RDASI Newsletter - May 2022
A message from the CEO
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. Remember to make your vote count and number all the boxes!
The Jindabyne Special Activation Precinct (SAP) masterplan is almost complete. Last week I attended the last community engagement meeting in Jindabyne before the release of the final plan. I was very impressed with the method the State government used to extract feedback from the community. We went through the plan piece by piece and then gave written comments on every section. Sitting between the President of Jindabyne chamber and the former Snowy-Monaro Mayor, I was privileged to see first hand the passions and perceptions of the local community. In six weeks, we should finally be seeing the plan and then it will be time to build engagement to encourage private investment into the region.
RDASI is very excited to be launching its new look website very soon. We’re just in the last stages of testing so envisage it to be ready in the next couple of weeks. Included in the new framework is an additional data tool we’ve onboarded that will provide up to date statistics on our region. It’s a fabulous tool and will be available for public use.
2022 is throwing us all some unique curve balls, and we know that recovery has been thwarted by ongoing covid complexities and extraordinary weather events. If you need support or assistance RDASI is here to help, so please reach out.
Regional Strengths and Infrastructure Gaps Report
RDA Southern Inland has partnered with Infrastructure Australia to develop the Regional Strengths and Infrastructure Gaps report, which highlights opportunities to support the regionalisation trend that took hold during the pandemic and is reshaping the Southern Inland region.
The Regional Strengths and Infrastructure Gaps report provides a lens to highlight the opportunities in our regions and prioritise investment in Regional Australia.
In developing this report, Infrastructure Australia partnered with 48 Regional Development Australia committees to conduct extensive consultation on community views. This was supported by engagement with key regional stakeholders, including businesses, peak bodies and industry groups, to help create a picture of each area’s diverse assets, growth industries and infrastructure requirements.
With the debut of the Regional Strengths and Infrastructure Gaps report, Infrastructure Australia aims to increase the focus on the needs of Regional Australia. Through building an evidence base of mutually acknowledged needs, as well as identifying the assets available to be leveraged by industry and the community, working alongside government, to provide solutions.
Infrastructure Australia Chief of Policy & Research Peter Colacino said: “Infrastructure Australia’s 2019 Australian Infrastructure Audit identified the challenges and opportunities in providing infrastructure and services in Regional Australia. It found that Regional Australia is characterised by limited choice of infrastructure and associated services, with thin markets limiting the ability for service providers to participate.
“We encourage all stakeholders to use this evidence base to bring forward solutions to local challenges and seize opportunities for growth, innovation and investment. This evidence base supports planning, and informed decision-making, to ensure we get the solutions right to close these gaps.
“Without further reform and investment, the quality of infrastructure and access to services in our regions will remain behind our Fast-growing Cities, constraining growth. The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on regional population growth and changing patterns of trade are compounding these challenges,” Mr Colacino said.
Gottstein Trust Flagship Grants Program
The 2022 round of the Gottstein Trust flagship grants program is now open with applications closing Friday 3rd June 2022.
Don’t miss the chance to be considered and please make sure your colleagues and networks across the forest and wood products supply chain are aware of the opportunity.
Testimonials show the positive impact for people how receive a Gottstein Trust Award.
The grants are awarded to individuals and are open to all industry personnel and to students in a relevant field of study. There are three categories – scholarships for students, skills development support which is open to anyone and the prestigious Gottstein Trust Fellowship awarded on the basis of a project of potential benefit to the industry.
Before submitting an application, interested people are welcome to discuss their application ideas with Helen Murray on 0419 991 424. Other enquiries can be directed to team@gottsteintrust.org
Promoting Critical Vacancies in the Southern Inland
Is your business experiencing critical skills shortages or struggling to retain staff? Development of local talent has been shown to help build a strong brand and is an effective strategy for businesses to attract and retain staff.
RDA Southern Inland’s Grow Our Own pilot program has launched in the Goulburn Mulwaree LGA and focuses on supporting industry to invest in locals through group visits, showcasing career prospects with the goal of employment, training and mentoring opportunities.
We can assist in linking industry through our partnerships with government, educational institutions and community organisations to help you develop and retain a skilled workforce.
If you would like to learn more about the Grow Our Own pilot or discuss any other workforce issues across the Southern Inland region contact our Workforce Development and Projects Officer, Melissa Jones on 0422 596 235 or admin@rdasi.org.au.
Regional Events Acceleration Fund
Applications for Round Two of the Regional Events Acceleration Fund are open, with a further $20 million in funding for events hosted in regional NSW between July 2022 and June 2023.
The aim of the funding is to help attract new events to the regions, make existing iconic regional NSW events even bigger and better and improve accessibility and inclusion at major events.
NSW Seniors Card Participating Business
With more than 1.8 million Seniors Card and Senior Savers Card members in NSW, and with this number set to increase significantly over the next decade, applying to become a NSW Seniors Card program participating business is a great way to attract this market.
If you'd like to promote your business to this ever-growing audience, you can now apply online to be a participating business.
Storm and Flood Disaster Recovery Small Business Grant
If you're a small business or a not-for-profit organisation in NSW and you've been directly impacted by storms and floods in February and March 2022, you may be eligible for a storm and flood disaster recovery small business grant.
The disaster recovery grant of up to $50,000 is to help pay for the costs of clean-up and reinstatement of a small business or not-for-profit organisation’s operations.
You must be a small business or a not-for-profit organisation in a defined disaster area to be eligible.
Small Business Disaster Relief Loans
Small businesses who have been directly affected by a declared natural disaster including floods, fires or storm damage, may be eligible for low interest loans of up to $130,000.
This low interest rate loan can help small businesses return to normal level of trading or until the next major income is received within 12 months from the date of disaster, and replace and repair damage caused to your small business and associated improvements not covered by insurance.
Funding for Female Founders
The Boosting Female Founders Initiative - Round 3 is now open to help women entrepreneurs overcome the disadvantages faced in getting access to finance and support to grow their startups.
This program provides targeted support on a co-contribution basis to female founders of startup businesses to scale into domestic and global markets. The program also offers expert mentoring and advice to a select number of eligible applicants. Grants of between $100,000 and $400,000 (or up to $480,000 for priority groups) are available for majority female owned and led startups.
Closing date: 02 Jun 2022.
Commercial Landlord Hardship Fund
The Commercial Landlord Hardship Fund has been extended until 31 May 2022.
Eligible landlords who provided rental relief to commercial and retail tenants between 14 January and 13 March 2022 are able to apply for grants of up to $3,000 a month per eligible property.
The grant is equal to the value of the rental waiver provided to tenants, up to a maximum of $3000 per month, for each eligible property.
Closing date: 31 May 2022.
