The Albanese Government is committed to delivering a better NBN for Australians and welcomes NBN Co’s proposal to provide highly accelerated speeds for households and small businesses.

Under the proposal, NBN’s three highest speed tiers would see download speeds boosted by up to 5 times at no extra wholesale cost, with the 100/20 NBN product turbo-charged to 500/50 Mbps.
 
Subject to industry consultation and readiness, these speeds would be made available in around 12 months’ time. Based on NBN Co’s well-progressed fibre upgrade program, eligibility will be open to an estimated 9.1 million homes and businesses by December 2024, and up to 10.2 million eligible premises – about 90% of NBN Co’s fixed line network – by December 2025.

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The Albanese Government is ensuring more new Australian homes have mobile coverage, with new telecommunications policy released today.

Under the new rules, all new housing developments of 50 house lots or more should include consideration of mobile coverage during planning processes.

The changes place expectations on developers to actively consider the inclusion of mobile infrastructure in new developments to help ensure residents have access to a reliable mobile service when moving in to a new home. 

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For those who would love to become part of a strong and spirited community, to enjoy that sense of belonging to something worthwhile, then the tiny village of Illabo, population 144, may just provide that very opportunity.

An exciting future is emerging at the Longhorn Hotel within the centre of this small village in south west NSW. Not only is the Hotel now under energetic new management but the community has formed the Illabo Co-Operative Limited to buy the Hotel, store, accommodation, Licenced Post Office and associated land and they are inviting residents, regular visitors, and supporters of the village to join them.

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Individuals, community organisations, and local businesses who have a project, event or great idea for the local community are being invited to apply for funding under Wagga Wagga City Council’s Annual Grants Program. Applications for the 2024/25 program open on Monday 19 February, with a total of $217,450 available across 10 categories: Community Programs and Projects, Recreational and Community Facilities, Neighbourhood and Rural Villages, Rural Halls, Arts, Culture and Creative Industries, Local Heritage, Events, Environment, Youth Programs and Projects and Small Business.

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We’re committed to supporting regional Australia. Our country has had some tough times in recent years, and we want to help rebuild and strengthen regional Australia. One of the best things we are good at is helping people connect.

Last year we introduced Telstra’s Connected Communities Grant Program and we are now looking for nominations for 2024. This program aims to deliver $600,000 in support over three years.

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The Australian Government has released the 2024 State of Australia’s Regions report.

This new report showcases data and insights on key issues and opportunities impacting Australia’s regions – further building the evidence base that supports our commitment to targeted and coordinated regional investment that works better for people and regions.

In line with the Government’s Regional Investment Framework, which emphasises the importance of listening and responding to the voices, knowledge and priorities of regional Australians, the 2024 report focuses on contemporary and pressing issues as identified at the local level

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Collaboration is the key to success for a resource starved not-for-profit sector, says Nina Laitala, lead trainer, Institute of Community Directors Australia.

A concern shared by many NFPs across Australia is a lack of resources, whether it’s funding, time, volunteers, skills, diversity of thought, or experience on the board. This will come as no surprise to anyone working in the sector.

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Griffith has been named among the TOP TEN places to visit in Australia, ranking number seven in the Wotif 2024 Aussie Town of the Year Awards.
Now in its seventh year, the Wotif Aussie Town of the Year Awards recognise 10 deserving locations across the country for their contribution to Australian tourism. Designed to celebrate the many Australian cities, towns and regions worthy of the spotlight, the awards provide travellers with inspiration on where to travel in Australia in 2024.

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A group of Leading Australian Resilient Communities (LARC) graduates from the NSW- Victorian border is taking on a complex issue which threatens their community’s wellbeing.

Through the Bridge the Digital Divide Between Country and City project, the Rivers to the Plains LARC cohort is focusing on digital connectivity, aiming to ensure projects impacting the region allow for access limitations while addressing the region’s expanding digital economy. A group of Leading Australian Resilient Communities (LARC) graduates from the NSW- Victorian border is taking on a complex issue which threatens their community’s wellbeing.

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The Albanese Government is delivering more cars that are cheaper to run, giving motorists choice by introducing a New Vehicle Efficiency Standard for Australia. The Albanese Government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard will push car makers to give Australian motorists more choices of new cars, utes and vans that use less fuel and that have until now only been available to buyers in overseas markets.

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Yanco Creek and Tributaries Advisory Council Inc. (YACTAC) are excited to announce a CHICKS IN THE STICKS event is landing in Jerilderie on Sunday 17th March 2024. This project is supported by Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR). Key elements of the day will be a casual pre-gathering on the banks of Lake Jerilderie, before heading to the networking luncheon in the Civic Centre.

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Regional Development Australia Riverina is delighted to share that our Board Director and Chair Dianna Somerville has been selected as a member of the NSW Government Regional Development Advisory Council. This Council has been tasked to provide independent advice to the NSW Government and Minister on regional investment and economic development. Dianna has been nominated as a suitable appointee by the Australian Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, the Hon Kristy McBain MP.

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Communities across the country will be able to enjoy unique Australian art and storytelling as part of the Albanese Labor Government’s Visions of Australia program.

More than $1.3 million in funding will be shared amongst nine projects to support the development and touring of exhibitions, with a particular focus on venues in regional and remote Australia.

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The Communities in Control autumn season will present a range of leaders from the community sector and beyond to discuss the future of leadership. We’ll consider the way we work and live, how we might think differently to avoid burnout, what Gen Z looks like in the workforce (and how we can work with them – and they with us – to achieve the best results), and how we can break out of the echo chamber and spread our message far and wide.

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Council is facilitating the development of a new Community Strategic Plan (CSP) which is the highest-level plan that a Council will prepare. Our CSP will be known as “Wagga Wagga 2050”.  All of our community are being asked to share their views, thoughts, aspirations, and visions for the future of the City of Wagga Wagga and its surrounding villages.

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Support for landowners, their families, tenants, and directly affected parties impacted by property access and acquisition.

The property acquisition process can be emotional and stressful. EnergyCo takes the wellbeing and mental health of landowners and affected parties seriously.

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Telstra will be upgrading its mobile base station located at Galore Hill by adding additional infrastructure to bring better 4G & 5G services to the surrounding community, but the works will require a series of temporary outages or reduction in mobile coverage.

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Are you a local community group, school, sporting club or First Nations group? Do you want a grant of up to $1,000 to support your projects and plans? Apply now for our 2024 CUP Grant Program!

Grants are available in all Charles Sturt University regional communities, including Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange, Port Macquarie, Wangaratta, Wagga Wagga and surrounds.

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The Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) Small & Vital stream gives small remote, rural and regional communities across Australia the opportunity to access funds for a broad range of initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities.

Grants up to $10,000 are available for a broad range of grassroots, community-led initiatives that directly and clearly benefit local communities that strengthen local people, places and climate solutions.

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Localise You, a pioneering community integration service, has captured the attention and support of industry and government organisations alike, with endorsements from prominent players such as the SunRice Group in Leeton. This innovative platform is dedicated to connecting professionals from diverse backgrounds and regions, fostering a stronger sense of community awareness and inclusion.

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