Direct Solar Buying for Business

A forum was held in Griffith on the 20th of June to discuss Power Purchase Agreements with solar providers. These PPAs are an opportunity for businesses to buy power direct from the provider. 

If this may be of interest to your business, please look at the presentations below or contact Klaus Baumgartel for more information at klausb@icnnsw.org.au

Presentations:

• Rachel Hayden (NSW Department of Planning & Environment) - Opportunities for Large-Scale solar in NSW
• Anita Stadler, (Associate, Energetics) - Market Update and Corporate Power Purchase Agreement Approaches
• Angus (Renew Estate) - Solar Farm at Bomen
• Stephan Au (Senior Business Development Lead, Flow Power) - A Better Way to Buy Power With Flow Power
• Grant Harris (Head of Business Development and Strategy, RES) - Solar Farms at Deniliquin and Narandera
• Andrew Wilkinson (Development Manager, IB VOGT) - Solar Farms at Temora and Yanco
• Lindsay Gullifer (De Bortolli Wines) - Large User Perspective

Griffith Mayor, Cr John Dal Broi welcomes everyone to the event

Rachel Hayden - NSW Department of Planning and Environment

Angus - Renew Estate

Workforce Futures Development Officer Forum

Development Officer is a broad term and can include attendees such as community & economic development officers from local government, government departments and agencies, business/industry representatives (arts, culture, tourism, health, education, environment), regional organisations, NGO's and community members.

The Workforce Futures DO Forum provided an opportunity for these groups and organisations to promote programs, services and funding. There was a variety of presentations which can be accessed below.

Presentations:

• Ivan Neville (Branch Manager, Department of Jobs and Small Business) - Riverina Labour Market
• Hayley Achurch (Senior Research Assistant RAI) - Making the Trend Your Friend
• Phil Harding (Manager Tourism & Economic Development, Griffith City Council) - Griffith Overview
• Richard West (Director, Griffith Feed and Grain) - Case study

Taste Riverina: New Year-Round Format

Visitors and locals can now enjoy the best of Riverina produce any time of year with Taste Riverina being transformed into a 12-month calendar of food and wine events across the region. Formerly a month-long festival in October only, the new year-round format kicked off on Sunday 8th April at the Piccolo Family Farm’s Autumn Festival. The event featured locally sourced food including organic rice, locally made salami and smoked meats, as well as local Murray Cod and cheese from Coolamon. Even the entertainment was homegrown with the soulful Ben Ceccato, local legends Malikah and the smooth Zac Robertson Band.

“Taste Riverina has been so successful that we’ve decided to extend it to a year-round celebration of the region’s remarkable produce. This opens the doors for seasonal events and experiences at any time of the year,” said Mr Craig Sinclair, Chair of the Taste Riverina committee.

“This exciting development means that operators and organisations across the Riverina that want to be included in the Taste Riverina calendar can register their event now or at any time that suits them,” said Mr Sinclair.

“The one thing that remains the same is our commitment to Riverina grown and made produce. Wherever you see the Taste Riverina logo, you can be assured that the event serves local produce almost exclusively,” said Mr Sinclair.

Over the past three years, the award-winning Taste Riverina Festival has brought a total of 110,673 visitors and $4.57 million in revenue to the Riverina, during October. 

Regional Development Australia - Riverina is calling for expressions of interest from young people residing in RDA Riverina rural communities to attend

Destination Riverina Murray NSW Event Development Workshops

Destination Riverina Murray has partnered with regional tourism and marketing consultant Krista Hauritz to deliver workshops in Griffith, Wagga and Albury. This series of Event Development Workshops is designed to expand the knowledge and skills of event owners and organising committees in the Riverina Murray.
RDA-Riverina is proud to announce its support for the 2018 Event Development Program and is now calling for expressions of interest from young people working and residing in RDA Riverina region aged 18 – 35yrs to be involved in this year’s event.
Eligible RDA Riverina Local Government Areas are:
Bland, Carrathool, Coolamon, Griffith, Cootamundra Gundagai,Hay, Junee, Leeton, Lockhart, Murrumbidgee, Narrandera, Snowy Valleys, Temora, and Wagga Wagga.
RDA-Riverina is a strong advocate for youth leadership. This year RDA-Riverina is offering to sponsor four delegates in total – 2 delegates to attend the 2018 Event Development Workshop held in Griffith and 2 delegates to attend workshop in Wagga.
This program is designed to provide you with the skills required to:

• Develop a business and strategic plan
• Successfully apply for grants and funding
• Become an expert on cost effective event marketing
• Measure event impact and success

 
The RDA-Riverina offer will cover:

• workshop registration fees
• travel expenses (ATO reimbursement rate/km)
• accommodation

For more information about 2018 Event Development Workshops

RDA-Riverina Profile

With a focus on facilitating the growth and prosperity of the region, RDA Riverina has produced a Regional Profile to help local government, industry, small business and community groups better understand the region in which they operate.

The Regional Profile includes population, demographic, employment, industry, tourism and housing information presented in an easy-to-read format.

As RDA Riverina Director of Regional Development and CEO Rachel Whiting explains, the Regional Profile was compiled from a range of sources including REMPLAN, ABS Census data, .id Forecast and Destination NSW.

“RDA Riverina sees enormous value in supplying up-to-date information for local government, industry, business and community groups to enable them to better understand the region they work in and for use in business planning, tenders, grant applications, proposals and capability statements. 

“This information will also assist regional entrepreneurs and emerging business leaders to explore new opportunities to grow local jobs in the region by focusing on their competitive advantage.”

The Report includes statistics such as:

• Population forecast: the region’s population is expected to grow by 14.5% from 2018, reaching 187,500 by 2036
• Industry information: the total output generated by the Riverina’s economy in 2016 was estimated at $21.678 billion, with Manufacturing and Agriculture, Forestry & Fishing the two key drivers of the economy
• Tourism data: visitor numbers increased by 12.1% in 2016-17, with visitor expenditure increasing by 11.4% to $661 million

Member for Riverina Michael McCormack said the Regional Profile provides a single point for people to easily access important information.

“The statistics collated by RDA Riverina give organisations and businesses in the region vital knowledge to apply best-practice solutions to localised issues," Mr McCormack said.

“I commend the work the RDA Riverina team does to help better understand the part of the world in which we live.”

While the Regional Report provides a snapshot, RDA Riverina can also provide more specialised data for individual entities on a fee-for-service basis, such as investment impact analysis, cementing its value as the go-place for regional data and investment information.

Horticulture Skills Study

In early 2017, through RDA Riverina’s relationships with the local horticulture industry, we became aware of a skills shortage. Growers expressed difficulty in finding skilled staff after advertising widely. Affected horticulture industries in the Riverina include irrigated crops of citrus, tree nuts, vegetables, stone fruit, wine grapes and the cooler climate apple industry.

With the Riverina region producing: 

• One third NSW fruit and nuts - $271 million 
• One third NSW vegetables - $141 million 
• Half NSW wine grape production - $81 million 

This skills issue has had an enormous impact and will continue to impact on economic development in the Riverina and as well as NSW if solutions are not found.

RDA Riverina’s Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 187 visa) (RSMS) enables regional employers to sponsor overseas skilled workers and employ them in skilled positions that cannot be filled using the local labour market. We found that the horticulture industry was using RSMS at a higher rate than before. RDA Riverina sought funding from the NSW Government to conduct a study to establish and validate the extent of the issue and formulate policy responses to address these skills shortages. This formed part of a broader study across NSW of skills needs. In June 2017, RDA Riverina engaged RMCG to lead this investigation.

Country Change

Looking for a tree change? Country Change can help you make the move to the Riverina and Murray regions.

Providing information on career and business opportunities, affordable housing, tourism, infrastructure and the like, the Country Change website is your portal for change.

Country Change is made up of a collection of communities or Local Government Areas (LGAs) that are working together to promote the wonderful opportunities on offer by relocating to the country. The Country Change project is under the auspices of RDA-Riverina and exists purely to help you make the move to the Riverina and Murray, not to make a profit.

Want to make the move to the Riverina and Murray? Visit the Country Change website for further information.

Grant Writing Workshops

RDA-Riverina offers grant writing workshops to community groups and individuals across the Riverina region throughout the year to provide advice and tips on how to produce a high-quality grant application.

The popular workshops assist participants with their writing skills, provide advice on how to locate relevant grants, share the importance of producing a comprehensive application and why you need to have a plan of attack. 

Want to brush up on your grant writing skills or learn new ones? Visit the Upcoming Events page to find a workshop in your area. or contact Marg Couch

Finance and New Technologies to Improve Energy Productivity

The Finance and New Technologies to improve Energy Productivity Industry Workshop was held at the E3 workshop space at the Wagga Wagga City Art Gallery. Thanks to all the speakers and partners including Industry Capability Network, City of Wagga Wagga, NSW Office of Environment and Heritage ABC Riverina Business NSW WIN News Riverina.

• CBA EEEF Client Pres MGray Powerpoint Presentation
• Wagga Industry Workshop Powerpoint Presentation
• Wagga Wagga ESS presentation Kylie OEH
• Duncan - CCM Energy Solutions - OEH Seminar Too Large
• Jeremy - Gas activities in ESS - Powerpoint Presentation
• Verdia Intro EE Wagga Matt Smiley

Riverina Development Officer (RDO) Network Forums

RDA-Riverina hosts three Riverina Development Officer (RDO) Network Forums each year, bringing together development officers from across the Riverina region.

Development Officer is a broad term and can include attendees such as community & economic development officers from local government, government departments and agencies, business/industry representatives (arts, culture, tourism, health, education, environment), regional organisations, NGO's and community members.

The Forums provide an opportunity for these groups and organisations to promote programs, services and funding. There is always a presentation from a Council representative highlighting activities within that particular Local Government Area where the forum is being hosted. The forums also showcase community projects and provide time for networking, collaboration and a partnership approach to addressing the opportunities and challenges facing the communities across the region.

Please see the Upcoming Events page to see the agendas & presentations from previous RDO Network Forums.

West Wyalong Presentations:

- Agenda
- Framework for Regional Development
- Deloittes: Purpose of Place
- CSIRO SME Connect
- Majors Mulch

Contact for inquiries: RDA Riverina Project Officer, Marg Couch

Riverina Regional Business Accelerator Program

Businesses that invest in their futures grow and create new, sustainable jobs. 

How does business find the support it needs to grow?

Click here for full flyer. 

Riverina Top Plates

RIVERINA TOP PLATES is an RDA Riverina initiative for TASTE Riverina Food Festival. It is also an eat local campaign to be launched online in September 2016 to coincide with Riverina’s flagship event TASTE Riverina Festival.

The concept is designed to attract visitors ravenous for new culinary tourism experiences to the door of Riverina food retailers who serve or sell Riverina grown or produced food during the month of October. This encouragesa rigorous regional food economy. Those who agree to the criteria for participation will have their regional signature menu included on www.tasteriverina.com.au

Click here for more information

Contact for inquiries: RDA Riverina Project Officer, Marg Couch

Grow Our Own

[ WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR REGION TO]

• Retain young people?

• Develop workplace skills at higher levels?

• Enable employers to support young people?

• Maintain sustainable economic growth?

  GROW OUR OWN

Grow Our Own is an industry led and RDA Riverina coordinated network that connects everyone working in the western Riverina workforce development, education, and training sector.

The Grow Our Own partnership has been successful in establishing a recognisable brand that advocates for workforce issues, connects people and business and develops and supports learning pathways into local careers with the view of encouraging people to live, learn and earn locally. The program connects and integrates business, industry, education, and employment sectors.

growourown.org.au

Grow Our Own aims to encourage people to build a career while living locally and to encourage local business to invest in local people employment, training, mentoring and motivation for sustainability and future expansion.

The industry led steering committee provides the direction with the support of stakeholders to :

• Foster an integrated approach across education, business, government, and community for careers education & planning.

• Explore ways to assist cultural groups to achieve their educational aspiration.

• Enable integrated workforce planning for industry and pathway information to reach students and families in time for annual decision making.

• Build local awareness of local pathways into growth industries (and pathways support such as scholarships, Work Integrated Learning, and cadetships.

• Increase alignment between education provision and local industry need.

• Maintain a solid regional education and industry network that is collaborative, progressive, and responsive to the changing industry needs of the region.

Contact for inquiries:
Marg Couch: po@rdariverina.org.au
RDA Riverina Senior Project Officer

Steering Committee

Supporters

Softwood Plantation Expansion - Business Case

This project funded under the Energise Enterprise Fund supports the development of a business case to identify the financial and economic returns in establishing softwood plantations which support the expansion and growth of timber processing facilities.

The timber industry across the south west slopes of NSW (Tumut, Gundagai, Tumbarumba, Greater Hume, Albury and Wagga LGA's) is a significant component of the regional economy, is valued at approximately $970 million/year and supports a regional workforce of approximately 5000 employees.

 It is of critical importance that a plan of potential action be developed to provide a coordinated and pragmatic approach to ensure regional growth and prosperity and the creation of new jobs

For more information contact: RDA Riverina Chief Executive Officer Rachel Whiting

Review of current industry, regional and farm workforce development activities and human resource practices on farms

Prepared by Dr Jennifer Moffatt and Associate Professor Ruth Nettle, The University of Melbourne

Funded by - Cotton Research and Development Corporation

RDA Riverina is committed to ensuring the economic sustainability of the Riverina Region. Industries need to ensure access to a skilled and reliable workforce for continued economic growth. Additional employee education and training is also critical to continued capacity building and long term viability.

RDA Riverina supports various projects across the Riverina and has recently been a co sponsor of the “Riverina agriculture workforce: finding, training and retaining” workshop in Griffith. This workshop was facilitated by the University of Melbourne as part of their review into regional and farm workforce development activities for the Cotton Industry.

To view the Review of current industry, regional and farm workforce development activities and human resource practices on farms please click here.

Careers in Agriculture

RDA Riverina has developed a series of videos which promote the diversity in Agricultural careers.

Agronomist and Fish Farmer Matt Ryan

Ag Science Student Eliza Star

Communications Liz Stott

Baiada

Chef Luke Kerlin

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The Rural Career Guide- A new and comprehensive industry resource-
19 May 2014

Rural Skills Australia announces the launch of the new web-based Rural Career Guide, designed to consolidate and advance the breadth of available information about the prospects for a fulfilling career in one of dozens of Australia’s flourishing rural industries.  “The Rural Career Guide is a comprehensive new product and it has far wider scope and reach than anything previously produced in Australia.”

The guide covers career pathways in some 40 separate rural industries, from mainstream agricultural industries like beef, sheep and grain production to horticulture, land management and animal care and management.  It also highlights the many related rural careers, in thoroughbred, harness and greyhound racing, aquaculture, environment and conservation and forest and wood products.  The Rural Career Guide is a result of considerable research over several years and has been produced with support from the Australian Governments’ Australian Apprenticeships Advisers program. 

Food I am Receives Government Funding

Wagga Wagga based agri-tourism enterprise Food I Am was announced as a recipient of the Australian Government Tourism Industry Regional Development Fund (TIRF) Grants funding in 2013.

The funding will allow Food I Am to construct the Food I Am Headquarters in Wagga Wagga, providing facilities for hands-on classes, demonstrations and meeting rooms. Modern contemporary facilities will be built to assist in the enterprises aims of supporting regional producers and providing quality food experiences.

As part of the TIRF Grants application, RDA-Riverina provided Food I Am with a letter of support. The aims of the grants were to boost the quality of tourism visitor experiences in regional areas and Food I Am demonstrated this on a number of levels. RDA-Riverina is a strong supporter of innovative projects and initiatives in the region and encourages organisations to apply for grant programs which may assist in achieving this.  

Learn more about what Food I Am has to offer.

Food Futures Forum 2013

RDA Riverina hosted two Food Futures Forums in July this year. The first on Wednesday, July 10 was held in Griffith at  Westend Estate attracted 69 attendees.

The second was held on Thursday, July 11 in Wagga Wagga at the Country Club with 70 attendees.

The two days event culminated in the Riverina Grown Regional Dinner held on the Thursday night at the Wagga Country Club.

Chaired by Rose Wright of Knowledge Transfer Services, Rose was also a Key Note Speaker across the two days.

The event was supported by Griffith City Council, Wagga Wagga City Council, ABC Riverina, NSW Trade and Investment, Riverina Regional Tourism, TAFE Riverina Institute and the EH Graham Centre.

Speakers covered a range of topics including:

• The Future of Agriculture in a Changing Market
• Consumer Trends What Drives Purchasing Decisions
• Coss Sectorial Collaboration-Leverageing the Visitor Economy

Presentations from local producers was a highlight of the two day regional event. To view interviews from local producers please visit

Riverina Youth Mental Health Forums

RDA-Riverina is working alongside Rising Generations to conduct a number of Youth Mental Health Forums across the Riverina.

The Forums involve inviting young people from regional high schools, youth services, faith based groups, refuges and community groups from across the Riverina to identify and discuss the major issues with Mental Health facing young people.

Gaining insight directly from young people into the gaps in service provision in the school system and community has helped in fostering resilience, leadership and strategies to address Mental Health issues for our young people. The overall aims of the programs are to develop leaders who realise their own potential to serve others and make a difference in their school and community. It is hoped that through these leaders, vibrant and positive school and work communities can be created which will further encourage and empower the youth of the Riverina.

RDA-Riverina has been a major supporter for this program by funding the project through a government grant. 

2013 National Rural Women’s Conference

As part of an ongoing commitment to youth leadership across the Riverina, RDA-Riverina announced its support for the 2013 National Rural Women’s Conference and sponsored three young women to attend the inaugural conference.

The NRWC was held 18 – 20 February 2013 in Canberra and featured more than 30 exceptional presenters who shared their experiences of business, community, rural issues and the joys and challenges of rural life. 380 women from across the country attended the conference, with more than 35 representatives from the Riverina region.

RDA-Riverina offers a number of youth-focused sponsorship opportunities throughout the year and encourages youth with a passion for improving and contributing to their communities to apply.

Visit Media Releases to learn more about the young women who attended the conference.