RDASI Newsletter - February 2022
A message from the CEO
2022 has commenced with mixed feelings of excitement and trepidation. Omicron has certainly put a dampener on our face-to-face events scheduled for the beginning of the year with our small business month events moving virtual. Phil, our grants officer will be hosting 7 grant writing workshops during March targeted with specific information for each of our LGA’s. Take a look further down this newsletter for registration details.
This week I popped up to Dubbo to support the great work RDA Orana is doing to showcase and encourage development in Inland NSW. Megan Dixon and her team did a fantastic job and ‘The Great Debate’ at dinner was fabulous. Minister Mark Coulton opened the evenings event and after dinner we chatted about some of the challenges our regional youth are facing accessing education, training and jobs.
With the council elections held in most of our LGA’s in December, I’d like to congratulate all the new and returning Councillors to their roles. Yesterday I met with the new Mayor of the Upper Lachlan Shire, Pam Kensit and I’ll be travelling around the rest of the region to meet with all the Mayors over the next few weeks.
Retail and hospitality businesses across the region are telling us this has been the quietest January on record and that the challenge to maintain their workforce while mitigating the covid landscape is overwhelming. I would love to hear from more businesses working through these struggles to provide direct information to the Federal Government on the impacts of this latest covid wave. Please contact me directly on carisa@rdasi.org.au.
RDASI’s now annual International Women’s Day lunch will be held on March 8th, so please keep the date free for our event, celebrating the amazing contributions women make to our regional communities.
RDA Southern Inland Chair Rowena Abbey Named Emeritus Mayor
Congratulations to our Chair, Rowena Abbey who has been named as an Emeritus Mayor. Rowena was awarded the title as ongoing recognition of her service as Mayor, acknowledging her outstanding leadership, service and valuable contribution to the Yass community and to local government.
As a long standing and well respected Councillor from 2004 to 2008, Rowena was re-elected to Council in 2012 and became the first female Mayor of Yass Valley Council, serving the community in this role for a further 9 1/2 years.
Some of Rowena's many achievements during her time on Council include:
Instrumental in obtaining funding for the Barton Highway Duplication
Extension of the Yass Dam Wall and water pipeline to Murrumbateman
New hall for Yass High School
Improvements and upgrades to sporting facilities across the LGA
Commencement of an upgraded water treatment plant
Design of Crago Mill Precinct
Rowena has forged invaluable and respected relationships with both Federal and State politicians and holds the position of not only Chair of RDASI, but also Inaugural Chair the Canberra Region Joint Organisation and Inaugural Chair of the Chairs of NSW Joint Organisations.
Letter of Thanks Received from The Hon Nola Marino MP
RDA Southern Inland were proud to receive a letter of thanks for our short film "For the Love of Ag" from The Hon Nola Marino MP.
"I am encouraged to see that our RDA's have not allowed COVID-19 to get in the way of their work. It is important we continue to promote our regions and the amazing business people who create jobs and support our regional economies," Ms Marino said.
The film was produced with the assistance of our partners Coordinare, Local Land Services NSW, National Farmers' Federation, and NSW Farmers and showcases some of our regions amazing producers.
Missed the film? Head to RDASI website to view!
RDA Southern Inland To Run Free Grants Workshops For Small Business Month
As a part of NSW Small Business Month in March 2022, RDA Southern Inland are conducting a series of seven virtual grants workshops, specific to each LGA within our region.
Funded by the NSW Government, the one-hour workshops are designed to empower small businesses to prepare for, find and apply for grants to turn small business ideas into reality.
By attending the workshops, participants will learn and understand:
How grants operate and how to be business ready to apply for grants
How to identify and select the right grant
How to go prepare project plans and write grant submissions
Who you can consult with locally for support
Building Better Regions Fund
Applications are now open for Round 6 of the Government’s Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF), paving the way for new projects that regional communities deserve to be funded and delivered. The $250 million funding under Round 6 takes the Government’s total investment through the BBRF to $1.38 billion.
Projects will be funded under two streams. The Infrastructure Projects Stream, supporting the construction of new infrastructure, or the upgrade or extension of existing infrastructure and the Community Investments Stream, funding community development activities.
Further funding for Goulburn Performing Arts Centre
Goulburn Performing Arts Centre has been successful in gaining further funding under the NSW Government Creative Capital Fund. The entry laneway, "Meeting Place" foyer and bar will now be possible. In addition a grand piano, further lighting and sound equipment and portable technical gear for performances in outdoor settings and smaller spaces will be purchased, ensuring GPAC will be a flexible and well rounded venue.
Goulburn Performing Arts Centre will be officially opened over a full weekend of festivities on 25th and 26th March 2022. For further information and to purchase tickets to the first shows, visit GPAC here.
TAFE Fee Free* Apprentice and Trainee Opportunities for Business
The Federal Government has provided a $1.2 billion extension to the Boosting Apprenticeships Commencements wage subsidy for new apprentices and trainees.
Under the wage subsidy program, any business that engages an Australian Apprentice between 5 October 2020 and 31 March 2022, may be eligible for a subsidy (50 percent of wages paid to a new or recommencing apprentice or trainee) for a 12-month period, from the date of commencement. With wage subsidies of 50 percent, as well as fee-free* training, now is a great time for you to employ an apprentice or trainee! Click here to learn more.
Natural Disaster Guide for NSW Councils
The Strategic Guide to Planning for Natural Hazards, released last month, will help councils consider potential natural disaster risks in the early stages of the planning process. According to the guide, natural hazards are becoming more frequent and intense in NSW and are costing the government around $3.2 billion a year.
The guide identifies the guiding principles to help communities be more resilient to natural hazards through strategic land-use planning.
View the new guide here.
Events Funding and Tourism Grants
Destination NSW currently have a range of grants and funding available to assist to accelerate NSW's Road to Recovery. Funding opportunities currently on offer include:
NSW Aviation Attraction Fund
NSW Regional Business Event Development Fund
Destination NSW: Regional Event Fund
Cooperative Marketing Program
Tourism Development Product Fund
Tourism Support Package
Destination NSW: Regional Tourism Fund
Destination NSW: Regional Visitor Economy Fund (RVEF)
Tourism Research Australia: Destination Visitor Survey Program (DVS)
Visit Destination NSW here to find out more.
Free Workshops on Tendering for NSW Government Work
The NSW Small Business Commission, in partnership with TAFE NSW are running workshops on Selling to the NSW Government during February and March. These are free online workshops for small businesses wanting to learn how to tender for NSW Government work.
The workshops will help you gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to tender for Government work and can also help businesses in tendering for private sector contracts.
