RDA Riverina Overview 01 RDA Riverina Overview 2014 - 2015
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
2014 - 2015 RDA Riverina Overview 01 RDA Riverina Overview 2014 - 2015 Vision for the region The RDA-Riverina region will be renowned for its excellence in all dimensions – economic, social and environmental with an VISION emphasis on innovation, life long learning, healthy living and an optimistic outward looking culture based on confidence, resilience and social inclusion. RDA-Riverina will build partnerships that facilitate the MISSION development of a sustainable region. RDA Riverina embraces and supports the following values: • Innovation/creativity VALUES • Commitment to a learning culture • Inclusiveness • Sustainability • Optimism www.rdariverina.org.au RDA Riverina Overview 2014 - 2015 02 “connecting communities, business&government to projects, programs,services, funding and other people.” Contents Introduction 03 Promotion of the Riverina 25 Regional Profile 04 EnvironMEnt Message from the Chair 06 Water Management 28 Message form CEO 07 Environmental Sustainability 29 RDA Riverina Committee 08 EDucatIOn & SkIll DEvElopment Organisational Structure 10 Workforce Development 30 About this report 11 Community Capacity 31 Economic DIvERSIty and InDuStRy COllaboratIOn Infrastructure 12 leadership Development 33 transport 16 Regional Planning 34 utilities & Telecommunications 18 RDA Riverina Activity by lGA 35 Business/Industry 21 HEAlth & WEllBEIng 36 Sustainable Workforce 23 RDA RIvERIna GOvERnAnce 37 03 RDA Riverina Overview 2014 - 2015 Introduction Regional Development Australia (RDA) is an the RSMS visa application process. Australian Government initiative that brings together all levels of government to support the With these changes in mind, RDA Riverina continued development of Australia’s regions. A national to take leadership in bringing together Riverina network of 55 committees has been established to organisations, business and industry and delivering achieve this objective. learning opportunities for individuals and groups across the region. These included projects and In new South Wales, RDA is a partnership between activities such as: the Australian and new South Wales Governments • Gathering local government, business and and consists of 14 RDA’s. industry to participate in regional planning link to RDA Regional Plan 2013-2016 http:// RDA Riverina’s work bridges the activities of the www.rdariverina.org.au/regional-plan.aspx local, State and Australian Governments and the community. RDA Riverina communicates to both • Interest group meetings, such as the governments on the key emerging opportunities Riverina Development Officers network and issues in the Riverina community. Visit www. • Facilitating workshops and seminars rdariverina.org.au or the national website www.rda. focusing on skills development and gov.au for more information on the whole network. capacity building eg Grantwriting workshops 2014/2015 has been a year of transition for RDA Riverina, under the new Federal government and a • Sponsorship opportunities for regional new direction focused on economic development. events of relevance to RDA The adjustment to a new framework under • Gathering economic, sustainability and constrained funding in various government social inclusion information regarding the departments, agencies and programs in addition to Riverina region the local Government Review, created a challenging year in redefining our core business. There were also • Providing information on government changes to the Skilled Migration Program with the grant programs, services and other proposed removal of the Regional Certifying Body in initiatives. www.rdariverina.org.au RDA Riverina Overview 2014 - 2015 04 RDA Riverina Region Profile The Regional Development Australia (RDA) Riverina region stretches 500 kms east to west across south- central nSW. It covers an area of almost 59,665sq kms and services a population of approximately % 144,000 people. The Riverina RDA is comprised 96 total value of of 14 local Government Areas: Bland, Carrathool, NSW carrots Coolamon, Cootamundra, Griffith, Gundagai, Hay, Junee, leeton, lockhart, Murrumbidgee, % narrandera, Temora and Wagga Wagga. The Riverina % 74 region is home to the Murrumbidgee River and the 39 total value of total value of In 2013-2014, the oranges major food producing areas of the Murrumbidgee wheat Riverina region Irrigation Area (MIA) and Coleambally Irrigation Area (CIA). accounted for a significant share of the MIA itself provides over one-quarter of all the NSW horticultural fruit and vegetable production in nSW and is also crops. one of Australia’s largest exporters of bulk wines. % % Cotton production is also a fast growing sector in 49 59 the Riverina growing 45% nSW’s crop projected for total value of total value of apples 2015. Retail, manufacturing, health care and social NSW rice assistance are also major employers in the region. 57 % the RDA Riverina Regional Profile updated in 2014 total value of reported Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) onions data from the 2014 labour Force Survey that 86 300 people were employed in the Riverina region. the region accounts for 2 % of total employment in nSW. Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing is the opportunities which it is working collaboratively Riverina region’s largest employer - 18,900 people with the Australian, state, territory and local representing 21% of the region’s workforce. governments to overcome and achieve. Some of In 2013-2014, the gross value of agricultural the prominent issues facing the region include the production (GvAP) in the Riverina region was $2.0 road and rail infrastructure for growing agricultural billion, which was 16% of the total GvAP in nSW markets such as cotton, skills shortages, the ($12.1 billion). (ABARES, Agriculture & Forestry in fluctuating Australian dollar, environmental issues the Riverina Region of nSW, 2015) and the agricultural economy. Health care and social assistance were the second the region has a strong education base with Charles largest employment sector (11,900 people ), Sturt university, TAFE nSW Riverina Institute, RAAF followed by construction (9,000) and manufacturing and kapooka Army Base. All of these facilities will (7,000). Other important employment sectors in the be vital in building the skills and confidence of all region were retail trade (6,400 ) accommodation people (including Aboriginal & new immigrants) in and food services (6,000). (ABS labour Force Survey the region. 2014) The Riverina’s burgeoning food culture currently The Riverina has a wealth of people with a proactive presents numerous opportunities for businesses. and entrepreneurial approach to business and The diversity of the produce grown in the area is life. Opportunities for development exist in the unmatched and has enhanced the attractiveness of Riverina region in agriculture, aged care, aviation, the region. manufacturing, transport & logistics and education. link to RDA Riverina Regional Profile http://www. The RDA Riverina region faces challenges and many rdariverina.org.au/our-region/regional-profile.aspx. 05 RDA Riverina Overview 2014 - 2015 RDA Riverina Local Government Areas and their communities Local Government Area Communities Website ungarie, Barmedman, West Bland Shire Council Wyalong, Wyalong, Tallimba, www.blandshire.nsw.gov.au Weethalle, naradhan, Mirrol Hillston, Goolgowi, Rankins Springs, Carrathool Shire Council www.carrathool.nsw.gov.au Merriwagga & Carrathool Coolamon, Ganmain, Ardlethan, Coolamon Shire Council www.coolamon.nsw.gov.au Beckom, Marrar & Matong Cootamundra Shire Council Wallendbeen, Stockingbingal www.cootamundra.nsw.gov.au yoogali, Hanwood, Tharbogang, Griffith City Council lake Wyangan, Bilbul, Beelbangera, www.griffith.nsw.gov.au nericon Muttama, nangus, Adjunbilly, Gundagai Shire Council www.gundagai.nsw.gov.au Coolac Hay Shire Council Hay, Booligal, Maude www.hay.nsw.gov.au Bethungra, Old Junee, Junee Junee Shire Council Reefs, Eurongilly, Illabo, Dirnaseer, www.junee.nsw.gov.au Wantabadgery, Harefield leeton Shire Council yanco, Whitton, Wamoon, Murrami www.leeton.nsw.gov.au lockhart, The Rock, Yerong Creek, lockhart Shire Council www.lockhart.nsw.gov.au Pleasant Hills, Milbrulong Murrumbidgee Shire Council Darlington Point, Coleambally www.murrumbidgee.local-e.nsw.gov.au Grong Grong, Barellan, Collinroobie, narrandera Shire Council Corobimilla, kamarah, kywong, www.narrandera.nsw.gov.au Moombooldool, Binya temora Shire Council temora, Ariah Park, Springdale www.temora.nsw.gov.au Wagga, Forest Hill, kapooka, Gumly Gumly, Bomen-lady Wagga Wagga City Council Smith, Collingullie, Currawarna, www.wagga.nsw.gov.au Mangoplah, uranquity, Tarcutta, Oura, Galore, Humula www.rdariverina.org.au RDA Riverina Overview 2014 - 2015 06 Message from the Chair This year sees many changes for RDA Riverina commodities here, but also process them through – not least of which is having a new leadership to a value-added product. If not the “food bowl” of team! I would like to acknowledge the great Asia, we are certainly aiming to be the “deli counter” contribution made by Tom Watson, the previous of Asia, with a range of high quality specialised Chair, his Committee in their work to support produce now available for export to the world. regional development for the Riverina and our staff (lani, Marg, Faye, and nicole) who continue their While no applications from the Riverina were outstanding collective job to implement a range of successful under the national Stronger Regions initiatives developed by the Committee and created Fund Round 1, several enterprises