RDA Wheatbelt (build 1.018)

RDA Wheatbelt is determined to maintain it’s ‘on the ground’ approach to supporting the region and developing ‘local solutions to local issues’ so one may ask these days ….. why do we have a Research, Evaluation and Project Support (REPS) Officer on the team. This sounds like a fancy name for a desk jockey.

The reality is, that the days of stating in your application or submission “If we build it, they will come” has long gone and the only way to build a strong case is to provide a statement of evidence of the impact your project will have. An example of an evidence based statement could be “there is a 68% probability that there will be a 34% increase in access to the new facility by 15 to 24 year old people 2 years after completion“. This level of detail takes time and skills to access, so we have Chris. Throughout October and the first two weeks of November Chris supported applicants for the Regional Economic Development Grants and the Building Better Regions Fund. Over these six weeks Chris researched and reviewed 81 pieces of literature to gain evidence to support the claims being made in 6 applications that he was assisting proponents with.

Wheatbelt born and bred, Chris left the Brookton farm and followed his family to Perth for the schooling years. As an adult student Chris achieved a Graduate Diploma AgriBusiness, Master of Philosophy (Agriculture) and after working with WACOSS and Curtin, has now been with us for 3 years. Chris has been known to escape the desk and with a background in agriculture, climate change, Aboriginal culture and a passion for the region, he is a vital member of the team.

We are keen to maintain our hands on approach to assisting community groups, local governments and businesses be successful in accessing funding programs and investment opportunities. So in 2019 we will be looking at how best to build the capacity and capability of our region to find and analyse economic and social impact research to use in developing evidence based statements in funding applications. We can’t duplicate Chris but we can help people understand how to do what he does!

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The Cross Sector Supply Chain Skills Project has been commissioned by the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC). Supply chains are all around us and fundamental to how we live. The food we eat, clothes we wear, buildings we inhabit, transport and equipment we use are all examples of how we benefit from multiple supply chains each and every day. It’s essential that industry make its voice heard on the skills needed by Australia’s supply chains. User friendly feedback process. Closing 7 Jan 2019.

Amendments to legislation are to be introduced to provide relief to WA farmers to better reflect the current practices of secondary producers. One of the changes included will be to provide transfer duty exemptions for the progressive transfer of a farm from one family member to another.

Single Touch Payroll is a change to the way employers report their employees' tax and super information to the ATO. Legislation to extend Single Touch Payroll to include employers with 19 or less employees is currently before parliament and aims to commence 1 July 2019. Exemptions to STP reporting will be available if you have no internet or an unreliable connection.

Your ABN details are used by emergency services and Government agencies to help identify your business during times of disaster, so it's important to keep your details up to date.

Smart Farms Small Grants. $5000 to $200,000 to support the adoption of best practices that improves the management and quality of our natural resources and increases on-farm productivity. Closing 11 Jan.

Small Environmental Grant Scheme. Up to $10,000 to support projects that will make a positive difference to the natural living environment, in land, sea or air, rural or urban. Closing 31 Jan.

Healthway Grants. Over $50,000 Sport, Arts and Community Events grants closes 31 Jan and the $5,000 – $50,000 category closes 27 Feb.

The Cyber Security Small Business Program. Up to $2,100 (max of 50%) of the cost of a certified small business health check for businesses with 19 or fewer employees. Understanding cyber security vulnerabilities. Funding until 2019/20.