Our Spaces: A short film about the sharing revolution happening in our homes

A key focus for RDA Mid North Coast this year has been looking at different grassroots solutions to the problem of affordable housing, including the idea of people sharing their spare bedrooms.

On behalf of RDA Mid North Coast, we’re sharing their recently released film: Our Spaces: A short film about the sharing revolution happening in our homes. For the film, the RDA engaged a filmmaker, and interviewed people who share their spaces in different ways, with interesting and beneficial outcomes. They also partnered with flatmates.com.au and asked people to take the flatmate pledge

'Our Spaces' examines housing opportunities that everyday people in the Mid North Coast have created in their own domestic spaces. While there is no doubt government support is required to alleviate the situation, there are also actions that everyday people can take. 'Our Spaces' showcases a series of options from having a flatmate to retro-fitting a home to purpose building to share. With over 81,000 Spare rooms across the Mid North Coast it's time to consider the role we all can play in turning around the housing crisis.

To watch the film, you can go to: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtU_qwXul6s or watch it below.

Heavy vehicle rest areas initiative steering committee | Expressions of interest opened for drivers

The Albanese Labor Government’s first Budget delivered an additional $80 million for new and upgraded heavy vehicle rest areas across the country, bringing dedicated heavy vehicle rest area funding up to $140 million over 10 years.

A steering committee will be established to guide the process and give truckies a voice in shaping the projects which are funded through this initiative.

Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Carol Brown, announced Senator Glenn Sterle as the Chair of the committee.

The committee will share strategic advice and set priorities for heavy vehicle rest area projects, as truck drivers themselves know more than most about the missing gaps in our rest area network.

Senator Sterle bought his first truck at 20, after spending time as a furniture removalist offsider during the school holidays. Senator Sterle then spent 12 years driving road trains between Perth and Darwin.

Senator Sterle is well known around Parliament for delivering the very chairs he now sits in while representing the people of Western Australia in the Senate.

The selection of Senator Sterle as the Chair is a fantastic first step in delivering this $140 million package.

Senator Sterle will be joined on the committee by five long-haul truck drivers and four representatives from industry organisations.

The drivers will be selected through an expression of interest process.

The Government are looking for drivers with long-haul experience and who know what drivers need. Anyone with an interest in rest areas and a desire to improve conditions for themselves and fellow drivers is encouraged to complete an expression of interest.

Funding for the package will be delivered through the existing Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program.

Interested long-haul drivers can express their interest via: HVSPP-eoi.docx (live.com)

NSW Government Vision for Regional Communities

Investment in housing, growing and upskilling the health workforce, ensuring access to quality learning at every stage of life and improving transport and digital connectivity will be key focuses of the NSW Government’s new vision for the regions.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole today unveiled Our Vision for Regional Communities – a new strategy to ensure regional NSW remains the best place to live, work, play and raise a family.

“This is a vision for the regional NSW we are building with our local communities, backed by real actions we know will make a real difference to people’s everyday lives,” Mr Toole said.

“Over the past decade, we’ve invested billions in the infrastructure our regions need and in growing regional economies.

“This vision shows how we’ll build on that foundation and ensure regional communities have access to the education and health services they deserve and attract the workforce we need to deliver those services.

“It will ensure families can find a home by tackling housing pressures and deliver the infrastructure and services they need in their local community.”

Mr Toole used the strategy’s launch to announce:

• A new welcome experience to be piloted across eight regional locations to support key workers to relocate to the regions and put down roots

• A $5 million investment in scholarships to upskill existing health workers and attract new staff to regional communities

• A trial of contactless payments on regional bus services in Dubbo and Bathurst to make services easier to use

Our Vision for Regional Communities is backed by a detailed three-year action plan that outlines key initiatives that will bring the vision to life.

Initiatives already underway under the plan include:

• A $2.4 billion investment in strengthening the regional health workforce including new approaches to training and incentives

• A $174 million investment in key worker housing that will deliver hundreds of new homes for teachers, police and health workers over the next four years

• A $98 million investment in a new $250 travel card for regional apprentices and university students to ease the cost of travel for training and classes

• A $160 million investment in social and sporting infrastructure, and community programs like bike paths, playgrounds and community centres through the Stronger Country Communities Fund

• A $59 million investment in the next generation including $40 million for local initiatives shaped by youth for youth

“We are not just investing for now, we’re investing for the future,” Mr Toole said.

“Our vision recognises that regional communities are diverse and need local solutions that work for them – and that’s what we’ll deliver.”

Our Vision for Regional Communities and Action Plan 2023-2025 is a future-focused strategy with key priorities across healthcare, education, communities and places and regional homes.

For more information about Our Vision for Regional Communities, visit: nsw.gov.au/ourvision

We Are Hiring!

Are you looking for a new challenge? Are you Interested in working as part of a close-knit, supportive team?

RDA Riverina is growing! We currently have three new positions listed on our careers page:

• Operations Manager
  We are seeking an Operations Manager, who will be responsible for varied operational tasks who loves jumping into systems and has the detail to get things done in a fast paced environment! Be the CEO’s right hand, assisting with representation of the organisation when required.

• Skilled Migration Officer
  Administer Visa Programs, implement new systems and programs, communicate with business and skilled migrants, provide opportunities for welcoming new migrants and families to the Riverina region. Join a supportive and agile team.

• Grow Our Own - Industry Liaison Officer
  Identify business and industries looking to recruit young people; develop effective relationships with industry partners and identify training pathways; develop and organise region-specific activities or career events; organise the industry component of excursions and incursions with schools

What is Economic Development?

Economic Development Australia (EDA) has premiered a new video helping people to understand what economic development is and its importance at the National Economic Development Conference (NEDC) last week.

“Australian economic development professionals have been at the forefront of driving economic recovery in cities and regions, following all the challenges we’ve faced over recent years. This video helps send the message about about how economic development professionals are driving the efforts to make our cities and regions better places to live and work,” - Jacqueline Brinkman, CEO EDA.

Check out the video below

Skilled inmate employment helps address timber supply crisis

A Mannus Correctional Centre works release program is providing inmates with employment opportunities, while helping meet an unprecedented demand for timber by filling a labour shortage in the state’s largest sawmill.

Hyne Timber Tumbarumba Sawmill, which has a long-standing relationship with Corrective Services NSW, expanded its employment of minimum-security inmates after bushfire and housing shortages left the mill unable to fill workforce vacancies or operate at capacity.

Mannus Correctional Centre classification and placement officer Anna Hjelmroth said inmates nearing the end of their sentence are allowed to apply for the coveted positions, which provide them with paid employment and work experience prior to their release.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity because they get to feel normal, reintegrate and take on that responsibility before leaving prison with a bit of money in their account to set up for a law-abiding life,” Ms Hjelmroth said.

“Inmates take really valuable skills to Hyne that they’ve gained here at Mannus by working in our onsite timber processing unit or gaining qualifications like a forklift ticket through our programs with TAFE NSW.”

So far, 11 inmates are working at the sawmill, including John* who earnt his place on the team 18 months ago.

“At Mannus I’ve learned how to operate machines and be part of a normal workplace,” he said.

“This job is giving me a good work ethic, confidence to go back into the working world and financial stability for when I get out.

“You feel good about yourself and I think it helps you progress back to a normal way of life.”

Hyne Timber Tumbarumba Sawmill site manager, Darren Wright, said inmate employees are proving essential to the sawmill, which produces a volume of structural framing onsite every day that could almost stretch from Tumbarumba to Sydney.

“We have a fit and able workforce just five minutes down the road, helping us fill many vacancies in spite of current recruitment challenges and our experience has been very positive,” Mr Wright said.

“Our Mannus Correctional Centre team members are hard-working, appreciative of the opportunity and paid equitably.”

CSNSW Commissioner Kevin Corcoran said empowering inmates through education and employment pathways is paramount to rehabilitation.

“Training and education for inmates empowers them to gain employable skills for when they are released and offers a better chance at successfully re-integrating into communities,” Mr Corcoran said.

Mannus Correctional Centre is an all-male, minimum-security facility, housing up to 160 inmates, who work in areas like the sheep and cattle yards, apple orchard and timber yard across the centre’s 4,000 acres.

*Not his real name

$1.5 million partnership to deliver major jobs and skills boost for Riverina

A new partnership will secure substantial economic, employment and education benefits for Riverina communities as part of critical clean energy infrastructure projects in the region.

Transgrid and Regional Development Australia (RDA) Riverina have formed a $1.5 million Workforce Development Strategic Partnership to deliver a major jobs and skills boost as the region becomes a hub for the country’s renewable energy transformation.

It follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two organisations to drive workforce development and economic growth initiatives for the Riverina as part of Transgrid’s EnergyConnect, HumeLink and VNI West projects.

Transgrid CEO Brett Redman said the energy infrastructure leader is delighted to provide $1.5 million for a range of RDA Riverina initiatives across the region.

Transgrid CEO Brett Redman and RDA Riverina CEO Rachel Whiting sign the funding agreement in Wagga today.

“We are building the transmission super-highway which will transform the energy supply for millions of Australians and the Riverina is in the driver’s seat with our major clean energy projects centred on the region,” Mr Redman said.

“Transgrid’s EnergyConnect, HumeLink and VNI West projects will bring significant economic, employment and education opportunities to the Riverina and we are committed to making a positive difference for the local community.

“We are delighted to form this partnership to help create jobs, expand education and training opportunities particularly for youth, attract new workers, develop skills, and drive other workforce and economic growth initiatives to maximise the benefits for the Riverina.”

RDA Riverina CEO Rachel Whiting, RDA Riverina chair Dianna Somerville, Transgrid first-year apprentice substation technician Joannah McDougall and Transgrid CEO Brett Redman at the RDA Riverina offices at Charles Sturt University, Wagga.

Transgrid’s $1.5 million funding boost will support RDA Riverina programs over the next three years including:

• Riverina Liveability Hub – expand its nation-leading Country Change campaign to attract people to the Riverina for work, education and recreation by including another six local government areas

• Riverina Workforce Hub – expand the JobsRiverina online employment site to include the Murray region to help local businesses attract new staff and skills, and

• Youth Pathways – expand its successful Grow Our Own program into the Eastern Riverina to encourage local businesses to invest in local people particularly youth through employment, training, mentoring and motivational opportunities.

RDA Riverina CEO and Director of Regional Development Rachel Whiting welcomed Transgrid’s support for its detailed Workforce Development Plan.

“Transgrid has taken an opportunity to strengthen these existing projects, bolstering and expanding place-based solutions that benefit its projects and the greater community,” Ms Whiting said.

“Further developing existing projects and programs builds on established relationships and investments with local businesses and extended networks. This can only benefit local business and community.”

Under the MoU, Transgrid and RDA Riverina will work in partnership to:

• Maximise opportunities from energy infrastructure and Renewable Energy Zone projects

• Identify and develop strategies to address employment and skill shortages

• Offer and support skills and training initiatives, and

• Assist research and advocacy projects on issues of concern including housing and accommodation, labour and skills shortages, and infrastructure challenges.

Regional Investment Activation Fund Applications Open

The NSW Government’s $110 million Regional Investment Activation Fund will make regional NSW the location of choice for investors, facilitating new private sector investment to activate the potential of priority precincts and industries.

Regional Investment Activation Fund – grant funding opportunity

The NSW Government has designed the $110 million Regional Investment Activation Fund to unlock private sector investment through two targeted funding streams.

Both streams are now open for applications.

This grant funding aims to:  

• Drive increased productivity, innovation and business competitiveness in regional NSW

• Activate new industries

• Promote industry cluster developments

• Deliver new and sustainable employment opportunities.

This grant is administered by the Department of Regional NSW.

Stream One is an open, competitive grants program with a two-stage application and assessment process (Expression of Interest followed by Detailed Application). Eligible applications will be assessed on their comparative merits against the nominated eligibility and assessment criteria.

Stream Two is an open, non-competitive grants program where applicants can contact the Department to apply for funding. Applications will be assessed individually, without reference to the comparative merits of other applications. Stream Two aims to provide increased flexibility to secure investments that are time-sensitive and strategically significant for a priority industry or location.

The Department of Regional NSW will be holding an online industry briefing on Tuesday 11th October at 12pm.

This online industry briefing will help businesses understand the Regional Investment Activation Fund guidelines and funding available, including the eligibility criteria, assessment and selection process.

Inland Rail independent review announced

The Australian Government has today announced the appointment of Dr Kerry Schott AO to lead an independent review into the Inland Rail project.

This delivers on the Australian Government’s election commitment to take a close look at the planning, governance and delivery of Inland Rail.

The review will consider the process for selecting the Inland Rail route, including stakeholder consultation, and assess the project’s scope, schedule and cost. 

The review will also assess options for the new Inland Rail intermodal terminals to be built in Melbourne and Brisbane, and improving rail links to the ports in these cities.

The review will have regard to existing studies, such as the Toowoomba to Gladstone Inland Rail Extension Business Case.

Inland Rail is an important part of building additional capability and capacity to increase the resilience of Australia’s freight supply chain and meet our growing freight task, which is forecast to grow by up to 35 per cent by 2040.

Moving freight off the roads and on to rail will help with the task of decarbonising while helping regional cities grow by providing more opportunities for jobs and industries.

The independent review is expected to be completed by early 2023. The Government intends to release the findings of the review once it has an opportunity to consider them.

The Australian Government has today also released the Final Report of the Independent International Panel of Experts for Flood Studies (the Panel) of Inland Rail in Queensland.

The Australian Government welcomes the findings of the Panel and will work with both the Queensland Government and ARTC to implement the Panel’s recommendations. The Final Report can be accessed at inlandrail.gov.au/independent-flood-panel.

To find out more about the Review visit: inlandrail.gov.au/independent-review .

Grow Our Own Steering Committee welcomes new members

The Grow Our Own Steering Committee has grown again! Industry Liaison Officer, Marg Couch welcomed new members Country Universities Centre Western Riverina , Intersales, ICI Industries Pty Ltd, Cater & Blumer Legal, Tocal College, Kurrajong and Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod to the table at Whitton Malt House.  Together we discussed how industry and education can collaborate to inspire people to live and learn locally, with a focus on the ways industry can invest in local talent.

Thank you to the Grow Our Own Stakeholder presenters for the informative updates on trends, opportunities and changes in the education, employment and skills sector.

▪️ Steve Seetanna - Local Jobs Program

▪️ Miranda Exner - Skills Brokers, Training Services NSW

▪️ Pippa Maddocks - VERTO, Australian Apprenticeship Support Network

▪️ Shiron Kirkman - CUC WR, Driving Regional Education

A big thank you to our founding partners, Casella Family Brands, Flavourtech, SunRice, TAFE NSW, Yenda Producers, Griffith City Council, Leeton Shire and Murrumbidgee Regional High School who continue to support the Grow Our Own place-based strategy to strengthen the Riverina's future workforce. Grow Our Own is an industry and education led alliance comprising 16 businesses and 4 education providers including the Western Riverina Careers Advisors Network who meet quarterly. Twice a year, we invite other stakeholders to join a meeting, these include business, government skills and employment brokers.

For more information about Grow Our Own and what we do, get in touch with Marg Couch on ilo@rdariverina.org.au

New drone website has lifted off

The Australian Government has launched a new website, drones.gov.au, to provide clear, accessible information on drone rules and regulations in one location.

Drone technology has skyrocketed over the last decade and is now used beyond recreation for a wide range of commercial purposes, including in disaster relief, environmental management and agriculture.

As Australia’s official source on drones and emerging aviation technologies, drones.gov.au provides a central location for visitors seeking information about drone use, related policy, rules and regulations, or specific resources on various linked websites, including the CASA website.

This initial release aims to provide industry, recreational users and interested members of the public with information on drone policies and regulation, including complaints processes.

It also provides the opportunity to submit feedback or concerns about drone use in your community.

You can:

• Easily find the safety rules for recreational or commercial drone use

• Apply for a noise approval

• Share feedback on drone use in your community

Find out more about:

• How drones are being used in Australia

• Our policies and programs

Circular Economy Business Mapping Survey

The circular economy is a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling existing materials and products for as long as possible. 

The Department of Regional NSW (DRNSW) is interested to hear from those businesses who see themselves as part of the circular economy and are happy to provide information (via the attached survey) that will help identify the depth and breadth of the circular economy and businesses to work together across the Riverina Murray Region.

If you are a processor, distributor, recycler, collector, retailer, or any other business who operates within the Circular Economy, we would be keen to understand a little about you and the raw and waste materials that flow into and from your business.

There are many regional businesses that are not aware of the significant value add they can provide to one another through sharing their waste streams.

DRNSW is looking to identify businesses that see themselves as operating within the circular economy to gain a better knowledge of the raw material inputs and outputs to understand where waste material from one business may be a raw material for another.

It would be appreciated if you could spend some time (no more than 8 minutes) to complete the survey.

The information gained will be used to identify opportunities to support and connect circular economy businesses in a meaningful way on an ongoing basis.

Gerard Van Emmerik

Business Development Manager

Department of Regional NSW

Ph: 0418 411 612

New Emergency Campaign in Six Languages

The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) has recently launched a new public information campaign focusing on culturally and linguistically diverse communities in flood-prone areas.

The new messaging includes translated content for video,  social media, radio and multicultural community newspapers.

The campaign has been developed in 6 languages, these are:

1. Arabic

2. Cantonese

3. Farsi

4. Korean

5. Mandarin

6. Punjabi.

The NSW SES campaign will help more people living in flood-prone areas to understand emergency advice.

The translated information will also allow people to be aware of the dangers of severe weather events and be better prepared to respond when flooding does occur.

• For the full suite of translated resources, go to: www.ses.nsw.gov.au/languages

• Learn more: www.ses.nsw.gov.au/yourfloodplan.

• Read more: https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/news/all-news/2022/new-ses-campaign-in-six-languages/

Rural communities given a $1.7 million boost

Thanks to FRRR’s Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program, 130 projects across remote, rural and regional Australia will share in $1,663,531 in grants.

These projects are all community-led initiatives that will have a direct benefit to the people living in the local area.

For the first time, the SRC grant recipients have been divided into three streams: the Small & Vital stream, 2019/20 Black Summer bushfire recovery and a new Rebuilding Regional Communities stream, which focuses on recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in remote, rural and regional Australia.

In the Riverina, two projects received funding:

Rebuilding Regional Communities Micro stream

Hay Mardi Gras

Rainbow on the Plains Next Step, Step it Up
Reduce social isolation for the LBGTQIA+ community and build resilience both locally and nationally for this vulnerable cohort through support for Rainbow on the Plains.

$10,000

Small & Vital stream

Rankin's Springs and District War Memorial Hall

Bollards for Hall Safety
Improve safety for preschool children, staff and hall visitors by installing removable bollards around the Rankins Springs Hall.

$3,000

MADEC Harvest Trail Services | App now available

MADEC Harvest Trail Services are specialists in assisting Horticulture Growers to locate willing, suitable workers to fill harvest vacancies. You can now register with MADEC Harvest Trail Services via the app available for ios and Android.

Become a Net-Zero Hero!

A new initiative has been launched, designed to help not-for-profit leaders cut greenhouse gas emissions and respond to climate change.

The Net Zero Heroes website includes help sheets about key climate change concepts, mitigation and adaptation strategies, and tools to help not-for-profits take action, including a free funding discovery portal.  

The site focuses on three key strategies for cutting greenhouse gas emissions: 

1.     Shifting to green power 

2.     Installing solar and batteries 

3.     Transitioning car fleets to hybrid and electric vehicles  

Deals developed specifically for the not-for-profit sector will be added in coming weeks. 

ICDA’s Community Directors Council chair Susan Pascoe AM says not-for-profit leaders must consider climate change as a serious governance issue.  

“The new ICDA site is not just for environmental organisations – every single not-for-profit needs to be shifting to cut their emissions, and every single not-for-profit organisation should be planning for climate change,” she said.  

“Climate change will affect everything. Whether you’re a sports group or an arts group or a charity working with vulnerable Australians – every single organisation has a responsibility to understand what climate change means for their mission, their operations and their constituents.” 

Visit the Net Zero Heroes site at communitydirectors.com.au/zero.

EnergyConnect Project Update

Second half of nation’s biggest electricity grid project approved as construction powers ahead

Transgrid has welcomed the NSW Government’s final environmental approval for the eastern section of the nation’s biggest transmission project EnergyConnect, as works in the western section accelerate.

CEO Brett Redman said “We are pleased the NSW Minister for Planning has cleared the path for us to progress the second half of our $1.8 billion interconnector project.

"The Government has completed a thorough review of the Environmental Impact Statement for the around 540km eastern section of the project - just as we accelerate the construction efforts in the west of NSW.

“Works on the western section of Australia’s largest electricity transmission project are progressing well, with the construction of a 30-hectare camp to house hundreds of workers at Buronga, near Mildura, before crews prepare to assemble and erect the first of 1,500 steel towers.

“We are building the energy superhighway and EnergyConnect is the biggest project yet for Transgrid. The interconnector will enable sharing of energy between NSW and South Australia and Victoria for the first time, enable the integration of renewable generation and help the Federal Government achieve its climate change targets.

“EnergyConnect will also save NSW customers $180 million per year, create up to 1,500 jobs and contribute $4 billion in net benefits.”

Transgrid’s construction partner SecureEnergy JV started works in June, 2022 on the 135km western section of the project, between Buronga and the South Australian border. More than 200 people are already on the project, with delivery expected in late 2024.

A 30-hectare accommodation camp and laydown with office facilities is taking shape at Buronga, to accommodate up to 340 workers. The existing Buronga substation will also be expanded to become one of the largest in Australia. Another camp to house an additional 160 personnel is being built on Renmark Rd. Later this year, crews will build the foundations needed to erect the first of 1,500 towers, which will use approximately 30,000 tonnes of steel.

“Today’s planning approval adds momentum to this once in a generation transmission project that will reshape the National Electricity Market, making it possible for Australians to access cleaner and cheaper energy,” Mr Redman said.

The project is now proceeding for assessment by the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

Course | Wine Tourism Ready - Learn how to build a profitable tourism business

Wine Tourism Ready is a self-paced online course that teaches you how to attract more international travellers and develop a profitable tourism trade.

While much of the focus for wineries is on domestic tourism, attracting international visitors allows you to diversify your markets and create new avenues for business. But where do you start? What markets should you target? How do you navigate the different industry players and promote your tourism product globally?

This comprehensive course answers these key questions and more. 

Developed in partnership with the Australian Tourism Export Council, Wine Tourism Australia and Fastrack Asian Solutions

There are six modules in total. Work through the lessons, templates and activities step by step to create your own wine tourism plan in module 6, or simply skip to the topics you’re interested in.

Module 1: Capitalising on the visitor economy

Module 2: Setting up your tourism experiences

Module 3: Using B2B channels to bring in business

Module 4: Mastering your consumer marketing

Module 5: Pricing for profit

Module 6: Delivering your tourism growth strategy

A bright future for agriculture: DAFF joins the digital revolution

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has launched a new online Export Service. The service makes it quicker and easier for export businesses to do their work.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) plays a vital but often overlooked role in Aussie exports. It negotiates the technical access requirements for importing agricultural goods into another country. Having agreed on the logistic requirements, it’s then up to DAFF to regulate Aussie exporters. 

‘We regulate to help Australian businesses prosper,’ says David Hazlehurst, Deputy Secretary of the Agricultural Trade Group at DAFF. ‘Through our international network of Agriculture Counsellors, and digital tools, we want to make it as easy as possible for exporters to comply with the requirements of another country. Otherwise, their goods won’t be accepted at the other end.’ 

DAFF has sponsored the Australian Export Awards for 7 years. ‘It is fantastic to see the level of commitment and innovation that our regional exporters are contributing to Australian agriculture,’ says Hazlehurst. 

‘As a longstanding supporter of the Awards’ regional exporter category, we are proud to recognise the outstanding work that these businesses do in promoting growth in regional Australia.’ 

The future is digital for export regulation 

Hazlehurst says that in 2022, you can’t think about regulation without thinking digital as ‘the two don’t exist in isolation.’ 

DAFF recently launched the new online agriculture Export Service. The service allows registered businesses to start conducting their transactions with the department digitally. 

As part of the streamlined service, Aussie exporters can look forward to:

• simpler and reduced touchpoints with DAFF

• more autonomy in completing regulatory requirements for export

• automated, paperless documentation and reporting

• more export opportunities based on risk and return

• simpler ways to comply, meaning less unintentional non-compliance.

‘The world is complex enough, and markets are changing and changeable,’ says Hazlehurst. 

‘If we’re able to be more responsive as a regulator, exporters will be able to respond faster to changes, too.’ 

Building resilience through digital transformation 

In the next 12 months, Hazlehurst says DAFF’s work will increase the security and resilience of digital systems crucial to keeping Australia’s goods moving across the globe. It will help businesses spend less time and money dealing with government. 

‘A digital and regulatory partnership means DAFF’s export offerings are more effective, efficient, and valuable to those who use them,’ he says. ‘The move better empowers exporters to get on with business.’ 

DAFF predicts the Export Service will benefit industry by allowing them to get their products to market faster and with reduced administrative effort.

Making life easier for honey and dairy exporters 

The digital service is still in its infancy. DAFF is intentionally building in increments, releasing new features often so they can start adding value immediately. ‘It’s already making life easier for people who are using it,’ says Hazlehurst. 

One of the improvements enables self-service capabilities for dairy and honey exporters. Businesses choosing self-service can request export permits and certificates from the department directly. 

This means they no longer need to purchase software or rely on agents to act on their behalf. It empowers exporters, giving them better visibility and control of their export journey. It also removes the need for manual documentation. 

From paddock to plane: a Future Traceability Hub 

'The work being done around traceability is particularly exciting,' says Hazlehurst. 

‘Connecting data sources so we can easily say “we know where this shipment has come from and can trace it right back to the grower” is a game changer.’ 

DAFF’s Future Traceability Hub is currently looking at organic red meat certification. The project will identify traceability pain points and use data to improve this system. This project can also be scaled up to include other credentials, like grass-fed or sustainable production. 

‘We expect this project will provide us with insights to inform data standards and future-ready systems,’ says Hazlehurst. 

A bright future for the agriculture sector 

Hazlehurst notes that agricultural trade reform involves making improvements across all the pieces of the trade puzzle. 

‘We’ve learned a lot in building the Export Service,’ he says. ‘We’re sharing what we’ve learned with other departments through the Simplified Trade System initiative'. 

‘This digital transformation and related trade reform work are critical. They will support our agriculture sector to meet its Agriculture 2030 goal of $100 billion in farm‑gate returns. We’re proud to support farmers, producers and exporters to meet this goal.’

Expanded access to Japanese encephalitis vaccine

NSW is further expanding free access to Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine to Murrumbidgee residents to protect those most at risk

A new seroprevalence survey by NSW Health found that one in 11 people who took part showed evidence of previous infection.

In addition to the current group of people who work with pigs or mosquito or in specialised laboratories, Communicable Diseases Network Australia’s (CDNA) national priority groups, and some international travellers, JE vaccine is now also recommended for people who:

• live and work in any of the following Local Government Areas (LGAs) within the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD): Albury, Berrigan, Carrathool, Edward River, Federation, Greater Hume, Griffith, Lockhart, Murray River, Temora, AND

• are aged 50 years or older AND

• spend significant time outdoors (four hours per day).

JE vaccine is available through local General Practitioners (GPs). People who meet the above criteria should make an appointment with their GP and let them know it is for the Japanese Encephalitis vaccine. GPs may require a few days’ notice so they can order the vaccine.

MLHD Public Health Director Tracey Oakman extended her thanks to the more than one thousand (1,048) participants from communities across Griffith, Temora, Corowa, Balranald and Dubbo who provided blood samples in the survey. These areas were selected on the basis of JE virus activity.

One in 11, or 80 in 917 people, showed antibodies, indicating past infection with JE virus that would not have been acquired in another country.

As the purpose of the survey was understanding the risk of being infected with the JE virus in NSW, the remaining 131 participants were excluded as they had received a JE vaccine before, travelled for more than one month in, or were born in, a country where JE is commonly found.

To date, 13 people in NSW have been clinically diagnosed with JE in NSW this year and two of those people sadly died. All were estimated to have acquired the virus between mid-January and the end of February 2022.

“The results of this serosurvey provide us with valuable insight into the prevalence of past JE infections in these communities after it was first detected earlier this year,” Ms Oakman said.

“Vaccination is an important part of the public health response, but currently, global supply of JE vaccine is very limited. So we’re urging people to protect themselves by avoiding mosquito bites altogether, particularly as we head into warmer months.”

JE is a serious disease caused by the JE virus, however only around one per cent of people infected with the JE virus will experience symptoms.

JE is spread to humans by infected mosquitoes. People are not able to pass the virus to other people. Humans also cannot get infected with the virus by touching an infected animal or eating animal products, including pork products.

Australian mosquitoes can carry a range of viruses for which there are no vaccines, so it is vital to avoid mosquito bites.

Protect yourself and your family by:

• covering openings such as windows and doors with insect screens and checking there are no have gaps in them

• removing items that might collect water (such as old tyres, empty pots) outside your house where mosquitoes can breed

• improving drainage on your property so that water does not become stagnant

• wearing light, loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts, long pants and covered footwear and socks, especially around dusk and dawn

• applying repellent to all areas of exposed skin, using repellents that contain DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus

• re-applying repellent regularly, particularly after swimming, being sure to always apply sunscreen first and then apply repellent

• using insecticide sprays, vapour dispensing units and mosquito coils to repel mosquitos (mosquito coils should only be used outside).

In line with national reporting structures, NSW Health reports any new cases and case locations on the NSW Health website. According to the CDNA criteria, asymptomatic people found to have JE antibodies through serosurvey studies do not meet the case definition for JE disease, unlike those who were clinically diagnosed.

For further information on JE virus and ways to protect yourself go to: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/jevirus