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.

As of April 1st 2024 RDA Southern Inland (RDASI) has officially changed its name to RDA Southern NSW and ACT (RDASNA) and we are now responsible for representing the additional NSW LGAs of Eurobodalla and Bega Valley, plus the Australian Capital Territory.

I wish to appreciate our key stakeholders, and assure them, that while we move through the changes occurring due to the boundary review process, we are not slowing down our passion and enthusiasm to bring real economic and social outcomes to our region.

2024 is already looking like it will bring a mix of opportunities and challenges for regional NSW, and we will be leaning on our stakeholders to support us deliver the programs we know will drive economic and social development.

RDASI is excited to be able to finally announce our successful tender bid to be the host agency for the new State government program, the Key Worker, Welcome experience in Goulburn. This is a pilot for the first twelve months, with the intention for it to run over three years and as such, we will be implementing the program whilst also providing direct intel to the state government to improve and develop the project moving forward.

With the next roadshow of Regional Connect events now locked in, we are very excited to announce an expansion of the program into Queanbeyan-Palerang and Hilltops. Government grants are available for a vast array of development programs and we are bringing our grants extraordinaire, Tash Maguire on tour to talk you through grant writing tips and tricks.

February was a jam packed month, which saw our Regional Connect events kick off for the year with a bang. They were so successful that we’re expanding them to include two additional LGAs. February also saw the regional visa program have another recent change in criteria, making it easier for skilled migrants to apply for the 491 visa.

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.

Last month was again a busy one for our team. Our workforce development programs have been very successful. Local employers were able to connect directly with jobseekers and school age kids to discuss opportunities and careers pathways.

Advocating for regional solutions is a large part of our work, so please get in contact with us if you have an issue of challenge you need assistance with.

Small Business Month kicked off in March and with it our grants guru, Phil Gibson is hosting a number of targeted grant writing workshops throughout the month. RDASI can assist businesses and community organisations with their project development and grant writing, so please contact Phil at grants@rdasi.org.au for any grant assistance that you may need.

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.

With the expected upsurge in regional travel from this weekend, we know we’ll be hearing from many of our small business owners about the issues of finding staff. Workforce development is a key strategic pillar for RDASI and we’re pleased to be working closely with the Local Jobs Facilitators in the Illawarra South Coast and Canberra regions as part of the Local Jobs Program funded by the Federal Government.

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.

Recently, our new Board met for a strategy development day to look towards the future direction for RDA – Southern Inland. The day was productive, collaborative, and full of great ideas. With Commonwealth funding secured until June 2025 RDASI has the security to take a longer-term view of economic development in the region.

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 have been honoured to be a part of the extremely successful SISP program and that we were selected as a pilot region. The program has significant momentum and has expanded to over 30 schools in 2020. In what has been a challenging year, the program has assisted schools and students to integrate STEM into the classroom and engage with industry.