RDA Riverina - facilitating regional growth and prosperity

Business NSW has announced the winners of the 2025 Riverina Murray Regional Business Awards, with Griffith-based company Flavourtech taking out the prestigious title of Business of the Year. The awards ceremony was held at Piccolo Family Farm in Griffith on Friday 19 September.

The Australian Government is investing $3.6 million in four new projects to improve safety and comfort for truck drivers travelling on regional freight routes. The funding is part of the broader $140 million Heavy Vehicle Rest Area (HVRA) initiative, which has now supported 25 new and upgraded rest areas across Australia.

The Australian Government has released an updated National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy, along with a new five-year National Action Plan, to strengthen Australia’s freight networks and supply chains.

The Australian Government has completed 131 broadcasting resilience projects across Australia to ensure local radio services remain operational during emergencies. Delivered through the $20 million Broadcasting Resilience Program (BRP), these upgrades are helping communities stay connected, safe, and informed when it matters most.

One of Sir Donald Bradman’s iconic Baggy Green caps has been acquired by the National Museum of Australia, thanks to funding from the Australian Government’s National Cultural Heritage Account.

The Australian Government has announced a major upgrade to the National Broadband Network (NBN), bringing faster and more reliable internet to approximately 622,000 households and businesses across Australia.

The three-year upgrade of the Newell Highway between Narrabri and Moree is now complete, delivering major improvements to one of regional New South Wales’ most important freight routes.

The Australian Government has announced a landmark $1.1 billion investment to accelerate the domestic production of low carbon liquid fuels, marking a major step towards cleaner energy and stronger fuel security.

The Australian Government is taking significant steps to improve connectivity across Australia with the release of draft legislation for the Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation (UOMO). This initiative aims to ensure that mobile voices and text services are accessible outdoors almost anywhere Australians can see the sky.

The Australian Government has announced a major investment in grassroots sport with the launch of the Game On: Teaming Up for Climate Action program. This initiative will deliver $50 million over four years to support up to 500 community sporting clubs across Australia in taking practical climate action.

The EnergyConnect project team are continuing to advance construction activities on the transmission like from Dinawan, NSW to Wagga Wagga Via Lockhart.

The Australian Government is seeking public feedback on the Draft Upper Murrumbidgee River River - Drought Operating Framework, which outlines how water will be managed during drought conditions over the next two years.

On August 6, 2025, Regional Development Australia (RDA) NSW & ACT brought together a powerful coalition of regional leaders, government officials, and community advocates at NSW Parliament House for the Friends of Regional NSW event.

A ground breaking trial of new rail safety technology has officially launched at the Callaghans Lane Level Crossing near Quirindi, marking a major step forward in protecting regional communities from level crossing accidents.

The Australian Government has announced a major investment of over $63 million to improve road safety and infrastructure across regional and rural communities. This funding, delivered through the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program (SLRIP), will support 23 new projects aimed at saving lives, reducing travel times, and enhancing connectivity.

National Skills Week 2025 is set to run from 25-31 August, spotlighting the transformative power of Vocational Education and Training (VET) especially in regional and remote Australia, where demand for skilled workers is rapidly rising.

The Australian Government has announced an $8 million investment in the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital to support the development of a new research and education facility. This funding is part of the Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program and aims to enhance wildlife care, research, and community education.

Last week we hosted An Evening with the Australian Defence Force at the CSU Riverina Playhouse. This significant evening brought together senior Defence leaders, government officials, educators, and industry stakeholders to spotlight the national and regional importance of Defence assets located in the Riverina-Murray.

Regional farming leaders have issued an urgent call for immediate financial and practical support at the Southern NSW Drought Summit, held on Monday, 4 August.

Eastern Riverina Arts (ERA) is on the lookout for a creative, strategic and multi-skilled Communications and Engagement Coordinator to shape the voice and presence of one of the region’s leading arts organisations.

RMIT Online, in collaboration with Deloitte Access Economics, has released a powerful new sustainability report titled “Towards a Green-Skilled Workforce” and it’s a wakeup call for Australian businesses.

A new report has highlighted a joint emergency response by five local councils in northern Victoria during the 2022 floods, one of the most severe weather events in the state’s history.

The EnergyConnect project team are continuing to advance construction activities on the transmission line from Dinawan, NSW to Wagga Wagga via Lockhart.

icare has officially launched its new, state-of-the-art Lung Health Mobile Clinic, continuing a long-standing commitment to supporting the respiratory health of workers across New South Wales.

A new resource from RE-Alliance, an independent not-for-profit, is helping farmers, landholders and regional communities understand what happens when renewable energy projects like wind and solar farms reach the end of their operational life.

The committee in Investment, Industry and Regional Development held a public hearing in Griffith on 23 July 2025. This inquiry was established to examine and report on the impacts of the Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Act 2023 on NSW regional communities.

On 19 Jun 2025, Amanda Cappello, Operations Manager at RDA Riverina, proudly attended the NSW Training Awards for the Riverina region, held at the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre.

Our Local Connector Jay, participated in a Strategic Plan Consultation hosted by Multicultural NSW at the International Hotel Wagga Wagga on June 3rd, 2025.

This important evening held on the 6 August 2025, will bring together senior Defence leaders, government officials, educators, and industry stakeholders to highlight the national and regional importance of Defence assets located in the Riverina-Murray.

Inland Rail is Australia’s largest infrastructure projects, and it’s shaping the future of freight transport across the country. To ensure the project continues to meet the needs of local communities, Inland Rail is inviting feedback through a short survey.