Activities
NMRDA is involved in a range of regional activities that aim to address issues faced by Melbourne’s North.
- Chinese medicinal herbs: Research conducted over recent years has identified three Chinese medicinal plants that can be successfully grown commercially in the region.. MORE…
- Export Expo: More than 320 people attended a successful local expo that showcased the region’s exporters and provided new opportunities for local companies. MORE…
- Commercial accommodation: A shortage of office and commercial accommodation across Melbourne’s North is being addressed by a detailed report and follow up action. MORE…
- Comprehensive regional research: Key reports on the region are leading development and providing reference information for local stakeholders. MORE…
- Melbourne’s North working group: Economic development representatives from all councils in the region are working together to address key issues. MORE…
- Training students to meet industry needs: Two local secondary colleges have received Trade Training Centre funding that will create new pathways for young people and address local skill shortages. MORE…
- Regional marketing campaign: In partnership with NORTH Link and the seven local councils, NMRDA has developed a proposal for a local advocacy and marketing campaign. MORE…
- Regional business efficiency network: This project will extend a successful Business Efficiency Network across Melbourne’s North. MORE…
- Skill shortages: A Skill Shortages Coordinator has been appointed to service the northern Melbourne region. MORE…
- Shape Your Future Thomastown/Lalor: NMRDA is involved with this project, which plans infrastructure development in an area of economic and social disadvantage. MORE…
- Creative arts business incubator: NMRDA was involved in planning for the establishment and ongoing operation this incubator, which opened in July 2010. MORE…
- NBN Co: boosting regional productivity: Productivity benefits of accessing the new high speed broadband program was one topic discussed at a recent regional forum. MORE…
- Plenty Food Group: NMRDA is working with this food manufacturing industry network, (representing over 150 businesses) to identify the sector’s future growth needs, MORE…
- Leadership program for disadvantaged young women: NMRDA is partnering with the Inner Northern LLEN to deliver a leadership and mentoring program for young women. MORE …
- Real industry job interviews: Over 400 students will benefit from a new program that provides information, preparation, a simulated job interview and feedback. MORE…
Chinese medicinal herbs
Research conducted over last eight years has identified three Chinese medicinal herbs that can be successfully grown in the City of Whittlesea. NMRDA has agreed to fund a project that will look at how production and commercialisation of these plants can successfully occur.
Export Expo
More than 320 people attended a very successful Export Expo, which was held to showcase the region’s exporters and provide new business opportunities for local companies. The expo included 52 exhibitors and representatives from 32 countries.
National and international buyers, Trade Commissioners, ambassadors and diplomatic representatives joined senior staff from Austrade at the event to learn about local products and businesses, and to look at new opportunities. The expo was held at La Trobe University and opened by the Federal Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin. Key partners in this initiative were NMRDA, NORTH Link, La Trobe University and the Plenty Food Group. The event was so successful that it is now likely to be held annually. The event was so successful that it may become an annual activity, with a second expo planned for later on in 2011.
Commercial accommodation
The significant shortage of office and commercial accommodation across Melbourne’s North continues to be an issue of concern and requires a concerted effort by local stakeholders to ensure that local businesses continue to grow. Northern Exposure: an analysis of office and commercial accommodation issues in Melbourne’s North is a detailed report that offers a range of recommendations to address barriers to development of the required accommodation.
NMRDA is working with NORTH Link, the local industry group, to develop partnerships that will lead to implementing the report’s recommendations and contributing further to sustainable economic and employment growth in the region.
Comprehensive regional research
Two key reports have led regional development across Melbourne’s North over recent years, providing reference information for governments at all levels, business, educational institutions and other regional stakeholders.
Growing Melbourne’s North: developing an integrated economy was published in 2003 by NMRDA’s predecessor, the Northern Melbourne Area Consultative Committee. It provided stakeholders with a research document on which to base their plans for the future and was widely accepted and used within the region.
In 2009 local partners (including NMRDA) published Melbourne’s North: the new knowledge economy, a detailed analysis of today’s regional economy. This report provides a framework for policy and action, detailing issues and actions that stakeholders must take to ensure the region grows and prospers. It offers a detailed analysis of the region’s economy that is intended as a catalyst for discussion, strategic thinking, and formal planning and policy processes.
NMRDA is about to conduct a comprehensive study on the manufacturing sector in northern Melbourne. It will profile the local manufacturing industry as it currently stands and make recommendations for future growth of key manufacturing sectors. The research should be completed by September 2011.
Melbourne’s North working group
Economic development representatives from all local councils in Melbourne’s North have formed a group, chaired by NMRDA, to address issues raised in the Melbourne’s North: the new knowledge economy report. The group meets regularly to prioritise issues and decide on actions to be taken.
Training students to meet industry needs
NMRDA has been a key partner with Northland Secondary College in developing a successful funding application for a $11.7 million Trade Training Centre. Construction will commence in November 2010 and the new facility will open in early 2012. It will provide much-needed skilled pathways for young people and, at the same time, meet local industry skill needs.
Also, NMRDA is pleased to announce that Peter Lalor Secondary College will receive $6.4 million to build a Trade Training Centre. NMRDA has worked on this initiative over the past two years with a range of local partners including Hume Whittlesea Local Learning and Employment Network, City of Whittlesea, Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (Northern Region), and local schools.
Regional marketing campaign
In partnership with NORTH Link and the seven local councils, NMRDA has developed a project proposal for an advocacy and marketing campaign to increase investment attraction and business growth for the region. The project will implement recommendations from previous research by the Northern Melbourne Area Consultative Committee, NMRDA and regional partners.
A project proposal has been developed for additional funding of the project through the Department of Business and Innovation.
Regional business efficiency network
NMRDA and the City of Hume are working together to develop a proposal to expand the council’s successful Business Efficiency Network (BEN) across the northern Melbourne region. This network provides information and support to businesses to reduce their impact on the environment and evolve to become low carbon, sustainable businesses.
BEN proposes to develop a series of case studies on the greening of local supply chains, disseminate learning and knowledge, investigate and establish an industrial ecology program, conduct a study on investment opportunities for new green enterprises, and engage and provide learning opportunities for local business.
Skill shortages
A Skill Shortages Coordinator has now been appointed to service the northern Melbourne region, thanks to a funding application by NORTH Link with the assistance of NMRDA and funding from the Victorian Department of Business and Innovation. NMRDA is a member of the project steering committee.
Shape Your Future Thomastown/Lalor
NMRDA was nominated by the Victorian Department of Planning and Community Development to become a member of the executive of the Shape Your Future Thomastown/Lalor Project, which plans infrastructure development in this area of high economic and social disadvantage.
Creative arts business incubator
As a representative on the board of the Darebin Enterprise Centre, NMRDA has directly assisted in the planning, establishment and ongoing operation of a creative arts small business incubator in Northcote, which opened in July 2010. The new facility caters for the growing concentration of artists and professionals living in the area. A wide range of services are provided to meet the needs of tenants to ensure they successfully graduate from start-up to established and viable businesses. Today the incubator is almost at capacity, reinforcing the fact that the project is meeting an established need.
NBN Co: boosting regional productivity
The significant productivity benefits of accessing the Australian Government’s high speed broadband program was one of the topics discussed at a recent regional forum. Organised by NMRDA, the forum was attended by representatives from the seven councils in the region and other key stakeholders. A presentation by NBN Co highlighted the planning, collaboration and logistics required to facilitate the rollout of high speed broadband across the region.
There was strong interest from attendees to ensure that northern Melbourne gains early access to the broadband rollout program. NMRDA will continue to work with NBN Co and local councils to achieve this objective and plan for maximising future productivity benefits. An NBN Co workshop is being planned for May 2011.
Plenty Food Group
The Plenty Food Group is a food manufacturing industry network representing over 150 businesses. NMRDA is working with this group and the Cities of Whittlesea and Hume to identify the future growth needs of this important sector, which currently employs over 5000 people. NMRDA has agreed to fund a review of the Group’s operations, with a view to further improve operations and identify new business opportunities.
Leadership program for disadvantaged young women
NMRDA is partnering with the Inner Northern Local Learning and Employment Network to deliver a leadership and mentoring program for 15 young women with an Indigenous or culturally and linguistically diverse background.
Real industry job interviews
In 2011, over 400 students will benefit from a program that provides them with information and preparation and culminates in a simulated job interview with a real employer followed by structured feedback. NMRDA will partner with RMIT University and the Hume Whittlesea and Inner Northern Local Learning and Employment Networks to deliver this project.
