RDA Wheatbelt (build 1.018)

Seeking to make a difference in your region? How do you see the wheatbelt region growing and being recognised? Are you interested in contributing to a committee of motivated locals who will focus on driving economic development in your region?

Regional Development Australia (RDA) Wheatbelt Inc is seeking regional leaders with vision, drive and business experience who are able to facilitate economic development opportunities and investment for our regional communities and create jobs and growth.

Your networking skills will help build forums which enable consultation between business, industry and all levels of government and develop solutions for regional economic development. Applications for the Deputy Chair and Committee member positions are sought from highly motivated and experienced people who are knowledgeable about the economic strengths and challenges of the Wheatbelt region.

Applications close on 25 May 2018 at 4.00 pm (WA).

Download the Applicant Information Pack.
Please email admin@rdawheatbelt.com.au for the editable application forms.

For further information phone the admin office on 08 95751888 or email admin@rdawheatbelt.com.au.

....................................................................................

RDAW Success in Funding Aboriginal Enterprise Development Projects

RDA Wheatbelt is very excited at having recently secured funding over three years through the Australian Government’s Strong and Resilient Communities Activity, Inclusive Communities Grants. The two projects will support Aboriginal Enterprise Development in the Yued (Moora) and Ballardong Nyungar (Noongar) regions of the Wheatbelt meaning it is accessible to approximately 82% of the region’s Aboriginal population.

The design of the project commenced in August 2015 with community consultation and engagement of Federal and State Agencies over the following 2.5 years to refine to an innovative approach to address structural disadvantage associated with both employment opportunities and pathways for education for the Noongar population within the Wheatbelt.

The RDA Wheatbelt solution is closely aligned to the success factors identified by the Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage Steering Committee:
•    Cooperative approaches;
•    Community involvement;
•    Good governance; and
•    Ongoing government support.

This Grant will fund a Noongar Enterprise Support field officer in each region to encourage and support social enterprise and small indigenous business and will also provide a mechanism for the delivery of other funded programs into the Wheatbelt. It can thus be the central point around which other programs designed to increase Aboriginal employment, economic development and social participation can populate.

Social enterprises are expected to act as incubation hubs, stimulating and assisting with the development of micro enterprise as the community and individuals therein gain confidence, experience and commercial knowledge. Ultimately a focus in this area is expected to generate a critical mass of services that will create a supportive environment for Aboriginal business, increasing economic activity and employment.

RDA Wheatbelt is now working on the implementation plan for these Inclusive Communities grants.

Please contact the administration office admin@rdawheatbelt.com.au or call 9575 1888 for more information.

..................................................................................

RDA Wheatbelt Quarterly Report on Activities and Outcomes

Welcome to the first of a regular update on the activities and achievements of RDA Wheatbelt. The aim of this publication is to introduce new activities, update on ongoing projects and to answer some of the questions as to what RDA Wheatbelt does.

Download the RDAW Jan-Mar 2018 Quarterly Report.

Photo credit: A Touch of Life Photography

ARENA funding spans the entire innovation chain from research to large-scale deployment. Accelerating the affordability of new technologies and build investor confidence in renewable energy projects now and into the future. Funding includes, $10m towards activities focused on 5-minute ahead self-forecasting for wind and solar farms, closing 9 May. $12.5m to activities focused on Distributed Energy Resources EOIs closing 7 May.

Volunteer Education.The Aust Gov’t has established a million-dollar scholarship fund to equip volunteers with the skills and leadership required in the emergency and disaster management sector. Volunteers may be eligible for financial support to access accredited vocational and higher education qualifications in emergency and disaster management fields. Closing 14 May.

AgriEducate interdisciplinary essay competition aimed at enabling tertiary students to apply their degree-specific knowledge to an essay topic concerning agriculture and food security. Five categories: 1. Science, 2. Engineer/IT/Maths, 3. Arts/Social Sciences/Agricultural Extension, 4. Law, 5. Economics/Commerce/Business. Each category has a $500 first prize, $150 second prize and a $50 third prize. Students must write and submit a 1000 word essay. Closing 31 May.

GrainGrowers competition for children between 5 and 18 living on a grains farm anywhere in Australia – or who has relatives who do – to tell the story about your family’s history on a grains farm, which blends together the past and the future. Prizes include a drone, a goPro and an iPad. Closing 17 Sept.

Unlocking carbon potential. WA State Gov't will back a number of pilot sequestration offset projects by pastoralists, which focus on grazing strategies that increase regeneration of native vegetation and in the process extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

A national survey on the needs and issues using digital technology and agricultural data. The P2D (Accelerating Precision Agriculture to Decision Agriculture) survey is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture and Water Resources as part of its Rural R&D for Profit program.

Youth Innovation Grants. $10,000 in seed funding to assist not-for-profit community-based organisations in rural, regional and remote Australia adopt and act on one of the seven innovative Heywire project ideas. Closing 14 May.

AMP’s Tomorrow Fund. Open to individuals of all ages, walks of life, interests and abilities who have put a lot of time and effort into reaching a goal that will positively impact the community, but need help to take it to the next level. Grants ranging from $5,000 to $100,000. Closing 17 May.

Landing Pads Program. Provides Aust start-up businesses with a workspace for up to 90 days in a global innovation hub. The space includes access to coaching, investors, customers, training opportunities, tailored networking events and state-of-the-art facilities to develop their business model. Closing 21 May.

Grants for Women. Funding of up to $5,000 is available for one-off activities or initiatives, with a duration of up to six months that contribute to the program's priority areas. Funding of up to $10,000 is available for longer term (over six months), strategic initiatives involving a range of partners that will contribute to creating sustainable or systemic change in the program's priority areas: Women's economic independence, Women in leadership, Women's Consultative Fora Outcomes. Closing 30 June.

Local Capability Fund - WA Industry Participation Strategy. Provides small to medium WA businesses with funding of up to $20,000 (ex GST) to cover 50% of eligible costs of purchases or services to improve their competitiveness and better prepare them to win State Gov’t supply contracts. Closing 30 Nov.

Farm Water Supply Planning Scheme WA. Provides commercial farms in WA with funding of up to $750 in total to fund both an audit and site inspection for improvements to your water supply. Ongoing.