March 2012 Riverina Flood Crisis

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Michael Gallacher has today extended the natural disaster declarations to a further 18 Local Government Areas. To view the list of declared areas visit http://www.emergency.nsw.gov.au/news.html

Information for Primary Producers is available at http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/responses/flooding-2012

People affected by recent flooding can visit http://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/information/disaster for information on assistance and http://www.disasterassist.gov.au/www/disasterassist/disasterassist.nsf/Page/Currentdisasters_SouthernNewSouthWalesflooding(February-March2012)

Regional Development Australia Fund

 12 January 2012

The Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government would like to advise that the Minister for Regional Australia, the Hon Simon Crean MP, has just announced the RDAF Round 2 projects to proceed to the full application process.

 Please go to the following link for details   http://www.regional.gov.au/regional/programs/rdaf.aspx   

 The following projects in the RDA-Riverina have been selected to go to the RDAF Round 2 full application process:-

• Riverina Intermodal Freight & Logistics, Wagga Wagga City Council
• Griffith Community Private Hospital, Griffith City Council
• Edel Quinn Regional Homeless & Education Services Upgrade, Trustees of St Vincent de Paul, Wagga Wagga

As part of the Australian Government's Commitment to Regional Australia, funding has been allocated to a Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF) to provide financial grants to support the growth and development of Australia's regions (of which $573 million is subject to the passage of the Minerals Rent Resource Tax MRRT) The RDAF will fund projects that support the infrastructure needs, and will the enhance economic and community growth, of Australia's regions. The program funds will maximise outcomes through effective partnerships across levels of government, and the business and non-profit sectors. The program will build synergies and increase the scale of investment by ensuring that projects cross regional boundaries and support communities within those regions. Regional Development Australia committees will play a key role in identifying projects to be supported by the program

RDA-Riverina Regional Plan

In accordance with RDA contracts and the changing dynamics in our regions and nation the RDA-Riverina  will be conducting the Regional Plan review during May/June 2012. A copy of the current Regional Plan is now available. 

To view and download the RDA-Riverina Regional Plan ClickHere 

Murray Darling Basin Plan Information

Submissions to the Murray Darling Basin Authority  closed on the 16 April 2012. The Authority received 10,000 submissions. For updated information about the MDBP please visit http://mdba.gov.au/about regularly. The Murrumbidgee Valley Stakeholder Group website is http://www.mvsg.net/

The Canberra Times provides an overview of the MDBP with graphs and a short video demonstrating how much a water there is in a gigalitre, to view the article follow the link -http://www.canberratimes.com.au/specialfeature.aspx?id=5780

The report "Community impacts of the Guide to the proposed Murray-Darling Basin Plan" is now available through the following link http://mdba.gov.au/media_centre/media_releases/Socio-economic-report-on-the-Guide-released

This report is an in-depth retrospective about how the proposals in last year's Guide would have affected communities in the Basin. It analyses the socio-economic vulnerability of communities based on the Guide's proposals.

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Australia conducted an Inquiry into the impact of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan in Regional Australia. To view the report follow the link below
http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/ra/murraydarling/report/fullreport.pdf

Who are we?

As a Regional Development Australia (RDA) Committee RDA Riverina is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW State Governments, to build partnerships that facilitate the sustainable of the Riverina Region. For more information on National RDA network visit the website www.rda.gov.au or www.regional.gov.au

Who do we work with?

All levels of Government, Industry Groups, Businesses, Research Development, Education & Training Institutes and Community Members.

What do we do?

Mission: RDA-Riverina will build partnerships that facilitate the development of a sustainable region.

RDA-Riverina will be connecting communities, business and government to projects, programs, services, funding and other people

• Identify and advise Government about needs and opportunities within the Riverina region
• Facilitate the development of new ideas with key industry or community partners
• Support the implementation of economic, social and sustainable development projects

What do we value?

RDA-Riverina embraces and supports the following values:-

• Innovation/creativity
• Commitment to a learning culture
• Inclusiveness
• Sustainability
• Optimism

What can RDA Riverina do for you?

• Collaborate with you to Identify and address key issues affecting growth in your region
• Connect you to key players, experts and decision makers in government, industry and business
• Support you, your programs and initiatives across your region

How do we do this?

• Interest Groups meetings such the Riverina Development Officers Network
• Skills development & capacity building initiatives such as workshops and seminars
• Gather economic, sustainability and social inclusion information on the Riverina region
• Provide web based information on Government Grant programs, services and other initiatives
• RDA-Riverina has an office located in Griffith and another in Wagga Wagga. For further contact details see the Contact Us page.

NSW Government 

To view information on NSW Government Ministers, Departments and Agencies visit the link below
http://www.directory.nsw.gov.au/index.asp