RDASI Newsletter - December 2022
CEO Report
Wow… did that year fly past us or was it just me? With the ongoing weather wars and covid still hanging over our heads it seems smooth sailing into the new year is just not going to happen. It’s been great to see some much needed sunshine across the region this last weekend and so I hope you made the most of it.
Reflecting on the year that’s been, we need to be grateful for the opportunities Regional NSW abounds. With incredible community-minded people, beautiful open spaces, vast infrastructure investments, employment options like never before and a wealth of experiences and adventures to explore, we literally live in the best place on earth.
RDASI has been incredibly busy this year and planning for next year looks like it's going to be even more jam-packed. With a full schedule of events locked into the calendar, potential new projects coming to fruition and more staff to recruit, we are in for another bonza year.
Passion, trust, honesty, great communication and good old-fashioned hard work have brought RDASI this far. We are intent on gaining a greater reach next year and our first step towards that is partnering with Cooma Chamber to bring our informative Regional Connect events to their region in February.
On December 9th I’m looking forward to judging the QPRC Rise participant's pitch session and am also pleased to report that RDASI has been accepted to participate in the Community Advisory Group (CAG) during the delivery phase of the Snowy Special Activation Precinct, with its first meeting being held on December 14th.
Christmas in the Highlands has taken on a whole new meaning and the Festival of Lights is providing an array of events throughout the month of December. Held in Corbett Gardens, where the famous Tulip Time has just bumped out, the gardens have been transformed into a Christmas wonderland, filled with incredible light installations. A must-visit for families!
None of what we accomplish would be possible without our AMAZING team and with the support of our Board, we are looking forward to hitting even more milestones during 2023. I’d like to thank them for all the extraordinary work they produce, with a minimum budget and for trusting me as a leader to grow and develop the organisation. I feel very blessed to love my work!
We wish you all a wonderful Holiday season and we will connect with you again in February 2023.
Carisa Wells
Small Business Month Event: Wellness Retreat - Stress to Resilience Workshop
RDASI collaborated with AtOne and Snowy Monaro Regional Council by putting together a Wellness Retreat held in the Snowies at The Range in Berridale.
The rain stayed away and the sun shined, we met the alpacas, the catering was delicious and the whole day was well received by everyone who attended. It was a fantastic group of people and a great day for networking and meeting similar-minded people from a broad range of businesses in the Snowies.
We practiced and learnt about meditation, sound healing, yoga, emotional freedom technique (EFT) and guided visualisation techniques, just to name a few.
Here are some of our participants testimonials about the day:
"Meeting other women, relaxing, sharing contacts"
"Interacting with other participants, learning about all their careers, small businesses and creative pursuits"
"A very eventful day connecting with the attendees whilst learning & relaxing"
The wellness retreat was proudly funded by NSW Government - Small Business Commissioner.
Vision and Action Plan 2023-2025 for Regional Communities
On the 29th November, the Department of Regional NSW rolled out their Vision and Action Plan 2023-2025 for Regional Communities - Making regional NSW an even better place to live.
VISION TO ENSURE REGIONAL NSW REMAINS BEST PLACE TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY
Investment in housing, growing and upskilling the health workforce, ensuring access to quality learning at every stage of life and improving transport and digital connectivity will be key focuses of the NSW Government’s new vision for the regions.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole today unveiled Our Vision for Regional Communities - a new strategy to ensure regional NSW remains the best place to live, work, play and raise a family.
“This is a vision for the regional NSW we are building with our local communities, backed by real actions we know will make a real difference to people’s everyday lives,” Mr Toole said.
“Over the past decade, we’ve invested billions in the infrastructure our regions need and in growing regional economies.
“This vision shows how we’ll build on that foundation and ensure regional communities have access to the education and health services they deserve and attract the workforce we need to deliver those services. “It will ensure families can find a home by tackling housing pressures and deliver the infrastructure and services they need in their local community.”
Click here for the full media release
For more information about Regional NSW's Vision and Action Plan, click here.
AusIndustry Introduction
RDASI would like to introduce John Lynch from AusIndustry.
John is the Strengthening Business Facilitator for the Entrepreneurs’ Programme, an Australian Government program delivered by AusIndustry.
John's region is Wollondilly and Wingecarribee Shires. Before AusIndustry, John's experience has been working in the Vocational Education and Training sector for over 20 years including (GTO) Group Training Organisations and (RTO) Registered Training Organisations. He has extensive experience in Hospitality, Business Development, Human Resources and Work Health and Safety.
The Entrepreneurs’ Programme also provides businesses with access to advice from a national network of over 170 industry experts.
Click here for more information.
Strengthening Business supports businesses impacted by the 2019–20 Black Summer bushfires and recent flood emergencies rebuild, transform and adapt following these crises and resulting changes in their local marketplace.
Strengthening Business is provided at no cost.
Click here for more information.
Albanese Government delivers better connectivity for farmers and regional Australia
The Albanese Government has delivered a significant connectivity boost for Australian farmers, and rural and regional communities across Australia in its 2022-23 Federal Budget with dedicated funding to support greater on-farm connectivity and expanding the Regional Tech Hub.
Delivering on a key election commitment, the Federal Budget includes $30 million committed over three years for the On Farm Connectivity Program (OFCP) to grow Australia’s agricultural sector through extended connectivity for farmers and their machinery.
The OFCP will enhance local agricultural productivity by increasing the usage of connected machinery and sensor technology, and supporting farmers as they broaden their local and global market reach.
The investment in OFCP is complemented by its support for the Regional Tech Hub, with $6 million invested over the next three years committed to helping the independent service support more regional, rural and remote Australians troubleshoot connectivity issues.
The funding extension will ensure rural and regional communities can get connected sooner, achieve better consumer awareness, and improve their connectivity literacy.
The Hub is being delivered by the National Farmers’ Federation in collaboration with the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network and in liaison with a range of stakeholders including the Better Internet for Rural, Regional and Remote Australia.
These commitments are part of a $2.2 billion investment in regional telecommunications over the next five years, which represents a major increase in regional communications funding. For more information on the OFCP, visit infrastructure.gov.au/bcp
For more information on the Hub, including tips to improve your internet experience, visit https://regionaltechhub.org.au/
Click here to read the full media release further information.
NSW Retail Leases Act 1994
Retail tenants, landlords and industry stakeholders are invited to have their say on the effectiveness of the NSW Retail Leases Act 1994.
The NSW Government has asked the Small Business Commissioner to conduct a review of the Act, which is important legislation for landlords, investors and retail tenants.
Click the link below to read the review’s Discussion Paper and Terms of Reference and to complete the online survey or make a submission.
The review will consider whether the Act continues to meet its policy objectives and whether any amendments should be made to improve the regulatory environment for retail landlords and tenants.
Reducing red tape, improving certainty and reducing administrative costs are primary objectives of the review.
The public feedback process is open until 5pm, Friday 9 December 2022.
The review is expected to be completed in 6 to 9 months.
NSW storms and floods damage
You may be eligible to receive up to $50,000 if your business or not-for-profit organisation has suffered direct damage as a result of the NSW storms and floods in August and September 2022 onwards.
Once approved, businesses may be eligible for a $25,000 up-front payment (with a list of damage and photographic evidence) and a further $25,000 available with submission of valid tax invoices, receipts or bank statements.
How you can use the grant
It can help pay for costs associated with flood clean up and getting your business back up and running. Eligible expenses include (but aren't limited to):
• clean up
• leasing temporary premises
• replacing lost or damaged stock
• tradespeople
• hiring equipment
• safety inspections.
Select 'Apply now' to check if your business is eligible and see the documentation you’ll need to apply. Applications close on 30 June 2023.
Southern Highlands Festival of Lights
The Southern Highlands Festival of Lights is a month-long celebration of creativity and technology that transforms the towns and small villages of the Southern Highlands of NSW into a magical wonderland.
This annual outdoor event sees buildings and natural environments lit up with large-scale illuminations and immersive light art sculptures. Many fun, family friendly events and concerts are also staged as part of the Southern Highlands Festival of Lights. We invite you to see our region in a new light!
Click here to view all of the fantastic events scheduled through the month of December!
The Southern Highlands Festival of Lights is produced by Business Southern Highlands, in collaboration with a small group of locals who want to bring joy, and a sense of hope, to our community, and those who visit our unique region.
