Our Mission
To support the development of regional Australia.
Regional Development Australia Southern NSW and ACT (RDASNA) is a conduit to bring jobs, investment and innovation in Southern NSW and ACT. We are a connection point for anyone looking to be a part of the growth, prosperity and livability of our region.
Southern NSW and ACT REGION
One of 50 RDA Committees across the country, RDASNA is the conduit to jobs, investment and innovation in Southern NSW and ACT.
We drive growth in Southern NSW and ACT through collaboration, advocacy and the facilitation of regional projects.
We are a connection point for anyone looking to invest in, live in and be a part of the growth and prosperity of our Southern NSW and ACT region.
With access to the most up to date economic and community data to aid development and investment in the region, RDASNA ensures informed planning at all levels guides the strategic and sustainable development of the region.
RDA Southern NSW and ACT (RDASNA) combines the regions of RDA Southern Inland, ACT and two LGAs from Far South Coast.
The region encompasses 9 NSW LGAs including, Wingecarribee, Goulburn-Mulwaree, Upper Lachlan, Yass Valley, Hilltops, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Snowy Monaro, Eurobodalla and Bega Valley, plus the Australian Capital Territory.
This diverse region spanning from the Snowy Mountains, across the Southern Tablelands and Highlands, to the Sapphire Coast includes a land mass of over 56,000km2 with a population of over 750,000.
We are proud to represent, a region with the most spectacular topography in NSW.
Our Resources
We provide a vast range of resources and information to businesses, community groups and those looking to support the region.
Business Resources
We have put together a range of business support and resources for time-poor businesses in the our region to help them connect with others and access business support, networks and information.
Grant Assistance
In partnership with all of our councils, we offer a FREE online grant finder to identify current opportunities. This resource connects business and community groups with available funding from local, state and federal government, plus private foundation sources.
Regional Data
We have access to the most up to date and informed socio-economic and demographic data for our region within NSW and ACT. Access and compare this data with other regions.
Our News
Autumn is already upon us, and the first quarter of the year has been one very busy time at RDA Southern Inland (RDASI).
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. A HUGE thank you goes to the RDASI team, their unwavering support, dedication and focus on delivering for our communities is beyond anything I could ask for.
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.
As we step into 2024, RDASI can't help but share our enthusiasm and anticipation for the incredible opportunities and collaborations that lie ahead.
November came with mixed outcomes for RDASI and our region. With the decision of the Department of Home Affairs to reduce the allocation of 491 Regional Visa’s for NSW, RDA’s will no longer be contracted by Investment NSW to assist with the delivery.
Planning has commenced for our Regional Connect Roadshows in 2024 with our expert steering committee nominating the subject matter they want to see delivered in our regions. Cyber security is at the top of minds, and so we’ll be bringing key information on how to protect your data, in the first part of the new year.
RDASI proudly supported Small Business Month events in the region and partnered with the Upper Lachlan Shire and Hilltops councils to present a Small Business Forum in both regions. Thanks to all our wonderful stakeholders who joined us, provided advice, and intelligence at the events. We so greatly appreciate Regional Tech Hub, Telstra, NBN Local, Department of Regional NSW, Local Land Service, NSW Farmers, AusIndustry, Enterprise Plus and Baytree Strategy for giving their time and enthusiasm to our regional communities.
The Welcome Experience in Goulburn has seen several new residents supported through the transition a move requires. This program has been developed with years of research, with the understanding that the first three months are key to settling and creating long term roots. I commend the State government for acknowledging this and we believe this program is already having a very positive effect.
RDASI is on the front foot when it comes to providing real, on-the-ground responses to government inquiries. Our August submission, was the Communications Legislation Amendment Bill (2023) and the responses to our survey providing the context to our submission, were certainly passionate. We appreciate the time it takes to complete these survey’s and thank everyone who responded. If you would like to read any of our submissions, please go to our website and check out our strategy page.
Our Board meetings are more than mere routine events, they hold incredible significance in shaping the course of our RDASI journey. Our Board comes together to breathe life into our mission and values. The collective power fuels progress and fosters a culture of excellence.
June saw the facilitation of our JobsSI program in Goulburn, Queanbeyan and Cooma. We produced multiple industry tours in these targeted regions focussed on construction, trades, aged and disability care services which were both well attended and achieved excellent jobs pathways outcomes for numerous participants.
Our Chair, Rowena Abbey OAM was acknowledged on the King’s Birthday honours list with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for service to local government, and to the community of Yass. We wish Rowena a HUGE congratulations for this well-deserved recognition.
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.
Just like that we’re back to work and RDASI is kicking off the new year with a bang. We have four Regional Connect events being held over February in collaboration with our local chambers focussed on visas and migration. We are bringing the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) and Migration Institute Australia (MIA) to the regions to discuss the various programs they have directly with businesses. If you have challenges with staff acquisition, then get along to one of the locations listed below and ask questions directly to the experts.
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.
Our team has been working at peak capacity and with that has come a succession of successful engagements. When we’re out in our regions, we make sure to speak to as many people as we can. We like to hear your perspectives, what’s challenging you and of course, what’s going really well. We meet with councils, tertiary educators, state government representatives, non-profit organisations, business advisors, chambers of commerce and most importantly businesses and the people who own and run them.
August has been another exceptionally busy month for RDASI. Many of our local industries have told us that workforce issues are critical and so RDASI is partnering with three local chambers, Business Southern Highlands, Goulburn Chamber of Commerce and Yass Chamber of Commerce to bring a specialist HR consultant to the regions.
RDASI proudly sponsored the Goulburn Chamber of Commerce business awards which were held on Friday 5 August. A massive congratulations goes to the Goulburn Chamber for holding such a wonderful event. Congratulations must also go to the various winners of the awards. Small businesses are the economic backbone of our communities and supporting them is paramount to maintaining the strong regional communities we hold so dear.
RDA Southern Inland's Southern Highlands Stakeholders Dinner held at Southern Highlands Brewing & Taphouse on 23 June was a great success! Almost 50 locals joined us to network and meet the new business support people servicing the Wingecarribee Shire.
Recently RDASI has been your voice in several strategic discussions for our region. Participating in the Southern NSW Destination plan update, the Regional Economic Development Strategies updates, and the Resilience Blueprint project we have provided on the ground local intel contributing to the planning and sustainable development of our beautiful region.
With the election being called for May 21st, the Federal government and its subsidiary bodies are now in caretaker mode. For RDASI it’s business as usual, however we just don’t have the same level of engagement from some of our closest stakeholders. With funding promised for RDA’s until 2025, we will look forward to working with the next government, whoever they may be.
Suzanne Gearing, RDASI's Deputy Chair and myself were lucky enough to attend the latest Jindabyne Connect at the end of last month with some of the Jindabyne Connect Business Owners, Kristy McBain, the local Federal Member and Olivier Kapetanakos, the Jindabyne Chamber President.
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.
RDA Southern Inland received a letter of thanks for our short film, "For the Love of Ag", from The Hon Nola Marino MP, Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories and Federal Member for Forrest.
The hospitality and tourism sectors seem to have moved into recovery mode with domestic visitation in NSW increasing each week. It's been great to see the streets of our towns and villages alive and bustling again. With school holidays starting next week, we’re certain the pick-up will continue right through the summer months.
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.
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.