RDASNA Newsletter - May 2024
CEO REPORT
This month, it’s time to introduce you to the new RDASNA Board members, officially appointed and accepted by The Hon Kristy McBain, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories. On 19 April the additional members attended their first board meeting in Canberra with discussions around the table being robust and effective.
Please meet:
Ross MacDiarmid AO – Deputy Chair | ACT
Ross was formerly the Chair of RDAACT and has been appointed as the RDASNA Deputy Chair. Additional experience includes Member of the Audit Committee - Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, Director – Solar Share Pty Ltd, CEO - Royal Australian Mint, Dyesol and Australian Capital Tourism, Acting Executive Director - Mint Directors Association Ltd, Chair - Capital Region Employment Council and Capital Region Area Consultative Committees, Treasurer - Canberra Business Council.
Genevieve Jacobs AM – Member | ACT
Genevieve, CEO of Hands Across Canberra, has extensive experience in media and communications, highlighted by her roles as Group Editor - Regional Media Group, Director - Jacobs Communications, Radio Presenter – Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Genevieve’s professional experience includes representation on an extensive number of boards and committees, including most recently as the Chair of the Canberra International Music Festival and as a Director of the Cultural Facilities Corporation, UTS Centre for Media Transition, and the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture.
Leanne Atkinson – Member | Bega
Leanne, CEO of the Bega Aboriginal Land Council, has extensive experience in project management, social and economic development, stakeholder engagement and training delivery. Leanne was a Councillor for the former Snowy River Shire Council and a Board Member for Mumbulla Community Foundation, Regional Development Australia Southern Inland and Capital Region Development Board.
Lynne O’Brien – Member | Goulburn Mulwaree
Lynne is a senior event and communications professional with three decades of experience across the Not for Profit,
Public, Commercial and grass roots Community sectors. Lynne’s Board and committee experience includes Chair and Co-President - Sydney PRIDE Centre, National Executive - Australian Sponsorship Marketing Association, Founding Member - Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Limited & Diversity ACT, Co-Chair - SpringOUT Pride Festival Canberra, President - SpringOUT Pride Festival Canberra and Board Member - National Folk Festival Canberra.
Warwick Winn – Member | Eurobodalla
Warwick, the General Manager of Eurobodalla Shire Council, is an Affiliate of the Governance Institute of Australia, has completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors program, and holds a Masters of Environmental and Local Government Law. Warwick has strong advocacy and project delivery skills, with an excellent record of leading successful and innovative policy development and real-world service outcomes, demonstrated through his current appointment as General Manager, and previous appointments in the same role with Penrith City, Manningham City and North Sydney Councils. Warwick’s previous experience includes Board Member of Penrith Performing & Visual Arts.
Applications are open until May 10th for the two roles we have available in our new regions. Have a look on our Careers page for the current opportunities to join our dynamic team as either the Regional Development Manager (South) or the Business Support Officer. If you’re receiving this newsletter then you know the great work we do in our communities and being part of this organisation can genuinely build your career, skills, and connections. Please feel free to reach out to me for a confidential discussion.
To improve the information we provide our regional stakeholders to help develop their projects, businesses, or organisations, we’ve updated our website to include a very clear Resources section. This area holds external Strategic Plans related to regional development, segmented into national, state, regional and local strategies, to assist with aligning to project funding opportunities. There is access to Regional Data, including descriptions of our regions with detailed reports, a Submissions section so you can follow the policy work we do, a Presentations page which houses the PowerPoints that are delivered during our Regional Connect Roadshows, and our Annual Reports.
RDASNA is always happy to consider writing letters of support for your funding applications, so if you have a project in need of assistance, please fill out the online form HERE to request a letter of support. If you would like to discuss your project with our expert regional development team, please email us on grants@rdasna.org.au.
We work with some truly amazing people, and I just want to thank you (you know who you are!) for your ongoing cooperation and collaboration. The issues we are trying to address are often wicked problems requiring all of government and stakeholder solutions. People make things happen and people are at the core of what we do and what we achieve. Please connect if you want to get involved admin@rdasna.org.au
Carisa Wells
Regional Matters
RDASNA is represented by local leaders and staff, passionate about the communities in the Southern NSW and the ACT, with a key focus on investing in people, places, services, local industry, and economies.
We strive to stay on top of regional opportunities and address challenges by delivering specialised programs, hosting events and forums and participating in summits, conferences, roundtables, and regionally targeted submissions.
Follow RDASNA on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn, for opportunities to share your perspective on regional matters.
Workforce Development
3G Network Shutdown
The shutdown of 3G networks is necessary to move towards more advanced technologies like 4G and 5G. These newer networks are designed to support faster internet speeds, better call quality, and more devices at the same time.
As with all technology changes, there is some risk to current provided service quality. The Regional Tech Hub has released a number of resources and tips, including a Q&A document, to assist with the transition and guide consumers through any challenges that arise.
Find out more about the 3G shutdown here.
Migration
Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) Update
While RDASNA awaits training to start administering the DAMA in our region, we are keen to hear from businesses who may want to access this visa program. Please review the Occupation and Concessions List on our website and contact migration@rdasna.org.au for more details. If you have urgent workforce requirements and you have exhausted all local options, please contact us as we can access the DAMA immediately.
Find out more here.
Regional Migration Forums
Throughout 2024, the Regional Australia Institute (RAI) will be hosting a series of forums on regional migration.
The forums are an opportunity for regional community, industry, and government representatives to share their insights and experiences with the regional migration system. The information gathered will be compiled into a publicly available report to inform regional migration policy.
Service provider, community groups, councils or businesses involved with regional migration and who have insights to share, can get in touch with RAI by contacting Senior Researcher, Dr Sasha Block, via the button below.
Submissions
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment
RDASNA is seeking community feedback to help shape our submission to an inquiry into the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Virtual Stock Fencing) Bill 2024, which is being conducted by The Legislative Assembly Committee on Investment, Industry and Regional Development.
The amendment aims to exclude virtual stock fencing devices from the definition of prohibited electrical devices used on animals, thereby allowing their use for confining, tracking, and monitoring stock animals.
Additional background information and links to related research is provided via the survey, which will be open until the 7th of May.
Draft Core Skills List Consultation
Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) is responsible for the labour market analysis and stakeholder engagement which will inform the Government’s final decisions on the skilled occupations to be targeted for migration and to address skills shortages within Australia’s workforce.
A draft Core Skills Occupations List (CSOL) has been released for consultation. This list targets occupations that may eventually be approved or removed for temporary skilled migration, such as for Temporary Skills Shortage Subclass 482 and the Skilled Employer Sponsored (Regional) Subclass 494 visas.
This consultation enables industry bodies, professional associations, employers, and other interested parties to put forward their reasons and evidence for why specific occupations should or should not be on the final list, via a survey or by lodging a submission.
To assist members and their clients, the MIA has prepared a Guide to Writing Submissions for this consultation, which can be downloaded here.
The survey will close at midnight 10 May, the submission deadline is 31 May 2024.
Find out more about the consultation and how to provide your feedback here.
Community Participation Plan | Special Activation Precincts
The Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has prepared a draft Community Participation Plan (CPP) which outlines the mandatory community engagement requirements on planning matters, including consultation timeframes and community participation objectives for Special Activation Precincts, including the Snowy Mountains.
The public can view and provide formal feedback on the plan by making a submission, before the 15th May.
Review of Points Test | Migration Strategy
The Department of Home Affairs will be conducting a review of the points test system, to ‘better identify migrants who will drive Australia’s long-term prosperity’. The Department invites submissions to the review of the points test until Friday 24 May.
View the discussion paper which supports the review by visiting the website to make a submission.
Business | Professional Development
Building Confidence and Capability for Women in Business
Enterprise Plus in collaboration with Goulburn Mulwaree Council, RDA - Southern NSW & ACT and Goulburn Soldiers Club, is offering businesses in Goulburn and surrounds, a FREE 3-hour workshop Building Confidence and Capability for Women in Business.
Business Advisor Lisa LaMaitre will show participants on how to master personal and business branding, financial essentials, and build their professional network.
The workshop will be held on Thursday 16th May from 11am - 2pm, at the Goulburn Soldiers Club and will include a light lunch and refreshments.
Find out more and register here.
NSW Choose Tourism Program
The NSW Choose Tourism Program will address industry workforce shortages by encouraging Australians to pursue a career in the visitor economy while helping operators retain and upskill their staff.
The Program will include five diverse initiatives including a schools program, targeted career promotion, vocational webinars, mentoring by industry leaders and professional development events.
The Choose Tourism Grant Program funding will also support a partnership with TAFE NSW to develop bespoke visitor economy training programs.
Find out more about the program here.
SME-24 Business Accelerator
The SME-24 Business Accelerator, facilitated by the Canberra Innovation Network and supported by AusIndustry, is a fast, intensive business growth program providing practical tools and methods, with a focus on substantial progress in key metrics. Participants will join a cohort of business peers for two days of intensive work, building upon existing business skills and success, while being mentored by growth and innovation experts to think differently.
The program will be held on 20th & 21st May.
Numbers are limited. Express interest in the program here.
Events
Gather and Grow 2024
Gather and Grow sessions bring together NSW Government buyers, Aboriginal businesses, non-Aboriginal businesses, support services and possible job seekers to support growth of the First Nations business sector.
Participants will have the opportunity to hear about current and upcoming regional projects, meet with key stakeholders and make new connections.
Event details: Wednesday 8 May 2024 | 11:00am to 3:00pm - The Queanbeyan Performing Arts Centre.
Find out more and register here.
Regions Rising National Summit 2024 | The New Frontier
Regional Australia Institute’s (RAI) 'The New Frontier' is a solutions-focussed, nation building event bringing together thought leaders across all sectors of government, industry, academia, and most importantly regional communities.
In 2024, for the first time, Regions Rising – The New Frontier will welcome a range of exhibitors in a new expanded layout, concurrent sessions hosted by RAI’s valued partners, and a line-up of speakers focused on solutions to support the growth, the growing pains, and the opportunities of regional Australia.
Find out more here.
Courses | Workshops | Webinars
Certificate II in Cookery
Undertake a Certificate II in Cookery, part-time at Ulladulla Tafe. Beginning in May, this 6-month course, held on Wednesdays and Thursdays from the 1st of May, will enable participants to build the technical skills and industry knowledge needed to enter the cookery or hospitality industries. Students will gain experience working in a commercial kitchen as a kitchen hand and learn from some of the industry’s best seasoned culinary professionals.
Find out more here.
Statement in Provide Responsible Gambling Services (RCG) | Cooma
Undertake a Statement in Provide Responsible Gambling Services at TAFE NSW in Cooma. This one-day course, held on the 16th of May, will teach participants how to promote safety in venues where there are gaming machines, recognise gaming problems and addiction, and follow organisational procedures.
Find out more here.
Grants | Awards
Elders’ Community Giving Program
The Elders’ Community Giving Program supports initiatives that provide sustainable, tangible, and long-term benefits with positive outcomes for Australian rural, regional, and remote communities. In turn building capacity, longevity, liveability, and connection in the regions in which Elders operate.
Based on six distinct pillars, the project offers a total of 12 grants, with two tiers of funding at $10,000 and $20,000 per grant.
Each application must align to at least one of the six pillars.
Applications close on 10th May 2024.
Find out more here.
2024 NSW Tourism Awards
The 2024 NSW Tourism Awards, presented by NSW Tourism Association, recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of the state’s tourism industry, and forms part of the prestigious Australian Tourism Awards.
Open to all tourism businesses within New South Wales, the submission and inspection-based program rewards business excellence, innovation and professionalism across 26 categories.
Nominations close 30th June.
Find out more and nominate here.
2024 National Economic Development Awards for Excellence
Applications are open for the 2024 National Economic Development Awards for Excellence, offering an opportunity to highlight innovative economic development projects and amplify recognition.
Submissions are free, simple, and open to all economic development practitioners in Australia, with nominations available across 12 categories, for projects delivered from 1 January 2023 to 30 June 2024.
Applications close 19 July.
Find out more here.
Thank you for reading, we look forward to connecting with you next month.
