Regional Development Australia Riverina Annual Report
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9 Regional Development Australia Riverina Annual Report RDA Riverina Annual Report 2018-19 03 Vision RDA Riverina connects RDA Riverina - communities, business and facilitating government to projects, regional growth programs, services, funding and and prosperity other people. Vision Values Contents The RDA Riverina region will RDA Riverina embraces and Our Role 04 Collaboration be renowned for its excellence supports the following values: in all dimensions – economic, Message from the CEO 05 Renewable Energy, Development 21 social and environmental - Innovation/creativity Forums, National Ag Day – with an emphasis on - Commitment to a About RDA Riverina 06 innovation, life-long learning, learning culture healthy living and an - Inclusiveness AgriHack, Tourism Accelerator. 22 Regional profile 08 optimistic, outward looking - Sustainability PNG Visit, Communications Study culture based on confidence, - Optimism and Taste Riverina resilience and social inclusion. Committee 10 Country Change 25 Staff Structure 12 Regional Resettlement 26 Economic Growth Mission of Refugees Regional Profile 13 Skilled Migration RDA Riverina will build Professional Services 14 partnerships that facilitate Skilled Migration Report 27 the development of a Case study: Big Springs 15 sustainable region. Case study: De Bortoli Wines 28 Case study: Borambola Wines 16 Case study: Forough Ataollahi 29 Case study: Nest Café 17 Education and Training Funds to Build a Better Region 18 Grow Our Own 30 Workforce Development Plan 20 Jobs Riverina 31 Cover image credit: RDA Riverina Kara Rosenlund rdariverina.org.au 04 Our Role RDA Riverina Annual Report 2018-19 05 Our role Message from the CEO Building strong, confident and vibrant regions Rachel Whiting CEO and Director of Regional Development Regional Development Australia (RDA) is a national Professional Services Testimonial RDA Riverina commenced 2018 with a reviewed RDA Charter, The 2018/2019 year saw RDA Riverina produce the Riverina network of Committees made up of local leaders a new funding agreement taking the organisation into 2020 Regional Profile, create a new research officer position to who work with all levels of government, business and “The assistance and information provided by the RDA and performance measures setting the direction for the next support an expanded suite of professional services now community groups to support the economic development Riverina has been invaluable in our assessment of our 3 years. This direction will focus on attracting Investment, offered, consolidate the workforce development plan which of their regions. RDA Riverina plays a pivotal role in funding applications before submission. The letter of fostering Innovation and workforce development. includes the launch of a digital jobs platform Jobs Riverina, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Riverina. support and projected jobs growth figures as well as the continue to reinvigorate Country Change, begin moves to act possible benefits to our region from our development, Despite the disruption experienced through this period as the honest broker for Grow Our Own, takeover and expand Through collaboration, knowledge sharing and facilitation, allowed us to confidently apply for the funding. The RDA and the relocation of RDA Riverina offices to Charles Sturt the Grow Our Own program with additional funds to support RDA Riverina leverages the skills and expertise of its Riverina are committed to providing quality information University with the plan of being a critical first tenant of the a part-time Industry Liaison Officer, run multiple workshops, networks to develop local solutions to local problems. that is useful and easy to incorporate in feasibility and CSU AgriPark, our wonderful staff and supportive committee industry tours, development officer forums and partner for the The results are evidenced by the number of regional budgeting project costs” kept this organisation moving in a positive direction, for which second year with AgriFutures Australia to celebrate National businesses, councils, industry sectors and community I would like to thank them. Ag Day and partner with Destination Riverina Murray to begin groups supported each year, and the region-relevant - Debbie Blanchard (Executive, L.P.C Trading) planning for a Tourism Business Accelerator across the Riverina advice given to Government on issues critical to the Miriam Dayhew took on the role of Acting Chair from January and Murray regions. economic prosperity of the Riverina. This Annual Report 1st and was later appointed Chair by the Minister. Later in showcases some of RDA Riverina’s key areas of progress, 2018, Ms Dayhew resigned her position due to a change in RDA Riverina provided feedback in writing and through activities and achievements in 2018/2019. employment and Kerry Penton took on the role of Acting consultation with the Australian Government’s Regional Chair. Staff consisted of the CEO Rachel Whiting also taking on Telecommunications Review and Our CEO and Director In 2018/2019, RDA Riverina changed its focus and Hillston the Director of Regional Development position, Marg Couch completed research on communications accessibility in developed structural adjustments that made us less as part-time Project Officer, Faye Anderson as the Skilled Coolamon Shire. reliant on grant funding. RDA Riverina introduced Migration Officer, and Elliot Lee as the Research Officer. a suite of professional services that are now on West Wyalong offer on a fee-for-service basis. The new funding agreement which did not include NSW state government assistance has highlighted the opportunity for Griffith They include: RDA Riverina to provide extra professional services on fee-for- Temora service basis to make up the short fall in budget. Leeton • Grant Writing/Proofing Hay This direction will focus • Statistics Narrandera The RDA Riverina committee members held two meetings Coolamon in 2018, in Leeton Shire and Wagga City, and two meetings on attracting Investment, • Economic Impact Analysis Coleambaly in early 2019, in Tumut and Hay. Committee members Junee Gundagai • Report Writing gained substantial insight and appreciation for the diversity, fostering Innovation and • Business Award Writing Assistance/Mentoring productive capacity and economic development opportunities • Investment Impact Analysis for Business Case Wagga that the region presents through these visits and presentations workforce development. Lockhart Tumut from Council Mayors, General Managers and representatives. • Data Subscription • Tourism Impact Analysis Jerilderie • Regional/Local Economic Profile • Secretariat Services Batlow RDA Riverina rdariverina.org.au 06 About RDA Riverina RDA Riverina Annual Report 2018-19 07 About RDA Riverina Regional Development Australia Riverina (RDA Riverina) is part of an Australian Government Population initiative based on building partnerships and responding to local priorities and needs. Carrathool 2,802 Bland 2,985 Hay 2,979 Griffith 26,882 It is a facilitator of networks and Temora 6,274 partnerships, and a provider of information and economic and Leeton 11,438 social support to the communities of the Riverina. We serve as a Murrumbidgee 3,961 conduit between government and local communities. Coolamon 4,368 Narrandera 5,931 RDA Riverina covers 14 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and includes the major centres of Wagga Wagga and Griffith. Junee 6,631 A non-profit, community-based organisation, RDA Riverina is steered by a committee of 12 members from across the Cootamundra-Gundagai 11,260 region who represent local government, businesses and communities. Collectively, the Committee brings a broad Lockhart and diverse skills base and demonstrated networks and 3,295 alliances to the organisation. Snowy Valleys 14,532 The work of the RDA Riverina is undertaken by a small but passionate team based across the region led by a Wagga Wagga 64,820 Chief Executive Officer who also holds the role of Director Regional Development. Map of 14 LGAs covered by RDA Riverina (Reference: https://rdariverina.org.au/our-region/) Data Source: 3218.0 Regional Population Growth Australia (Released at 11.30am (Canberra Time) RDA Riverina 27 March 2019 08 About RDA Riverina RDA Riverina Annual Report 2018-19 09 Regional profile Employment is primarily driven by agribusiness and service industries. The Riverina is an agricultural RDA Riverina estimates that 89,561 people region of south-western New were in the labour force in the Riverina South Wales (NSW), which extends region as of March 2019. from the foothills of the Snowy Mountains north west through the Murrumbidgee River catchment area to the flat dry inland plains of Gross Regional Median Median Weekly Product Age Household Income Hay and Carrathool. $11.9 Billion 39.85 $1,517 The RDA Riverina region covers an area of 80,545km2 and The labour force participation rate for the Riverina The Riverina’s burgeoning food culture currently is estimated at 66.02% as of March 2019 with an presents numerous opportunities for businesses. The services an estimated population of 171,158 (REMPLAN, as unemployment rate of 4.3%.The Agriculture, Forestry diversity of the produce grown in the area is unmatched of June 30, 2019). It comprises the regional cities of Wagga and Fishing industry sector is the Riverina’s largest and has enhanced the attractiveness of the region. employer with 9,991 jobs or 13.3% (REMPLAN), followed Wagga and Griffith and the local government areas of Bland, by Healthcare and Social Assistance at 9,619