RDASI Newsletter - September 2021
CEO Report
With day light saving starting last weekend, you can really feel the change in the air. The blooms around the region are spectacular and the tulips in Bowral this year stunning. Spring has to be my favourite time of year and this year October is bringing us more to celebrate with a wrath of restrictions finally eased.
I’m not sure about you, but this year has been tougher than the last. Coming to terms with working from home, home-school, zero social events and separation from family and friends has been difficult. I can’t fathom what it has been like for our unique operators around the region in retail, hospitality, tourism and other non-essential service providers.
We can’t wait to start supporting you again!
There’s certainly been some changes in State Parliament this week and I wish to acknowledge the work of Gladys Berejiklian as our Premier over almost five years. I’d also like to congratulate Dominic Perrotet MP coming into the role as the youngest Premier ever, and Paul Toole MP the new leader of the Nationals and now Deputy Premier.
With all the uncertainty over the past 18 months, RDASI has acknowledged the need for a faster way to access grant and funding support. In partnership with our 7 local councils, we now have a region-focussed grant and funding finder platform for you to use for FREE. The software enables you to register your criteria and it will automatically send you updates when a grant fitting your project becomes available. There are some great tips on the application process and RDASI is also available to provide grant writing expertise. Take a look at the platform HERE, register and contact us if you need additional assistance on grants@rdasi.org.au.
Please know RDASI is here to support you. We’re looking forward to restrictions easing and seeing our local economies recovering once again.
Angus Taylor Appointed as Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction
Angus Taylor, in addition to his responsibilities for Energy and Emissions Reduction, has been appointed to take on the responsibilities of Industry, and be the Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction.
In the Prime Minister's press release on 1 October 2021 announcing the appointment, he stated that "His job here is to ensure the sovereignty of Australia, to ensure our home-grown capabilities in critical supplies is there for the future, building on the Modern Manufacturing Initiative and the important programs right across a suite of areas that we're engaged in." Read the full press release transcript here.
Future Drought Fund's Networks to Build Drought Resilience Grant Program
The second round of the Future Drought Fund’s Networks to Build Drought Resilience grant program is now open.
Funded by the Australian Government and a range of other donor partners, the program focuses on strengthening social connectedness, building social capital and funding transformative local initiatives that will enable agricultural communities to be more prepared for the impacts of drought.
In total, there is $2.9 million available to not-for-profits and community groups to support grassroots projects that help build resilience within local networks and enhance the ability to respond to drought.
The grants can fund community-led initiatives such as events, projects, activities, training and small-scale infrastructure that will strengthen community engagement, networking and preparedness for drought. For example, this could include:
Creating or strengthening networks, such as farmers, young-farmers or women in agriculture;
Training or upskilling in tools and techniques to cope with future climate events;
Addressing mental health and wellbeing; or
Small-scale upgrades to facilities that make it easier to come together.
Applications for this round close 15 November 2021, with funds awarded in late February 2022. Projects need to be completed by the end of August 2022.
To learn more about the program, the types of initiatives the program can support, how to apply, and to download the guidelines, visit the Networks website.
Agrivoltaics: Part of a sustainable city landscape?
Agrivoltaics is essentially a form of farming where the same area of land is used for both solar power and agriculture. The concept was first pioneered in Europe and Asia, and is applied to the use of dedicated dual use technology.
The opportunities of agrivoltaics extend much further than just fields of solar panels providing shelter for livestock, as architect Digby Hall explains in this article that explores its future as part of a sustainable city landscape.
Applications are now open for the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188)
The Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) allows you to own and manage a business in Australia, conduct business and investment activity in Australia or undertake an entrepreneurial activity in Australia. NSW is now accepting direct applications for this visa for the following streams:
To learn more or to apply for NSW nomination for each of these streams, visit NSW website here.
Official Launch of Investment NSW Participation at World Expo in Dubai
Investment NSW invites you to the official launch of its participation at Expo 2020 Dubai. Running from October 2021 to March 2022, the Expo is a unique opportunity to build new export markets, showcasing NSW goods and services to a global audience. Throughout the Expo, Investment NSW will deliver briefings, virtual and physical events, and business matching opportunities aligned with major international exhibitions and conferences, helping generate export opportunities and new customers for NSW business.
Click here for more information and to complete an expression of interest.
2021 Business2580 Goulburn Globes Awards
The Awards evening will feature the announcement of winners across all the Business2580 Award categories. We will also be joined by former Olympian and local business owner Glen Turner, who has recently returned from the Tokyo Olympics.
During the night all attendees will be in with a chance to win some AMAZING prizes – including $5000 in Shop2580 gift cards, Hot Laps vouchers at Wakefield Park and a stunning hanging birdfeeder from Ironworx Australia.
The Discovery Phase of The Sustainable Table Fund
If you’re involved in local food changemaking (and that includes farmers, growers, community leaders, educators and innovators), help the Sustainable Table Fund create the first-ever map of regenerative food systems across Australia by filling out this short form. Plus, it gets you on their funding radar!
If you’re a local food system changemaker, regenerative farmer, community food leader, knowledge keeper or sharer, local grower or innovator - no matter how big or small - you can share your story.
Your responses will help create a nationwide picture of food system happenings (of the positive, regenerative variety), that will be invaluable for making fair, coherent and impactful funding decisions by Sustainable Table into the future.
Visit Sustainable Table Fund to learn more.
Farm Workplace Safety Program Launches
The NSW Government and NSW Farmers have launched a workplace safety program providing education and advice to the agriculture industry to help reduce farm-related death, injury and disease.
The program involves a process of finding where your business currently sits with its WHS framework, and then supports your business in developing an effective WHS program in order to reduce risk for all members of the farm.
The program is designed to work around your business through workshops, online sessions and face to face discussions with our Farm Safety Advisor, Charles Laverty, who will continue to work with you through the process of development.
The program is avaiable to all small to medium farming businesses (less than 50 full time employees) in NSW, locations of workshops and farm visits will be based on demand, with the initial schedule now under development. Please follow the “express interest” tab to register your interest.
This program is a free service to members and non-members of NSW Farmers. Further information can be found here.
