Taree - June 2nd and 3rd of July
At the bi-monthly June meeting of RDA Mid North Coast held in Taree on 3 June 2011, the following matters were discussed:
RDAF Funding First Round
The first round of RDAF funding closed on 13 May 2011. The Regional Development Australia Fund will fund projects that support the infrastructure needs, and will enhance the economic and community development of Australia’s regions, maximising outcomes through effective partnerships across all levels of government, and the business and not-for-profit sectors.
Regional Development Australia Mid North Coast Board played a key role in identifying projects to be supported, and confirming that proposed projects align with the RDA MNC Regional Plan. Twenty of the twenty nine applications received letters of endorsement from the Board.
The Board recognised the impact of the application process for small groups in terms of the scale of applications and the financial implications and costs involved. Feedback to this effect will be forwarded by the Board to the Department.
It is the intention of the Board to again provide RDAF funding information sessions throughout the region prior to the next round of funding.
Inclusion of Lord Howe Island in RDA Mid North Coast region
With the decision to include Lord Howe Island in the RDA Mid North Coast region an invitation is to be extended to LHI to attend RDA MNC meetings as an observer with the potential for a representative of Lord Howe Island to submit an expression of interest as Board positions become available.
Launch of the RDA MNC Occasional Paper
The Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, Hon. Simon Crean, and the Member for Lyne, Rob Oakeshott, launched two key policy discussion papers on regional development at a function at Parliament House held on 25 May 2011.
The joint Occasional Paper by Regional Development Australia – Mid-North Coast and TAFE Directors Australia, resulting from the 2010 ‘Strategic Regional Leadership for the Future Conference’, focuses on the critical role of Australia’s regions in economic prosperity, vocational education and community development.
Mr. Crean said the role of education had become vital for regional development, and he was critical of a recent Grattan Institute report which had downplayed the role of regional investment.
Keep Australia Working (KAW)
An interesting presentation to the board by Renee Hawkins from KAW delivered an interesting presentation on the achievement of her program in meeting the 9 goals of the Regional Employment Plan.
Departmental Name Change
Regional Director Northern, Louise McMeeking advised the Board of the name change of NSW Trade & Investment, Regional Infrastructure & Services, formerly known as NSW Industry and Investment.
North Coast Innovation Festival
Excellent feedback has been received from the participants and attendees at the North Coast Innovation Festival held 1 to 31 May 2011.
Launch of Broadband Toolkit
A live demonstration of the RDA MNC website’s Broadband Toolkit provided the Board with useful information available to councils and businesses regarding the NBN rollout in the region.
INDUSTRY SITE VISITS
New Look Taree Community College
RDA Board members were taken on a tour of the proposed site during which college Staff and Board members shared their vision for education in the Manning Valley. Taree Community College intends to renovate and modify the existing new building to cater for current and future College demands including disability access, aged care, simulated learning environments and additional training rooms.
Manning River Foreshore
Greater Taree City Council staff provided RDA Board members with a guided tour of the Manning River Foreshore, outlining plans to develop the site as a central civic area of quality open space through the construction of recreational and entertainment facilities, park environment and connective structures linking the area to residential and commercial development and the Taree CBD.
JOHNS RIVER COMMUNITY CONSULTATION FUNCTION
About 50 people enjoyed the catered evening, hosted by RDA Mid North Coast. Coming from afar afield as Forster, Wingham, Taree and Port Macquarie, guests networked and learnt from RDA board members about opportunities and how to access funding and assistance across a wide range of areas, from tourism and marketing to economic development, agriculture and grant applications.
RDA Mid North Coast Executive Officer Peter Tregilgas spoke on the role of RDA in the Mid North Coast region and of the tremendous response from our region in the recent (and first) round of RDAF funding, which came out of the $1 billion fund for regional Australia. Applications are currently being assessed with funding announcements expected in early July.
Acting Chair Elizabeth McGregor congratulated applicants and encouraged more regional cooperation between all types of regional organisations, from government and industry to community groups.
A big thank you to Rosie’s Cafe at Johns River for their hospitality!
