RDASI Newsletter - May 2021
A message from our CEO
With April ending, another month has quickly flown by. It’s hard to believe we are just one month away from charging through half of 2021.
Last month RDA Southern Inland had the pleasure of meeting new and previous attendees at our Connect events in the Southern Highlands, Goulburn and Yass Valley. We heard from up and coming and inspiring businesses, pitching their ideas and business concepts. These events have been created by the business community for business and we continue to hold these Regional Connect events to boost local B2B networking while providing information and support to help SME’s thrive.
We know that many employers are crying out for skilled staff and so I continue to participate in two important future workforce collaborations, the Local Jobs Program and the South East Skills, Training and Workforce Sub-Committee. These groups are working tirelessly to create and dispense localised programs to improve training pathways across several key sectors.
Additionally, I was lucky enough to have dinner with the Minister for Education and Early Childhood, The Hon Sarah Mitchell on 19th of April. Ms Mitchell certainly understood her portfolio having two young children and she was a wealth of knowledge of the challenges facing families and teachers alike.
Then, the following morning I was asked to represent the Southern Highlands small business community to discuss their concerns on the blockages to success in that region with Chris Lamont the Small Business Commissioner. Chris was highly engaged and with the Administrator of the Wingecarribee Shire Council being in the room I am happy to report that it felt like our issues were being heard.
We’re excited to be welcoming Food in the Capital back for its second segment of its 3-part series. This is a unique opportunity for attendees to be part of the conversation to help shape the region’s food future. Day 1 commences with a Conference component, an exciting exploration of urban and regional farming, logistics and social enterprises, and ends with a Gala Dinner with the Chief Minister attending. Day 2 was the opportunity to see food in action, with the choice of either a rural or peri-urban food-tour, showcasing local producers in the Canberra and Southern Inland regions.
Manufacturing Industry Networking Event
RDASI and AusIndustry collaborated on the staging of a manufacturing industry networking event. The event was open to manufacturing industry representatives from the Goulburn-Mulwaree area. Attendees found out about the grant funding available for the Manufacturing sector, heard from a local company that had taken advantage of the funding, and met those who can support manufacturing businesses in terms of both funding and other forms of assistance.
Extension of construction deadlines under HomeBuilder Program
On Saturday, the Treasurer announced that the Commonwealth is extending the construction commencement requirement for the successful HomeBuilder program from six months to 18 months for all existing applicants. All applicants who signed contracts during the HomeBuilder eligibility period between 4 June 2020 and 31 March 2021 will have this extension applied to them. This is expected to bring the total level of expected Government support for the construction sector under the program to $2.5 billion.
Improved Digital Connectivity for the Region
People living and working in the Cootamundra-Gundagai, Hilltops and Snowy Valleys Local Government Areas (LGA) can now look forward to new and improved telecommunications services thanks to the Federal Government’s Regional Connectivity Program (RCP).
NSW Regional Business Event Development Fund
The NSW Regional Business Event Development Fund has been extended with another $500,000 added to the fund! This is designed to help stakeholders create, attract and support exciting business events for regional NSW and to support new business event initiatives aimed at enriching the events with opportunities offered by iconic towns and regions while helping secure successful conferences and events for their future. Read more.
Food in the Capital is Back!
This exciting 2 day event series will bring an exciting exploration of urban and regional farming, logistics and social enterprises. Ticket holders will also get the opportunity to see food in action, with their choice of either a rural or peri-urban tour showcasing local producers in the Canberra region.
In memory of our late Board Member Terry Oakes-Ash OAM
Vale Terry Oakes-Ash. Thank you for your passionate contributions to regional development and our organisation. There’s no one like you. You will be surely missed.
