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Week beginning 14 June 2021

Regional Development Australia National Forum

The Hon Nola Marino MP, Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories hosted the annual Regional Development Australia (RDA) National Forum this week.

The Forum provides an opportunity for RDAs to come together, to network with representatives from three levels of Government and to hear from experts in the field of regional economic development.

This year’s theme was Growing Stronger Regions Together with sessions that focused on regionalisation, the role of infrastructure and financing, growing economic futures, data to build the business case and vertical integrated policy-making.

Regional Development Australia Limestone Coast's (RDALC) Deputy Chair, Alan Richardson was invited to present on the Bioenergy Connect Program which has been successfully delivered by our organisation over the past 5 years. 

"This was a fantastic opportunity to highlight the statewide success achieved by the program," said Alan. "During its time, this program has invested $175K into bioenergy projects in SA and has been matched by $11M in investment".  

The conference also provided a fantastic opportunity for regional issues to be raised at a national level, with Alan speaking directly with Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack on transport infrastructure needs for the Greater Green Triangle. 

Other presentations made at the forum framed around drivers of regional growth including: infrastructure, human capital, regional employment, leadership and collaboration, amenity and liveability and sustainable natural resources.

EcoPlas Breathes New Life into Old Wheelie Bins


Did you know that the broken wheelie bins of Mount Gambier have been given a new life? Prior to EcoPlas developing a recycling solution, broken wheelie bins were sent to landfill. Now thanks to Willie Van Niekerk and his team, they are cut up, ground up, extruded and fabricated into park benches and posts. This week Rachael Ashman, our Manager, Business and Workforce Development, spent some time with Willie and his team learning more about the process.
 
EcoPlas process empty bottles (HDPE), milk bottle lids and wheelie bins into small flakes and granules, which are then blended with a master-batch containing colour and UV-stabilisers, before extruding the final products. The key products produced by EcoPlas are durable poly fence droppers and park furniture. Unlike treated timber park benches, or those made from a plastic/sawdust combination, at the end of their life the furniture and posts made by EcoPlas can be recycled again up to 9 times.

“It is great to see a new local start-up finding solutions to some of our biggest waste issues” said Rachael – “being able to sit on a park bench that days before was a wheel bin and some bottle caps is pretty amazing”.

“We have been really fortunate that the City of Mount Gambier Council have supported our start-up” said Willie at the EcoPlas facility located at the Waste Transfer Station – “Being able to spend the last few months based here trialling products and processes has been invaluable”.  

Willie and his team, only commencing operation last October, are already planning new product lines. If you would like find out more, visit www.ecoplasaustralia.com.au

Grants Guide Part 3

What to do After Your Grant Submission


This week we bring you the final installment of our 3-part Grants Guide. This section focuses on what to do once you have received a "successful" grant application notification. 

if you missed out on the previous editions, you can read them here:
Read Part 3: here >

Border Restrictions


The Cross Border Associated Direction has been updated in South Australia. The Cross Border-Associated Direction No 17 came into effect at 2:00pm on Thursday 17 June 2021.

Travel restrictions are in place for all travellers from NSW and Victoria. 
  • A table of the restrictions related to Victorian travellers can be found here and the link to the Victorian exposure sites can be found here
  • For restrictions related to NSW travellers, click here and to see the list of NSW exposure sites, visit the Government of New South Wales website.

Cross Border Community Members

Cross border corridor means: the area 70km either side of the border between South Australia and Victoria. Therefore, anyone in this corridor is considered a Cross Border Community Member.

People living in cross border communities are still able to enter South Australia, but if you have been in Greater Melbourne, you will be subject to Level 4 requirements. If you have been outside the cross border corridor, but only in regional Victoria, you are subject to modified Level 3 requirements. 

Cross Border Community Members must have a current Cross Border Travel Registration form. Victorian Residents and South Australians travelling into Victoria should comply with current Victorian restrictions. A map of the SA/VIC 70km border corridor can be found here.

If you require further information you can call the SA COVID-19 Information Line on 1800 253 787 between the hours of 9am to 5pm, 7 days per week or go to the SA Health website at www.sahealth.sa.gov.au or www.sa.gov.au/covid-19

New Agriculture Visa Announced

 
This week saw the announcement of a new dedicated agriculture visa for UK nationals and passport holders from 10 other countries. It comes after the Australian Government agreed to scrap a requirement for British Working Holiday Makers to undertake farm work (or rural/remote work) before extending their working holidays, under an in-principle free trade agreement with the UK. Deputy Prime Minister McCormack stated that the subsequent labour shortage would be filled by the dedicated agriculture visa. He indicated the new agriculture visa will be delivered within three months.
 
The new visa will be available to citizens from 10 ASEAN nations - Thailand, Cambodia, Brunei, Myanmar, Philippines, Malaysia, Laos, Vietnam, Singapore and Indonesia as well as UK nationals. Limited details have been released at this time. More to come.

Local Accommodation Providers Become More Energy Efficient


The Hotel Energy Uplift Program provides grants to support small and medium hotels to reduce their energy use, improve energy productivity and deliver carbon abatement. Successful grant recipients have been announced, including a good representation from the Limestone Coast. 

Congratulations to:
  • Grand Hotel, Millicent
  • Avalon Motel, Mount Gambier
  • The Presidential, Mount Gambier
  • Apartments on Tolmie, Mount Gambier
  • Must @ Coonawarra, Penola
  • Robe Harbour View Motel, Robe
Further details of the program can be found here. Details of all grant recipients and projects are here.

Upcoming Webinars & Workshops

Scaling Up: Next Level Digital Marketing
City of Sydney: Reboot webinars
Monday 21 June
Register here
 
Branding Tips for Entrepreneurs: The Ultimate Design Guide
General Assembly
Monday 21 June
Register here

State of the Nation 2021
CEDA
Wednesday 23 to Friday 25 June
Register here

WiBRD June Supporting each other Luncheon
Women in Business and Regional Development (WIBRD)
Friday 25 June
Register here

Boost Your Business with Podcasting
City of Sydney: Reboot webinars
Monday 28 June
Register here
Selling Your Business
Small Business Commissioner SA
Tuesday 6 July
Chesser House, Adelaide
Register here

SA State of the State 2021
CEDA
Tuesday 13 July
Register here

Social Media Success for Small Business
Small Business Commissioner SA
Tuesday 20 July
Chesser House, Adelaide
Register here

DairySA Innovation Day
Dairy SA
Wednesday 21 July
Register here
For more upcoming business specific webinars click here >

RDA Stakeholder Survey


You are invited to complete the 2021 National RDA survey. This is an opportunity to provide your feedback on the effectiveness of the RDA program in supporting economic development. As an RDA stakeholder, your feedback would be greatly appreciated and will be used to drive improvements in the program.

The RDA program is a national network of committees made up of local leaders who work with all levels of government, business, and community groups to support and broker economic development opportunities for their regions. There are 47 RDA Committees which focus on the economic development and jobs growth of their designated region. In addition, there are five capital city RDA Committees which are located in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide.

This short survey should only take a few minutes to complete and is open until 22 June 2021. Please click here to complete the survey.
 
If you are having any difficulties accessing the survey or you have any concerns about the legitimacy of the survey, please contact the RDA program team, update@infrastructure.gov.au

This survey is being conducted by ARTD Consultants on behalf of The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.

2021 GTTIA Nominations Open Now

June 10 - August 15


Now is your opportunity to nominate an individual or a company you know from the local timber industry who are outstanding at what they do.

With 9 new award categories, the event is set to celebrate the industry’s innovative, sustainable and environmentally friendly practices within the region.

The nomination process is simple, visit www.gttia.com to complete the online form. With new judging criteria delivered in an easy to answer format, the time to submit a nomination has been reduced and simplified. Anyone can submit a nomination and support the industry’s outstanding contributors.

Start your nomination here

2021 South Australia Premier's Food and Beverage Industry Awards


Don't miss out on entering the 2021 South Australian Premier's Food and Beverage Industry Awards. 


This is your chance to showcase your achievements and access the consumer profile and business benefits available to entrants, finalists and winners in this prestigious Awards program.

Information session - recording now available
If you missed the information session on 7 June, you can still access the recording  here . It provides guidance from the judges on what they are looking for in a winning entry, information on the Foodland Retail Ready Program and more. 
 
Need assistance to prepare your application?
Food South Australia can refer you to professional award writers to help you write or polish up your entry. Simply email us or phone 8303 9435 to find out more. Entries close Monday 5 July.

Australia Post Community Grants

The 2021 Australia Post Community Grants Program provides grants of up to $10,000 to eligible community-led, local projects that connect individuals and communities to improve mental health and wellbeing.

Eligible organisations can apply for funding for equipment, project evaluation, travel costs, IT and more. Applications close Sunday 4 July 2021. Find out more here

Safer Communities Fund – Round 6 – Infrastructure Grants

Update your security infrastructure to protect your community


This round of the Safer Communities Fund gives schools and pre-schools, places of religious worship, community organisations and local councils grants of up to $500,000 for crime prevention initiatives aimed at reducing crime, violence, anti-social behaviour and/or other security risks driven by racial and/or religious intolerance. The grant amount will be up to 100% of eligible project costs. 

Project activities can include the installation of security infrastructure such as: 

  • fixed or mobile CCTV cameras
  • security lighting, fencing and gates
  • security and alarm systems
  • security doors, intercoms and swipe access
More information, eligibility criteria and a full list of project activities here. Applications close 5 August 2021. 
 
Looking for a grant? Check out the lastest grants >

Queensland Drives Australia's Population Growth While Victoria Declines

In today's blog Glen from .id unpacks the December 2020 quarter population data release, as part of the ongoing monitoring of new population data. The blog focuses on how natural increase, overseas migration and interstate migration combine to tell different stories of population growth for Australia’s states and territories.

Read the blog here >

Carpet Court

3 Positions Available!


Carpet Court in Naracoorte are seeking an estimator, carpet layer and floor covering installer to join their thriving family business. Tasks will include carpet measuring and installation both in the Limestone Coast and Casterton/Edenhope areas.

Those interested in one of these positions must have the following attributes:
  • Industry experience
  • Attention to detail
  • Trustworthy, reliable and honest
  • Current drivers licence
  • Current fork-lift licence preferred or willing to apply for one
  • Excellent time management skills
Salary to be negotiated dependent on qualifications. To find out more about the positions on offer or to apply, please email your resume to Nicole at naracoorte@carpetcourt.com.au

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Regional Development Australia Limestone Coast.
PO Box 1445, Mount Gambier, SA 5290, Australia

 
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