RDASI Newsletter - August 2022
CEO Report August 2022
The months are rushing past now and we can certainly feel the intensity of the end of year encroaching quickly. The weather has been a little crazy lately, but scattered amongst the rain, hail, wind and cold, there’s been glimpses of clear blue skies and even a touch of Spring.
With the change in Federal Government in May, we have been anxiously awaiting the announcement of who would be appointed as the RDAs lead Minister. We are so proud and excited that one of our very own local federal Members, The Hon Kristy McBain MP, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories has been assigned RDA responsibility.
“I am incredibly honoured and humbled to have been appointed Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories and to have the responsibility for our Regional Development Australia (RDA) Committees program. I am deeply passionate about my portfolio, having been born in regional Victoria and now living in regional New South Wales. I have a strong and personal drive to ensure our regions are the best they can be.”
Minister McBain is the former Mayor of Bega Valley and has been the Member for Eden-Monaro since 2020. We have hosted Minister McBain as a panel speaker at our International Women’s Day event in 2021 and have a positive working relationship with her team. I wish to congratulate Minister McBain and look forward to working with her closely within her new role.
As always there’s been a lot going on at RDASI over the past month and we’re just so glad to have our new recruit onboard. Suzie has hit the ground running and she’s busy organising a stellar program of events for the end of the year. Celebrating Ag Day has become synonymous with RDASI and this year we are intending to hold our biggest event yet. With the assistance of an expert steering committee, we are planning a conference and gala dinner focused on Innovative Ag.
Recently the CSIRO released their once in a decade report on the global megatrends that will shape our world. Climate, the geopolitical landscape, health, AI, digital solutions and human capacity all featured. The intention of the document is to assist policy creators consider the long-term trends within their decision-making processes. If you would like to read the full report, you can access it HERE. At RDASI we keep an eye on global and national issues, but our focus is on local challenges and co-creating solutions in collaboration with our regional stakeholders to address them.
Our RDASI website has had another improvement integrated into it with the addition of publicly available data software. What you see on the website is really just the tip of the programs capacity so please contact us if you are looking for robust regional data.
Workforce shortages are continuing to affect our local businesses across various industries. We have been focused on supporting the hospitality and care sectors recently as active contributors in recent Wingecarribee Shire roundtables to developed strategies and actions to help with the critical labour force issues. Grow Our Own is becoming an important component to that work, and Melissa from our team is working tirelessly engaging with multiple stakeholders to achieve positive results for our region.
Unfortunately, there’s been a delay on the new contract for our Skilled Regional Visa program, however we’re being assured that the agreement will be with us soon and the programs will open again shortly. Please continue to check our RDASI website for updates.
RDASI proudly sponsored the Goulburn Chamber of Commerce business awards which were held on Friday 5 August. We were very happy to see our bookkeeper, Robyn Burgin and her business Town and Country Business Solutions nominated for an award. A massive congratulations goes to the Goulburn Chamber for holding such a wonderful event with over 200 guests in attendance. Congratulations must also go to the various winners of the awards. Small businesses are literally the economic backbone of our communities and supporting them is paramount to maintaining the strong regional communities we hold so dear.
RDASI is committed to assisting the growth and development of regional NSW. Please get in contact if you need our support.
Regional Local Newspaper Publishers Program are now open
The Australian Government will provide $15 million (ex GST) in grants to eligible local and regional newspaper publishers to help absorb newsprint price increases which threaten the sustainability of local newspapers.
Grant funding is available through two funding streams:
Stream 1: $10 million for Regional Print Publishers, which produce core news content in regional markets, to be apportioned using a grant funding allocation formula based on their proportion of certified print costs compared to the total combined certified print costs of eligible Stream 1 applicants.
Stream 2: $5 million for independent suburban, First Nations and multicultural publishers, which produce core news content, to be apportioned using a grant funding allocation formula based on their proportion of certified printing costs compared to the total combined certified printing costs of eligible Stream 2 applicants.
Publications can use grant funding to cover:
printing costs during the Grant period
purchase or lease of assets and equipment, including paper, and equipment directly related to printing
the costs of acquiring technology to assist with printing
salaries for employees that are directly connected to the printing of core news content other costs that directly support the printing of core news content.
Applications close: 5:00PM (AEST) Friday 19 August 2022
Jindabyne Connect
Jindabyne Chamber of Commerce presents JINDABYNE CONNECT, an opportunity to join together for business networking of Jindabyne businesses.
Join the Jindabyne Chamber for Drinks and a Networking Event for Jindabyne Businesses including representatives from Local Organisations and Regional NSW.
Held every 4th Thursday of the month, in 2022 at the Jindabyne Bowling Club, 2 Bay St, Jindabyne in the downstairs function room.
Including drinks, the Jindabyne Chamber welcomes you to participate. Jindabyne Chamber Members enjoy free entry, non-members tickets are $10 each. Please purchase your ticket and/or register via the Eventbrite App.
DataAU
RDASI now has a subscription to DataAu providing access to extensive reports on economic comparisons and socio-demographic data across our regions.
Please have a look at our website for some updated strategic insights within our 7 LGA's. If you require more detailed information or targeted data for either your grant or tender application, please contact our team.
RDA Southern Inland Launches Jobseeker Excursions
We are excited to be facilitating two jobseeker workplace excursions in Goulburn in the coming weeks. The first visit is Warrigal Care on 29th August and second is Tribe Breweries on 7th September. Both visits run 10am to 2pm, are free for participants and include facility tours, interactive activities and the opportunity to speak with employees to learn about the range of careers available. Lunch will also be provided.
Interested individuals are encouraged to register via their employment service provider or directly with RDASI at workforce@rdasi.org.au or (02) 4822 6397. Enquiries from businesses looking to host a jobseeker group are also welcome.
Are you a Business Looking to Sponsor Migrants?
The Department of Home Affairs NSW/ACT Business Industry and Regional Outreach team will be holding several free online Regional Skilled visa information sessions in August.
Learn about skilled visa options for your business.
Regional Skilled Visa information sessions
Thursday 11 August 10.30am - Registration
Monday 15 August 10.30am - Registration
Please click on one of the locations above to register your interest for one of the sessions.
UTS Engineering Students Looking for Industry Placements
UTS Faculty of Engineering is holding an information session for businesses interested in hosting 2nd and 4th year Mechanical Engineering students for six month work placements. The session will be held at UTS in Ultimo on 23rd August 2022. To register your attendance click here.
INTERESTED IN HOSTING ENGINEERING STUDENTS FROM OTHER DISCIPLINES?
UTS is seeking to partner with industries interested in hosting students for six month placements in other engineering disciplines. For further information, please contact RDASI's Workforce Development & Projects Officer at workforce@rdasi.org.au or (02) 4822 6397.
FREE Workshop: How to Supervise your Apprentice or Trainee
The Department of Education & Training are offering a free workshops in our region! The following date is available: 25 October 2022 - Queanbeyan. The workshop runs from 9am - 1pm and you will learn how to help your apprentice or trainee complete their training by learning how to:
• effectively supervise and ‘coach’ apprentices and trainees
• understand the importance of effective communication in the workplace
• understand the relationship with the training provider – arranging training that works for you and your business
• address workplace bullying and harassment issues.
