Laying the foundations for a better, more secure future

Media Release from the NSW Premier, and the NSW Treasurer

Media Release | 19 September 2023

Every person across NSW should have access to a safe and secure place to call home.

Housing affordability and availability is the biggest single pressure facing the people of NSW, with mortgage payments or rent the largest expense for most households.

The Minns Labor Government recognises housing as essential infrastructure and the 2023-24 Budget, lays out a plan to rebuild a neglected system through immediate support and critical long-term planning.

Long-term housing supply

A $2.2 billion Housing and Infrastructure Plan is at the centre of this budget, to begin addressing the historic neglect of new housing supply.

The plan includes:

• $300 million reinvested in Landcom to accelerate the construction of thousands of new homes, with 30% of these to be affordable housing.

• $400 million reserved in Restart NSW to deliver the infrastructure that will unlock housing across the state.

• $1.5 billion committed for housing related infrastructure through the Housing and Productivity Contribution.
   

Faster planning program

The budget furthers our long-term reform in housing with the creation of the new $38.7 million Faster Planning Program.

This program delivers:

• $24 million for a NSW Building Commission to protect home buyers from substandard buildings.

• $9.1 million to assess housing supply opportunities across government-owned sites, including for new social housing.

• NSW Budget 2023-24 budget.nsw.gov.au.

• $5.6 million on artificial intelligence to make planning systems more efficient.

• Overhauling and simplifying the planning system by redirecting resources from the Greater Cities Commission and Western Parkland City Authority.
   

Homes NSW backed by the Essential Housing Package

The Minns Labor Government will establish Homes NSW to deliver better outcomes for public and social housing tenants, deliver more affordable and social housing and reduce the number of homeless people in NSW.

An investment of $224 million will support the Government’s Essential Housing Package which includes:

• $70 million debt financing to accelerate the delivery of social, affordable and private homes, primarily in regional NSW.

• $35.3 million to continue to provide housing services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families through Services Our Way.

• $35 million to support critical social housing maintenance.

• $20 million reserved in Restart NSW for dedicated mental health housing.

• $15 million to establish a NSW Housing Fund for urgent priority housing and homelessness measures to confront the housing crisis.

• $11.3 million to extend the Together Home program.

• $11 million urgent funding injection to Temporary Accommodation in 2023-24 to address rising homelessness.

• $10.5 million urgent funding injection to the Community Housing Leasing Program.

• $10 million Modular Housing Trial to deliver faster quality social housing.

• $5.9 million urgent funding in 2023-24 to allow Specialist Homelessness Services to address increasing demand.

In addition, the Commonwealth’s $610 million Social Housing Accelerator program will permanently increase social housing by around 1500 dwellings.

Rental reform

Renters are receiving immediate support with their rights bolstered right across NSW.

Tens of thousands of people renting will receive extra protection from the recent appointment of a state-first NSW Rental Commissioner.

The Commissioner will work with government to make renting fairer, more affordable and more secure.

We are committed to implementing a Portable Rental Bonds Scheme to ease financial pressure.

Renters will also be protected from unfair evictions by creating reasonable grounds for ending a lease. And we’re making it easier for renters to have pets in homes.

And new Build to Rent trials will be supported on the South Coast and in the Northern Rivers with $60 million.

First Home Buyers

From 1 July 2023 our First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme expanded stamp duty exemptions and concessions to help 5 out of every 6 first home buyers pay no stamp duty, or a concessional rate.

Early figures reveal this immediate support has been taken up by more than 1000 first home buyers purchasing in the $650,000 to $800,000 range, who enjoyed a full exemption from stamp duty in July alone.

Preliminary data also shows some 650 first home buyers received a stamp duty concession in the $800,000 to $1 million range in July.

These buyers would previously have had to pay full stamp duty or opt into an unfair annual property tax.

A foundation for a better and more secure future for NSW

Addressing a chronic housing shortage requires a long-term plan.

After 12 years of neglect, the Minns Labor Government is working to provide relief now while putting in the proper planning to ensure we’re ready for the challenges of the future.

We are a government with a clear focus – managing our finances responsibly so we can provide support when you need it most and improve the essential services that we all rely on, now and into the future.

$1 million in Aboriginal cultural grants to help Close the Gap

Media Release from the NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty

Media Release | 21 September 2023

$1 million in grants is now open for Aboriginal Community Organisations to apply to stage events and activities that celebrate and promote traditional and contemporary expressions of Aboriginal culture. Grants from $500 to $20,000 are on offer over two rounds. 

The grants program is just one of the key initiatives funded in the first Minns Labor Budget with $131.4 million over the next four years to support the continued implementation of the co-developed Closing the Gap initiatives.

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said the program would help deliver a key priority of the Closing the Gap agreement that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people enjoy high levels of social and emotional wellbeing.

“Closing the Gap is a key priority of the Minns Labor Government and confirmed in our first budget. This program is essential in creating in creating a sense of belonging, wellbeing and healing with Aboriginal communities in NSW and I am proud to support it,” Mr Harris said.

“Aboriginal communities will be able to come together to share cultural knowledge and skills between generations and that is something to be supported and celebrated.”

The previous Cultural Grants program in the financial year 2022/23 supported 91 projects across NSW, totalling just over $1.5 million in funding.

“Previous events and activities funded under the Program have been as varied and vibrant as the communities they represent,” Mr Harris said.

“From digital installations showcasing Aboriginal history, to camps connecting young people to culture, to events honouring the achievements of community members – the opportunities to celebrate culture, community and country are endless.”

The Program will be delivered in two rounds of $500,000. Round 1 closes on 9 October 2023 and Round 2 opens from 15 January 2024 to 26 February 2024.

Applicants can apply anytime from 28 August 2023 via the online grants program Smarty Grantslaunch

For more information visit the Aboriginal Affairs websitelaunch or contact the Aboriginal Affairs Cultural Investments team on grants@aboriginalaffairs.nsw.gov.aulaunch

National industries and governments decide to transition the Varroa mite program

Media Release from the NSW Minister for Agriculture

Media Release | 20 September 2023

The National Management Group (NMG), driving the Varroa mite program across Australia met yesterday, and has decided to transition its approach to addressing this biosecurity issue confronting the nation’s beekeepers and pollination industry.

After considering the latest scientific data and advice, governments and industry organisations have unanimously decided to move from an eradication program to a management approach.
 
The NSW Government has agreed with all industry and government partners that the potential to eradicate is no longer possible and that we now need to work collaboratively to manage and minimise the impact of varroa.
 
Despite the comprehensive $101 million spend and effort to eradicate the mite, the transition from an ‘eradication’ program to a ‘management’ program was concluded because of the many factors working against a possible eradication in Australia. 
 
The NSW Government will work with all the national players and reallocate resources to slowing the spread of the pest and providing management options to help minimising its impact. 
 
Communications are being developed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and industry partners to explain to all stakeholders what this shift in program means and how the government will guide and assist affected stakeholders.
 
The NMG considered the following major factors for why eradication has not reached its desired objectives: 

• Non-compliance by some bee industry actors with the NSW Movement Orders and the mandatory hive testing (alcohol washes), and evidence of illegal movement of bees resulting in further spread of the varroa mite. 

• The recent spike in new detections, have made it clear that the Varroa mite infestation is more widespread and has also been present for longer than first thought.

• The increase in new detections and generation of a control area greater than 16,000 km2, has stretched the eradication team’s responses to their technical limit.

Pipeline of skilled workers secured as $93.5 million invested in hiring 1000 new apprentices and trainees

Media Release from the NSW Premier, Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, and Minister for Transport

Media Release | 21 September 2023

One thousand new apprentices and trainees will soon have jobs as the Minns Labor government commits $93.5 million to building a pipeline of skilled workers for NSW.

This initiative is part of the NSW Government’s plan to tackle skills gaps in the state’s economy in priority industries, including in critical services of transport, electricity, water, IT and cyber security.

The program involves NSW Government departments, state-owned corporations, and other public service employers looking for opportunities to hire 500 apprentices and 500 trainees. This will include those who already hire apprentices and trainees, as well as those who have not traditionally taken on those workers.

This vital $93.5 million investment through the 2023-2024 NSW Budget marks the delivery of an election commitment and is part of the Minns Labor government’s long-term plan to rebuild the essential services.

The government has a clear focus on responsibly managing finances to provide opportunities where people need them most, to improve the essential services, now and into the future.

Training Services NSW will work alongside TAFE NSW and other quality training providers to ensure apprentices and trainees are highly-qualified and can meet the needs of their employers.

All 1000 apprentices and trainees will join the NSW Government workforce by mid-2026.

Hiring early career, or upskilling mid-career workers, will ensure the government has access to a talented pool of workers in a competitive labour market.

More funding to inspire Australia’s creative kids

Media Release from the Hon Tony Burke MP, Minister for the Arts

MEDIA RELEASE | Wednesday 13 September 2023

More young Australians will be supported to pursue artistic endeavours with the Australian Government announcing a further funding boost for youth arts.

The Albanese Labor Government is investing $450,000 in Creative Australia to support its delivery of programs that increase young people’s participation in arts and theatre.

This will provide more opportunities for young people to realise their creative potential and discover new and exciting avenues for cultural expression.

Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said young Australians have an important contribution to make to our arts scene.

“Through Revive, our new National Cultural Policy, we’re making sure more Australian stories can be told.

“This funding will help more young people to explore the arts and find their voice.

“I’m pleased that Creative Australia will be driving this investment in our future generation of artists.”

Adrian Collette AM, CEO of Creative Australia said, “This funding augments our capacity to support children and young people to develop their own artistic expression and invest in creative projects and programs made by, with, and for them.

“Creative Australia is actively considering its investments for children and young people through all its existing and future activities in our new incarnation as Creative Australia.”

For more information on Revive, visit https://www.arts.gov.au/what-we-do/new-national-cultural-policy.

Australian Government welcomes new industry code for search engines

Media Release from the Hon Michelle Rowland MP, Minister for Communications

MEDIA RELEASE | Friday 08 September 2023

The Minister for Communications has welcomed the eSafety Commissioner’s registration of a new industry code of practice to tackle seriously harmful online content.

The new Search Engine Services Code includes mandatory requirements to reduce the risk that illegal online content such as terrorism or child abuse material will be returned to Australians via search results. The new Code will apply to search engines including Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo and Yahoo.

Search engines are the ‘gateway to the internet’ for many Australians so this is a significant development in the implementation of the Online Safety Act 2021. The code will come into effect six months following registration and brings the number of completed industry codes governing the digital industry to six.

The new code of practice follows a request from the eSafety Commissioner to the online search engine services industry earlier in the year to revise their draft code to ensure greater protections against risks posed by generative AI.  

Five industry codes were registered in June this year and outline steps the online industry must take to limit access or exposure to, and distribution and storage of, seriously harmful material.

The eSafety Commissioner will continue to progress work on developing industry standards for two codes that did not provide appropriate community safeguards. The registration of industry codes and standards are independent regulatory decisions taken by the eSafety Commissioner.

To learn more about the industry codes, visit www.esafety.gov.au/industry/codes.

Shining a light on our plan for harmonised road safety data this Rural Road Safety Month

Media Release from Senator the Hon Carol Brown, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport

MEDIA RELEASE | Monday 18 September 2023

The Road Deaths Australia bulletin released by Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics (BITRE) today shows a higher than average number of road deaths for August, compared to August 2022. This is both devastating and disappointing and comes amid Rural Road Safety Month.

September is Rural Road Safety Month, which promotes awareness of the increased risks of travelling on and around our regional roads, such as increased speeds, road conditions, and emergency response and retrieval times. All road users must consider how they can uphold road safety.

Road safety matters are complex and don’t have quick solutions, which is why the Albanese Government is working with states and territories on a number of road safety commitments to halve road deaths by 2030, on the path to zero by 2050.

Inadequate road safety data has long been a topic of discussion in the road safety community. This Government is doing the work to improve national road safety data collection and reporting. 

There are many complexities in producing a nationally consistent road safety data set. Road safety data is owned and recorded by individual states and territories, and road safety is often not the primary reason for data collection. State and territories also have differences in how this data is recorded and reported (from questions through to data presentation).

The Australian Government is working with all states and territories to create more reliable, consistent and accessible data, and then will look at what other valuable road safety data could be collected to inform policy and improve safety for all road users.

Through the National Road Safety Action Plan 2023-25, the Australian Government is working towards completing a National Road Safety Data Collection and Reporting Framework and minimum national dataset in 2024.

The Framework will set consistent definitions, structured and standard formats and timely outputs to provide the scaffolds for a minimum national data set.

This work is being undertaken in conjunction with state and territory governments through the Road Safety Data Working Group. The Road Safety Data Working Group consists of senior departmental officials from each jurisdiction.

Have Your Say | DRAFT - Tolland Concept Masterplan

The draft Tolland Concept Masterplan, which outlines a vision for the renewal of the Tolland Estate, is now on public exhibition to allow for the community to provide feedback. The NSW Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC), Argyle Housing, Wagga Wagga City Council and other stakeholders have collaborated on the Masterplan.

The aim of the Draft Tolland Renewal Masterplan is to renew social, affordable and private homes, and deliver enhanced open spaces and community infrastructure.

Wagga Wagga City Council is placing the DRAFT – Tolland Concept Masterplan on public exhibition for a period of 42 days from 11 September to 24 October 2023 and is inviting public submissions until 24 October 2023 on the draft document. To view the draft Tolland Concept Masterplan and make an online submission, go to haveyoursay.wagga.nsw.gov.au/tolland-renewal You can also inspect the draft Masterplan in person at the Wagga Wagga Civic Centre between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

Join Wagga Wagga City Council at a community drop-in event to find out more information, talk to the project team and provide your feedback on what you think is important for the Tolland renewal. Community drop-in BBQ's   to be held at Tolland Community Centre, 41 Bruce Street, Tolland.

Session #1 | Thursday 21 September 2023 | 10am - 1pm or 4pm - 7pm

Session #2 | Tuesday 10 October 2023 | 10am - 1pm or 4pm - 7pm

$31 million to address Black Spots on New South Wales roads

Joint Media Release from Senator the Hon Carol Brown, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, and Fiona Phillips MP, Federal Member for Gilmore, Chair of the New South Wales Black Spot Consultative Panel

MEDIA RELEASE | Saturday 16 September 2023

Safety will be enhanced at 66 dangerous sites across New South Wales, with the Australian Government committing $31.9 million in 2023–24 to address known Black Spots.

The Black Spot Program improves safety at locations where crashes are occurring, or are risk of occurring, by funding treatments such as pedestrian crossings, guardrails and roundabouts.

Black Spot treatments help reduce serious injuries and deaths on our roads, and get people home safely.

Anyone can nominate a Black Spot for consideration. Consultative panels in each state and territory are responsible for considering nominations and recommending the highest priority sites for approval. 

The NSW panel includes representatives from Transport for NSW, the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia, the Traffic Management Association of Australia, Local Government NSW, the NRMA, the NSW Police Force, the Centre for Road Safety and the Federation of P&C Associations.

For more information on the Australian Government’s Black Spot Program, including how to nominate a black spot, visit investment.infrastructure.gov.au/funding/blackspots.

Regions need fair housing funding to address record workforce shortages

Media Release from the Regional Australia Institute

Media Release | 11 September 2023

The Regional Australia Institute (RAI) is backing a proposal to see regional, rural and remote Australia assured an equitable distribution of the Federal Government’s $10 billion housing fund, and local governments better supported in new development projects.

Independent Member for Indi, Dr Helen Haines, introduced the ‘Unlocking Regional Housing Bill’ Private Members Bill in Parliament today, which calls for at least 30% of the Housing Australia Future Fund to be directed to rural, regional and remote housing annually and for the regions to be specifically referenced in the objects of the enabling legislation.

The Bill seeks amendments to the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation Act, the enabling legislation for the Housing Australia Future Fund.

RAI CEO Liz Ritchie said rental availability in many regional towns was at, or below 1%.

“A lack of housing is at the centre of the region’s record workforce shortages, in which demand is most acute for GPs, nurses, aged care workers and early childhood educators,” Ms Ritchie said.

“Research by the RAI reveals 1 in 5 capital city Australians aspire to make the move to the regions and in fact, our recently released Big Movers 2023 report revealed millennials, those aged between 29-39, are moving in record numbers.

“Limited housing options threatens to put a handbrake on regional Australia’s population growth at a time when we badly need more people.”

Big Movers found between 2016 and 2021 more than 600,000 metropolitan Australians moved to regional communities – 120,000 more people than between 2011 and 2016. In addition, more than 720,000 people moved in between regional communities in the same time frame.

Ms Ritchie said the ‘Unlocking Regional Housing Bill’ acknowledged the challenges many regional and remote local governments faced when bringing new land to development.

“Unlike metropolitan LGAs, land availability for regional councils is often not the problem, it’s the cost of completing the necessary headworks such as sewerage, water, electricity, transportation, and roads,” Ms Ritchie said.

Importantly the proposed amendments also include a stipulation for regional housing expertise on the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation Board.

“Like many policy areas, the region’s housing challenges are nuanced and complex and a solution that works in metropolitan Australia may not work in the regions. It’s critical the leadership of the NHFIC is equipped with knowledge and experience that can ensure regional Australia’s bespoke housing needed are recognised and fixed,” Ms Ritchie said.

Addressing housing issues is one of the key goals of the Institute’s Regionalisation Ambition – a 10 year, 20 goal framework to better life in regional Australia.

By 2032, the Ambition aims to see rental vacancy rates increase to above 3% and for annual building approvals to keep pace with population growth.

On Wednesday, at the Regions Rising National Summit – Shifting Our Gaze, the RAI released the first progress report into the Regionalisation Ambition 2032, which will highlight how we as a nation have moved the dial on 20 targets set for regional Australia.

Have Your Say - Bus Industry Taskforce

The NSW Government has created a Bus Industry Taskforce to make recommendations to improve the reliability, quality and effectiveness of bus services across NSW. Bus services connect people to jobs, education, family and essential services and play a crucial role in supporting the broader transport network.

The Taskforce will bring together bus operators, industry experts, the workforce, and community representatives to determine how to deliver more efficient and reliable services. The Taskforce will investigate key factors relevant to bus operators’ performance and make recommendations to the Minister on options to address these performance issues.

You can have your say by completing a survey or uploading a submission to the Taskforce by 31 March 2024. Alternatively, you can register your interest to attend an in-person Bus Passenger Forum.

$200,000 Medium Business Support Grant extended to Central West and Southern NSW

Joint Media Release from the Minister for Emergency Services, the Minister for Regional Health, and the Minister for Western New South Wales

Media Release | Friday 1 September 2023

Flood-impacted medium-size businesses across the central west and southern NSW can now apply for up to $200,000 in support through a jointly-funded Albanese and Minns Government grant program, delivered by Service NSW.

The Medium Business Support Grant is available to business and non-profit organisations with more than 20 and less than 200 full-time equivalent employees who were directly impacted by storms and floods from August to September 2022.

Funds can be used to help offset the costs of recovery and re-establishing a business, including for safety inspections, building repairs, cleaning equipment, materials needed to resume trade, disposing of debris and spoiled stock or leasing temporary space.

The Medium Business Support Grant will be available in the local government areas (LGAs) of Balranald, Berrigan, Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina, Cabonne, Carrathool, Central Darling, Cobar, Cowra, Dubbo Regional, Edward River, Federation, Forbes, Griffith, Gunnedah, Hay, Junee, Lachlan, Leeton, Moree Plains, Murray River, Murrumbidgee, Narrabri, Narrandera, Parkes, Wagga Wagga, Walgett, Warren, Warrumbungle and Wentworth.

The grant is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

For more information and to apply, visit the Service NSWlaunch website or call Service NSW on 13 77 88

RDA Riverina is an Outstanding Community Organisation Finalist

Exciting News ! RDA Riverina is a Finalist in the Outstanding Community Organisation category in the 2023 Business NSW Riverina Murray Regional Business Awards!

The Outstanding Community Organisation Award recognises an organisation that works to improve the social, cultural or environmental well-being of the community. 

Entrants are required to demonstrate their commitment over the past 12 months to being an outstanding community organisation.  This category is open to social enterprises and not-for-profit organisations that have been trading for a period of over 24 months.

The Riverina Murray Business Awards gala will be held on  Friday 13 October 2023. 

Research Survey - Women Operating Online Businesses in Regional Australia

Heather Prider, a Flinders University Master’s student, is conducting a research project titled: “Regional women’s motivations and experiences of establishing and managing online businesses”.  This project (project number 5654) has been approved by Flinders University Human Research Ethics Committee.

The research purpose is to gain an understanding of the ‘triggers’, motivations and decision-making processes of female entrepreneurs living in regional Australia to establish and operate an online business, so that effective policies and programs can be formulated and enacted to support such businesses, and in doing so promote the economic and social wellbeing of regional communities.

For further information, please contact Heather Prider via email at prid0096@flinders.edu.au  or by telephone on 8302 0993. 

Tender opens for the National Audit of Mobile Coverage

Media Release from the Hon Michelle Rowland, Minister for Communications

MEDIA RELEASE | Tuesday 12 September 2023

I welcome the release by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts of the request for tender (RFT) to conduct a National Audit of Mobile Coverage.

This is a key milestone towards the Government’s efforts to audit mobile coverage across the country.

The aim of the Audit is to better identify mobile coverage black spots to help target future investment, and to assess the accuracy of carrier coverage maps. 

The RFT was informed by consultation through a request for information process, including from a range of industry, consumer and community stakeholders.

The RFT will seek proposals to deliver the Audit over a period of up to five years and it is anticipated that the Audit will be delivered through a modular approach. This will include an initial proof of concept through a pilot followed by a more comprehensive main audit. The department is also seeking existing and additional mobile coverage data such as crowd-sourced data or data from other audits.

The Audit is part of the Government’s Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia and a 2022 federal election commitment, with the October 2022-23 Budget confirming $20 million over 5 years to conduct the audit.

The Audit aims to leverage Australia Post infrastructure and assets, alongside other partnerships and approaches.

The RFT will close November 15th.

To apply, and for more information about the RFT, visit Austender.gov.au.

Major art and cultural exhibitions to tour the country

Media Release from the Hon Tony Burke, Minister for the Arts

MEDIA RELEASE | Monday 11 September 2023

More Australians around the country will be able to experience exhibitions at their local galleries and museums thanks to $1 million in funding from the Albanese Labor Government.

Making sure there’s a place for every story and a story for every place, the funding will support 12 exhibitions from Australia’s major cultural institutions to tour to remote, regional and metropolitan locations around the country.

The grants have been awarded under the National Collecting Institutions Touring and Outreach program, with recipients including:

• Australian National Maritime Museum - $87,484 to support the touring of award-winning works of art by Torres Strait Islander artist Alick Tipoti to three regional venues in Tasmania, Queensland and New South Wales as part of the Mariw Minaral (Spiritual Patterns) exhibition.

• National Gallery of Australia - $63,555 to support the National Indigenous Art Triennial – one of Australia’s preeminent exhibitions of First Nations art – to tour to New South Wales and South Australia.

• National Portrait Gallery of Australia - $24,117 to tour the Pub Rock exhibition – celebrating home-grown rock ‘n’ roll, punk and pop and featuring works by leading Australian music photographers – to Queensland venues.

The funding will also support the development of a further three new exhibitions by the Bundanon Trust, National Archives of Australia and National Museum of Australia.

Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said all Australians should have the opportunity to appreciate great art regardless of where they live.

“Australia’s national collections belong to everyone, no matter where you live.” Minister Burke said.

“That’s why our National Cultural Policy, Revive, focuses on sharing the extraordinary cultural materials held by our national collecting institutions with all Australians.”

“From Cowra to Kalgoorlie, and from Invermay to Ipswich – Australians across the country will be able to experience and enjoy these exhibitions.”

Find out more about the National Collecting Institutions Touring and Outreach program at https://www.arts.gov.au/funding-and-support/national-collecting-institutions-touring-and-outreach-program.

ABC Heywire | 2024 Trailblazers wanted to share the inspiring things they’re doing for regional Australia

Are you a young person up to something great in regional Australia?

What is Trailblazers?

Applications opened Tuesday September 5, 2023 for the ABC's 2024 Trailblazers program. Trailblazers is an exciting initiative from ABC Heywire to support young regional changemakers.

The ABC's Trailblazers program celebrates and supports regional Australia’s brightest new leaders. A cohort of young changemakers is selected each year, based on the work they are doing to strengthen their communities.

ABC Trailblazers are given the opportunity to share their work, ideas and projects on a national platform and receive an incredible package of support.

Past Trailblazer projects have addressed a range of issues, such as strengthening Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, promoting the well-being of young minds, advancing sustainable farming, fostering inclusivity for individuals living with disabilities, boosting employment opportunities, ensuring quality educational access, and helping entrepreneurs in remote areas. Check out the 2023 Trailblazers cohort and the exceptional work they do in strengthening their regional communities.

Who can apply to be a Trailblazer:

Individuals or groups of up to three people, who are:

· Aged 18-28 (as of 1 February 2024)

· Working on an innovative project aimed at strengthening regional Australia

· Committed to their community and regional Australia Terms & Conditions

What do Trailblazers receive?

· The chance to have their work featured nationally on the ABC.

· An all-expenses-paid trip to Canberra, ACT for the Heywire Regional Youth Summit.

· Exclusive opportunities to apply for the Sally Foundation’s Trailblazer Development Fund, a partnership with the Sally Foundation and the Foun

Apply: Expression of Interest form 

Help:  abcheywire@abc.net.au or heywire@infrastructure.gov.au

Connect:  Instagram @abc_heywire

Applications close: Wednesday October 4, 2023

Seeding new opportunities for the future of the IOT

Joint Media Release from the Hon Kristy McBain, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories and Marion Scrymgour MP, Federal Member for Lingiari

MEDIA RELEASE | Friday 08 September 2023

The future sustainability of local agriculture and farming in the Indian Ocean Territories (IOT) has been boosted, with the success of three exciting horticultural projects supported by the Albanese Labor Government’s Innovative Agricultural Trials grants program.  

The program, which delivered almost $450,000 to the projects in September 2022, is supporting economic diversification, sustainability and reduced dependency on imported produce for communities of Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

The projects have all successfully demonstrated different hydroponic techniques for producing locally grown fresh and affordable food, while providing skills development opportunities for these remote communities.

After extensive trials to optimise varieties that are suitable to the conditions and community demands, each of the three projects are now producing crops.

The Cocos Islands Co-operative Society Ltd is now harvesting crops weekly for distributions through local stores, with success growing cucumbers, bean sprouts and water spinach.

Over time, the Co-Op hopes to provide a weekly supply of leafy greens, micro greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, snake beans and eggplants.

Phosphate Resources Ltd is sharing its experience through a community program in partnership with the Christmas Island school and community groups.

Based on the trial’s yields, PRL is hoping to produce a range of vegetables in the coming year, including Chinese vegetables, herbs and lettuce varieties.

The Cocos Artisans Collective has trialled leafy greens and micro-greens across a range of plant quantities and mediums, to identify what produced the best outcome for the community.

This included processes to provide a continual supply for the market. It is also developing a system and instructions for a home hydroponics system that can be rolled out to the community.

More school kids to be connected to free internet through SSBI

Joint Media Release from the Hon Michelle Rowland, Minister for Communications, and the Hon Andrew Leigh MP, Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury and Assistant Minister for Employment

MEDIA RELEASE | Monday 11 September 2023

The Australian Government’s ongoing rollout of the School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) has connected around 3,000 families with school students across the country to 12 months of free NBN.

As families face ongoing cost of living pressures, the initiative is helping to narrow the digital divide, promote greater inclusion for disadvantaged families and support the education of children – regardless of their circumstances.

Funded through the October 2022-23 Budget, the SSBI identifies eligible families through partnering with nominating organisations who work with vulnerable communities.
 
NBN Co is leading the implementation of the initiative. To be eligible, a family must:

• Have a child living at home that is enrolled in an Australian school in 2023.

• Be referred by a nominating organisation.

• Have no active broadband service over the NBN network.

• Live in a premises where they can access a standard NBN service.

Once a family is found eligible for the SSBI, they are issued with a unique voucher, which can be redeemed with one of the participating internet providers. The one-year of free home internet begins from the day the service is activated.

The initiative can support up to 30,000 families across the country, with more than 20,000 vouchers for free connections issued by NBN Co so far to nominating agencies and eligible families.

To ensure as many families as possible have the chance to benefit, the period in which a family can be nominated for the initiative has been extended to 30 April 2024.

 
For more information on SSBI visit www.infrastructure.gov.au/SSBI

Australian Government | Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program (rPPP)

The Australian Government has launched the new regional Precincts and Partnerships Program with applications now open and the Grant Opportunity Guidelines available.

The program supports transformative investment in regional, rural and remote Australia which will unify regional places, grow economies and serve communities. Unlike traditional grants programs, the rPPP will focus on a partnership approach, bringing together governments and communities to deliver regional precincts that are tailored to local needs and have a shared vision in how that precinct connects to the region.

The rPPP is a grants program that will provide funding through two grant streams to support both the design and development of precincts, and delivery of construction-ready precinct projects. The program is open to state, territory and local government agencies or bodies, regional universities (which may be for-profit), and incorporated not-for-profit organisations. Applications can be accepted at any time throughout the year (i.e. always open).

The program’s guidelines, application portal and the media release can now be accessed via infrastructure.gov.au, GrantConnect and business gov.au.

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts will be facilitating a webinar about the program and its application process at 10:00am to 11:00am AEST on Tuesday 19 September 2023 via Microsoft Teams. Further details for this webinar can be found by clicking the Webinar button below.

Please Note:

The rPPP Stream One guidelines, section 4.2: Additional eligibility requirements (point 5) state that a proposal can only be accepted if the applicant:

• can provide evidence that the following organisations have been contacted to seek their support for the concept of the precinct:

  • the relevant Regional Development Australia (RDA) committee

  • the relevant Traditional Owner/First Nations groups for the area.