RDASNA conducted a comprehensive engagement initiative across the entire region. Photo: RDASNA.
The NSW Government has taken a fresh approach to its investment in regional NSW to help better meet the needs of all communities.
Regional Development Australia’s amalgamation of its Southern NSW and ACT networks to form RDASNA will better align its activities to represent how our regional communities live, work and play together, according to RDANSA CEO Olivia West.
She says the focus of this new structure and governance is to elevate the conversation from individual LGAs to uncover “strategic themes” across the region.
“We want to know what the focus projects are that will unlock regional growth and really drive that over the coming years,” she says.
“It’s based on the premise that across our region there are similarities around many of the issues faced, but also asking, ‘How do we as a region work together to build our own strength? What key investments might be occurring in one LGA from which all may benefit? How can we collaborate around seeking key investment?’ Because we are more powerful together.”
Olivia grew up in ACT and Orange and came to RDASNA with more than 20 years of experience in government, including as Director of Central West, Director of Bushfire Recovery Programs and Director of Insights, Analytics & Improvement.
The new board comprises representatives from across the region with vested interests in ensuring the RDASNA develops a strategic vision for investments, carefully considered at the regional level, to support the region’s growth.
It is chaired by Yass woman Rowena Abbey, who was awarded an OAM in 2023 for her service to local government and the community of Yass. The former Mayor of Yass Valley Council and former chair of the Canberra Region Joint Organisation (CRJO) has over 35 years of experience in finance, risk management, governance and leadership in various industries in both the public and private sectors.
The deputy chair is ACT’s Ross MacDiarmid AO, who brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles, including as chair of RDAACT.
The RDASNA board of directors from across the region with vested interest its success: Lynne O’Brien (Goulburn Mulwaree), Stephen Wentworth (Wingecarribee), Fay Steward (Bega), Warwick Winn (Eurobodalla), Genevieve Jacobs AM (ACT), Leanne Atkinson (Bega), Rowena Abbey OAM (chair, Yass), Ross McDiarmid AO (deputy chair, ACT), Suzanne Gearing (Queanbeyan Palerang). Photo: Michelle Kroll.
They are joined on the board by Hands Across Canberra CEO Genevieve Jacobs AM, Bega Aboriginal Land Council CEO Leanne Atkinson, Goulburn’s Lynne O’Brien, Eurobodalla Shire Council General Manager Warwick Winn, Canberra and Region Food Collaborative Deputy Director and Braidwood Business Chamber Chair Suzanne Gearing, Wingecarribee’s Stephen Wentworth and Local Land Services South East Region Chair and Tulgeen Disability Services Group Chair Fay Steward.
The structure also includes a specialist researching strategic themes in the region, such as housing stress and economic growth, a team focused on advocacy work supporting changes required for the region, and two regional development managers located in Moss Vale and Bermagui.
“That’s about ensuring we have local people working and interacting with local stakeholders to ensure we have that really nuanced understanding of how our communities are functioning,” Olivia says.
“Under that, we have local ‘connectors’ that live in the region, connecting essential workers with the information they need to choose to move to regions and, importantly, to decide to stay. So far, we’ve successfully relocated about 80 essential workers into the region.”
Since launching in April this year, RDASNA has conducted a comprehensive engagement initiative across the entire region. A broad mix of stakeholders – from community groups to businesses and local governments – were invited to its “regional connect” events as part of its broader “listening tours.” During these tours, RDASNA shared information about the new structure, answered questions and gathered insights into regional needs, priorities and opportunities to guide its strategic objectives.
Key challenges emerged in affordable housing, business development support, skilled workforce access and infrastructure needs. Opportunities included increasing collaboration with local networks, improving access to business resources and strategic planning to support workforce pathways across the region.
They also conducted community surveys about key themes at a regional level to inform a regional narrative and vision. From that emerged focus areas of population and liveability, employment and training, business growth and innovation, sustainability and resilience and regional development.
“This will all be used to outline in the new year a strategy for how we’ll be delivering to the region a vision for Southern NSW and ACT,” Olivia says.
“We’re looking forward to working with all stakeholders on this, ensuring we’re on the same page, and shoring up credibility when we approach the government with recommendations.”
For more information, contact RDASNA.
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