RDA Barwon South West E-Newsletter - September 2010

WHAT IS REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUSTRALIA

Regional Development Australia (RDA) is a partnership between the Australian, state and territory and local governments to support the growth and development of Australia's regions.

The RDA Barwon South West Committee (RDA Committee) is one of 55 RDA Committees across Australia.  The Committee comprises of representatives from business, industry, government, education and training.  It was established with a mandate to provide advice to both the Victorian and Australian governments.

Click here for further information regarding RDA Barwon South West Committee.

KEY RDA BARWON SOUTH WEST ACTIVITY

The RDA Committee has released its Annual Report on Outcomes to 30 June 2010.  Click here to read a copy of the report.

The RDA Committee has provided its Advice to Government document to the Victorian and Australian Governments.  Click here to read a copy of the report.

The Advice to Government document highlighted three priority projects:

• Princes Highway West
• Green Triangle Freight Action Plan
• Geelong Cultural Precinct.

Since this advice was provided, the incoming Australian Government has committed to duplicating Princes Highway West between Winchelsea and Colac.  Click here to read the media release.

The RDA Committee, in partnership with regional tourism stakeholders, will soon commence work on the Great Ocean Road Tourism Opportunities Strategy.  The aim of the strategy is to develop a focal document that identifies new tourism product and articulates a detailed implementation plan to develop sustainable tourism in the region.

The RDA Committee is working with regional stakeholders to develop a Barwon South West Higher Education Attainment Strategy that will identify actions that will increase higher education attainment rates in the region.

For further information regarding the above mentioned projects please contact Andrew Wear, Regional Director on 5223 2104 or rda.barwonsouthwest@rdv.vic.gov.au.

REGIONAL PLANNING

The Great South Coast region, with the support of the RDA Committee and more than 200 stakeholders has finalised and launched the Great South Coast Regional Strategic Plan.  The plan explores the opportunities and challenges the region will face as it grows over the next decade and beyond.  Click here to read the plan.

The G21 Geelong Region Alliance, with the support of the RDA Committee has identified 15 Priority Projects that will give effect to the G21 Geelong Region Plan and provide social, environmental and economic benefits to the Geelong region.  Click here to read the priority projects report.

The RDA Committee has provided both the Great South Coast Regional Strategic Plan and the G21 Geelong Region Plan to the incoming Australian Government.

NATIONAL BROADBAND NETWORK

The National Broadband Network project is an Australian Government initiative which will deliver high speed broadband to all Australians.  The RDA Committee believes that the roll-out of the network is a significant opportunity for regional Australia and has the potential to underpin the Barwon South West Region's economy, future growth and international competitiveness.  Click here for further information regarding the National Broadband Network.

VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT NEWS

Ready for Tomorrow - A Blueprint for Regional and Rural Victoria was launched in Ballarat by the Premier John Brumby and Minister Jacinta Allan.

The $630.7 million plan will provide the framework for all of Regional Development Victoria’s work in the months and years ahead.  Highlights include:

• a $260 million boost to the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund
• a new $103.6 million Tertiary Education Opportunities Package
• $50 million package of dedicated support for small towns
• a fresh approach to regional strategic planning.

Please contact Regional Development Victoria in Geelong on 5223 2104 or Warrnambool on 5561 4135 to discuss potential funding applications.

AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT NEWS

A minority Australian Government has now been sworn in with the support of a number of independent MPs and the Greens Party.  As a result of negotiations that led to the swearing in of the government, it appears that considerable additional focus will be given to regional Australia.  As well as substantial funding and a new Regional Development department, it appears as though the role of the RDA Committees is likely to be substantially strengthened.  The details of this are still being worked through.  Click here to read the agreement between the independent MPs and the Prime Minister.

The Australian Government offers a range of programs, services, grants and initiatives that promote investment and development in regional Australia.  Click here for further information regarding Australian Government programs.

The latest round of the Workshop Industry Intelligence and Networking (WIIN) program has been announced.  The WIIN program is an element of the Enterprise Connect initiative.  Grants of up to $50,000 are provided to eligible organisations to deliver workshops, seminars and a range of other activities to small and medium business to help businesses reach their full potential.  Click here for further information regarding the WIIN program.

FUNDING NEWS

The Australian and Victorian Governments have committed $37 million and $10 million respectively towards the $102 million Australian Future Fibres Research & Innovation Centre at Deakin University Waurn Ponds.  Click here to read the media release.

The Victorian Government through its Regional Infrastructure Development Fund has committed funds to the following projects:

• $25 million towards the Stage 3 Re-development of Skilled Stadium in Geelong
• $2 million to upgrade Avalon Airport
• $1.9 million to upgrade the Camperdown Industrial Water Reclamation Plant
• $1 million for the Barrett Burston Water Recovery Program in Geelong
• $850,000 to upgrade the Intermodal Terminal at Warrnambool
• $585,000 for local port upgrade in Warrnambool and $450,000 for port upgrade in Apollo Bay
• $448,000 to upgrade the Colac Otway Performing Arts and Culture Centre
• $758,000 for Geoexchange Heating project in Lorne.

Please contact Regional Development Victoria in Geelong on 5223 2104 or Warrnambool on 5561 4135 to discuss potential funding applications.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Deakin University has introduced a new Master's program, the Master of Contemporary Leadership, designed with the learning needs of mid career adults in mind.  The program is centred on individual learning needs; it recognises prior learning and is delivered flexibly.  Click here for further information regarding the program.

Please contact Regional Development Victoria in Geelong on 5223 2104 or Warrnambool on 5561 4135 if you would like to learn more about these projects.

If this e-newsletter was forwarded to you and you would like to be added to the mailing list please email here. 

If you would like to unsubscribe, please email here.