EDA.

11. Economic Development Community Champion Award
This award recognises an individual who has displayed dedication and commitment to his/her community as a leader and advocate for economic development. They will have demonstrated sustained and effective efforts to work with community groups and industry leaders in the development of projects as a business leader, elected official or volunteer. Nominations for the award must be endorsed by an EDA member but the nominee does not need to be a member of EDA to be eligible to receive this award.

SEGRA | Searching for Regional Success Stories

The SEGRA National Steering Committee is calling for papers for SEGRA 2021 being held in Kalgoorlie Boulder 16-18 November.  Submissions close on 4 June 2021.
 
SEGRA is recognised as Australia’s most credible, independent voice on issues affecting regional, rural and remote Australia. SEGRA brings together practitioners, government, business, not for profit and researchers to source and identify the techniques, skills and issues they need to address to achieve successful economic growth and development.

To find out more about SEGRA visit here
 
 
The theme for this year’s conference is:
 
           Unearthing diversification and adapting to a new tomorrow 

Diversification is an important way in which businesses or regions can expand or develop and increase their economic strength and capacity. 

Identifying regional opportunities for diversification is a key economic development strategy and is a priority action now more than ever before. Emerging technology, data optimisation and automation are all driving industries not previously envisioned.

Regions are often well placed with large green field sites, potential for independent energy, and a propensity for innovation to embrace diversification.

Regions enable diversification by identifying, promoting and providing opportunities to participate in emerging product markets; working to ensure appropriate infrastructure and freight logistics; tapping into supporting practices that will encourage businesses to strengthen their capabilities and expand or shift to new activities through information dissemination and communication.


The Action Agendas for the conference are:

• Strength through diversification

• Entrepreneurial action in regional Australia

• Celebrating Indigenous business

• Regional and global sustainability

• Technology transforming regional Australia

• Investing in social capital

• Branding regional Australia and growing population

• Developing regional tourism and geotourism

• Government Business Partnerships

If you, or region or your business is doing something exciting in regional, rural and remote  share it at SEGRA 2021. The Call for Papers flyer can be viewed here.

Skills shortages take a bite out of regional towns

RDA Riverina’s CEO Rachel Whiting and Regional Australia Institute’s Chief Economist Kim Houghton spoke to Michael Mackenzie from ABC’s Life Matters about skills shortages in our regions.

Listen to the discussion at ABC Life Matters

NSW Government | $50m Mouse Control Support Package

The NSW Government has today announced a $50 million package to offer farmers, households and small businesses assistance to battle the mice plague currently impacting parts of rural and regional NSW.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall said free baiting, through free-of-charge grain treatment, would be made available to primary producers, while affected rural and town households and small businesses would be able to apply for rebates to help them meet the cost of purchasing mouse baits.

“We know the financial pressure this mice plague is putting on farmers and household budgets, we have heard the concerns of regional NSW and we are acting on it,” Mr Barilaro said. 

“The NSW Government will establish grain treatment facilities at specified locations across rural and regional NSW for farmers to have their grain treated free of charge and we will provide rebates to small businesses and households through Service NSW to help meet the cost of buying bait.  

“I am also forming an advisory committee to ensure everyone has access to expert advice, including the latest hot spots, health and food safety advice, information for vets and guidance for keeping children and animals safe.”

Under this package households will be able to apply for rebates of up to $500 and small businesses will be eligible to claim up to $1000 through Service NSW.

The advisory committee will include representatives from the Department of Regional NSW, Local Land Services, Department of Primary Industries, NSW Health, Service NSW, NSW Food Authority, Office of Small Business Commissioner, the Office of Local Government and the CSIRO.

Mr Marshall said farmers would be able to have their grain treated free of charge to protect their hard-sown crops from vermin. 

“Today’s announcement of free baits to treat grain almost completely removes the cost burden on our farmers and croppers and complements our popular workshops to arm farmers with the tools needed to build a mice-free fortress to protect their paddocks,” Mr Marshall said.

“I’ve seen first-hand the impact these rodents are having. They are a scourge on our agricultural production so we are giving landholders a fearsome suite of tools to manage mice. 

“We’re making this as easy for farmers as we possibly can. No tedious rebate forms to fill out, just bring your grain to have the experts treat it free of charge.

“Free bait is better than any rebate for our farmers, who we continue to stand behind post drought, bushfires and floods.” 

In addition to free grain treatment and expert workshops, the NSW Department of Primary Industries will also launch an unprecendented body of research to identify and potentially develop future tools to combat mice plagues, including biological controls. 

Fast facts: 

• $500 rebates for eligible households

• $1000 rebates for eligible small businesses

• Free mice bait (grain treatment) for farmers

• The NSW Government has sought urgent approval from the Commonwealth’s APVMA for the use of bromadiolone in NSW

• Expanded workshops to educate farmers on the best eradication strategies

• A moonshot research project to identify and potentially develop a new mice-killing agent

For the latest information about the mice plague, including information about eligibility, how rebates will be claimed as well as health advice at nsw.gov.au/mice

Relocation Assistance to Take Up a Job (RATTUAJ)

Relocation Assistance to Take Up a Job (RATTUAJ) is an Australian Government program that assists eligible participants to relocate to take up an offer of employment. Relocation assistance helps participants accept work outside of their area by removing the financial barriers that can prevent people relocating.

Job seekers who are participating in employment services programs may be immediately eligible for help with their moving costs under the Relocation Assistance to Take Up a Job program.

From 1 May 2021, if you relocate to take up ongoing work, including an apprenticeship, for more than 20 hours a week for more than six months, you may be eligible to receive up to: 

• $3,000 if you relocate to a capital city*

• $6,000 if you relocate to a regional area

• An extra $3,000 if you relocate with a dependent.

* If relocating from one capital city to a capital city with fewer jobs, you may not be able to access relocation assistance.

Employment services providers can use up to $2,000 to provide upfront support to job seekers who need assistance with agreed relocation costs.

2019-2020 Land Monitor Report

Committee for Wagga, HIA and Regional Development Australia-Riverina have released the 2019-2020 edition of the Land Monitor Report.

This document enables stakeholders to make better informed decisions relating to market demand and future economic growth. This report has been provided to help ensure that there is a sufficient supply and choice of vacant land in the future.

Destination NSW and Qantas partnership highlights the Riverina region

Destination NSW has partnered with Qantas to promote the Riverina wine region in this article:

https://www.qantas.com/travelinsider/en/explore/australia/new-south-wales/riverina-nsw-wine-region-best-food-accommodation-what-to-do.html

and in the below promotional video as part of their three-year partnership deal struck in July 2019. The video highlights the amazing diversity of landscapes, experiences and produce available in the Riverina.

Charles Sturt University | AgriPark Forum

Charles Sturt University is continuing to lead growth and innovation in Australian agriculture through the AgriPark, a strategic initiative on the Wagga Wagga campus.

The AgriPark provides dedicated infrastructure, services and support to allow innovative industry to co-locate, integrate and collaborate, and the multidisciplinary research strengths at Charles Sturt University to meet emerging national and global challenges, enabling major advances in sustainable and profitable agricultural production.

We invite you to join us to hear from industry leaders, understand the AgriPark vision and build opportunities for collaboration.

We look forward to seeing you on 29 April!

Launch of the Land Monitor Report 2019 - 2020

Joint Launch by HIA, Committee for Wagga and RDA Riverina - Land Monitor Report 2019-20

Committee for Wagga, HIA and Regional Development Australia-Riverina would like to extend an invitation for you to attend the launch of the Land Monitor Report 2019-20. It is hoped this information will enable stakeholders to make better informed decisions relating to market demand and future economic growth. This report has been provided to help ensure that there is a sufficient supply and choice of vacant land in the future.

Join the RDA Riverina Committee

Applications are invited for Deputy Chair and Committee member positions at

Regional Development Australia (RDA) Riverina

Make a difference in your region

Regional Development Australia (RDA) Riverina is seeking highly motivated leaders with vision, drive, and strong ties to their region to volunteer to the Deputy Chair position and committee of RDA Riverina.

RDA Committees are vital promoters for their region. They bring together private business and all levels of government with regional stakeholders to build and drive economic growth.

Applications are sought from business and community leaders who have a proven track record of achieving meaningful outcomes in a complex environment.

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

An Applicant Information Pack, including the application form, can be downloaded below.

For further information, phone Rachel Whiting CEO and Director of Regional Development on

0429 444 213 (Mon–Fri 9am-5pm local time) or email ceo@rdariverina.org.au

Applications close 17th May 5pm

Charles Sturt University AgriPark to host $8 million Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub

Southern New South Wales farmers’ and communities’ preparedness and response to drought will be transformed with the opening of a Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub for their region.

Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud said the Southern New South Wales Hub is one of eight across the country to be established that will support development and uptake of innovative technologies and practices that improve drought resilience.

The Hub lead, Charles Sturt University, will also oversee the co-design with farmers and communities of innovative projects to ensure they deliver what is needed in the region.

“Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs have come about through the forward-thinking Future Drought Fund – a long term, sustained investment of $100 million each year to build drought preparedness,” Minister Littleproud said.

“The Southern New South Wales Hub will be a shopfront for farmers to access innovative technologies and practices that enable them to be more prepared and resilient to drought.

“The Hub will be a ‘hub and spoke’ model with resources, including staff and programs spread throughout Southern New South Wales to capitalise on the members skills, assets and networks to generate drought resilience outcomes in areas such as water management, food security, farming systems, agribusiness, community building, regional development and environment.”

Federal Member for Riverina and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the Southern New South Wales Hub would be headquartered at Charles Sturt University AgriPark, Wagga Wagga campus.

“Drought can hit all enterprises in the region, with the powerhouse industries of livestock, wool, cropping, rice, cotton, perennial horticulture (including viticulture) all impacted,” Deputy Prime Minister McCormack said.

“The region is a significant contributor to our nation’s economy, with agriculture supporting thousands of jobs and many local communities.

“Farm production in the Riverina alone was worth $2.5 billion in 2018-19, accounting for 21 per cent of the total gross value of agricultural production for the State.”

The Southern New South Wales Hub, the result of a competitive grant process, will support farmers and communities from Broken Hill to Cobar, the Macquarie catchment to the Hawkesbury, and all the way to the Victorian and South Australian state borders.

The Hub will bring together organisations like Farming Systems Group Alliance, Local Land Services, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Rural Aid, local Universities and the First National Governance Circle to work with farmers and communities.

The Farming Systems Groups Alliance is represented by Farmlink and include Central West Farming Systems, FarmLink Research Ltd, Holbrook Landcare Network, Irrigated Cropping Council, Irrigation Research and Extension Committee, Riverine Plains and Southern Growers and over 3,500 farmer members.

Fast Facts:

• This is one of eight Hubs to be established around the country through the Australian Government’s $5 billion Future Drought Fund.

• The Hubs are the centerpiece of the Australian Government’s $86 million Future Drought Fund Research and Adoption Program.

• They will become flagship precincts for agricultural innovation.

• The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment will lead the

• co-ordination of the Hubs, supporting them to become interconnected agricultural innovation precincts.

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.