RDA Brisbane, Level 34/1 Eagle Street, Brisbane (2026)

04/06/2026

It was great to come together this week with the Queensland Premier David Crisafulli MP, Minister Dale Last - Member for Burdekin, Assistant Minister Bryson Head MP, Andrew Cripps QLD, Wayde Chiesa MP, Bree James - Barron River MP and colleagues from all 11 Regional Development Australia (RDA) organisations across Queensland.

The conversation reinforced the power of collaboration between the Australian and Queensland Governments, and the impact that a united RDA network can have when advocating with one clear, collective voice.

Through our joint advocacy, the 11 RDAs highlighted shared priorities that matter to our regions – from world‑leading infrastructure that drives productivity, to housing solutions that support growing communities, and energy projects that underpin long‑term regional prosperity.

When regional leaders work together across jurisdictions and portfolios, we strengthen outcomes for communities right across Queensland. The event was a strong example of how collaboration delivers real momentum for regional Australia.

The event was organised by RDA Brisbane in collaboration with the RDA Queensland network.

27/05/2026

🏅 RDA Brisbane CEO Nicole Duguid was proud to MC at yesterday's Brisbane 2032 Leadership Event at the North Lakes Hotel – what a lively discussion on leadership, resilience, and how Brisbane 2032 can create lasting opportunities for businesses, industries and communities across our region.

A sincere thank you to organisers Nick Steiner and Dominique Lamb for delivering such a valuable event for the Moreton Bay business community.

The insights shared by keynote speaker Anna Meares and panellists Cate Campbell, Brendan Hall and Dominique Lamb were both inspiring and highly relevant to today’s business environment — highlighting the importance of adaptability, preparation and high performance in navigating change and pursuing long-term success.

For more Brisbane 2032 resources, be sure to check out RDA Brisbane’s Olympic Opportunities page on our website: https://rdabrisbane.org.au/resources/brisbane-2032-resources-for-smes

26/05/2026

💼 30 FREE short online courses for small business from the ATO

Looking to improve your skills or have a question on business planning, finances, record keeping, or registrations? Want to know how to successfully meet your tax obligations? Or simply want to understand what’s required to start a small business?

Essentials to strengthen your small business is a free online learning platform offering over 30 short courses on topics such as record keeping, cash flow, deductions, GST, superannuation and more.

Explore all the courses here: https://smallbusiness.taxsuperandyou.gov.au/

To complement these resources, the ATO is also hosting a free Masterclass series of webinars throughout May and June to help you understand the essentials of running a successful business.

Each session will focus on key topics that matter most to business owners, including:

✅ Record keeping – 27 May
✅ Cash flow for small business success – 3 June
✅ Tax time essentials: Claiming deductions for your home-based business – 10 June
✅ Tax time essentials: Claiming small business tax deductions – 17 June
✅ Tax time essentials: How to successfully report, pay & lodge correctly – 24 June

Register for any of these sessions here: https://ato.webex.com/webappng/sites/ato/webinar/webinarSeries/register/aeb14ae951af4d1194df28dbe93435b3

25/05/2026

⏰ Last Chance to Register – Champions in Business: Brisbane 2032 Leadership Event on TOMORROW

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from some of Australia’s leading sporting champions, business voices and regional leaders as they discuss leadership, resilience, high performance and the business opportunities emerging from Brisbane 2032.

RDA Brisbane CEO Nicole Duguid will join an outstanding speaker line-up at this special business lunch hosted by the Greater Caboolture Chamber of Commerce, Pine Rivers Chamber of Commerce and North Lakes Chamber Of Commerce.

Featuring:
🏅 Anna Meares, Olympic champion (Keynote Speaker)
🏊 Cate Campbell, Olympic champion
🏅 Brendan Hall, Paralympic champion
🎙️ Dominique Lamb, Director of Community Affairs to the President of Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games
🎙️ Nicole Duguid, CEO, RDA Brisbane

📅 Tuesday 26 May 2026
🕛 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
📍 North Lakes Hotel

With Brisbane 2032 set to reshape South East Queensland, this event will explore how businesses can prepare now to take advantage of billions on dollars in procurement and business opportunities.

🎟️ Register here: https://greatercaboolture.wavecrm.com.au/event/01KQVD4YR8CZVZ4VWQB8KE2YKC

24/05/2026

📊 RDA Brisbane CEO Nicole Duguid Duguid and Board member Tony Eyres recently attended the 2026–27 Federal Budget Business Briefing hosted by Business Chamber Queensland, featuring the Treasurer Jim Chalmers MP as keynote speaker.

It was great to see the Treasurer back on home turf - held in Brisbane, the briefing explored the key priorities and reforms outlined in the Federal Budget, with a strong focus on economic resilience, investment and long-term growth. The Treasurer highlighted the critical importance of increasing national productivity to strengthen Australia’s future prosperity and competitiveness.

21/05/2026

🌏 Senator Chisholm highlights emerging opportunities across Queensland at Trademark Brisbane Launch

RDA Brisbane Chair Kieren Dell was pleased to attend the Trademark Group of Companies Brisbane launch this week, with keynote speaker Senator Anthony Chisholm, Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Assistant Minister for Resources. The Trademark Group is a global business network headquartered in Australia, with branches in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and China.

The event highlighted Queensland’s strong growth trajectory, the opportunities emerging through the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the importance of strategic partnerships in driving investment, innovation and regional prosperity.

Discussions focused on the critical role of collaboration between industry, government and organisations such as Trademark Group in strengthening business networks, supporting regional industries, and connecting Queensland businesses to national and international markets.

With Queensland continuing to grow across sectors including advanced manufacturing, resources, tourism, health, logistics and critical minerals, events like these are an important platform for fostering the relationships that will help shape a resilient and globally connected economy.

Photo 1: Senator the Hon Anthony Chisholm and RDA Brisbane Chair Kieren Dell

14/05/2026

♻️⛏️ Turning mining by-products into new opportunities | Workshop Series, 19 May & 2 June

The OreSand Knowledge Hub Workshop Series 2026, led by the The University of Queensland Sustainable Minerals Institute Global Centre for Mineral Security, will bring together industry, government, researchers and community leaders to explore practical solutions for advancing circularity in mining.

The workshops will focus on how innovations like OreSand — a manufactured sand recovered from metal ores before they become waste — can help reduce tailings, support sustainable resource use and create new commercial opportunities for Queensland.

With successful international applications already demonstrated by companies including Vale S.A., Newmont Corporation and Anglo American plc, the series will explore how scalable, market-ready solutions can be developed locally.

📍 Workshop 1 – Regional ecosystem building
🗓️ 19 May 2026
📌 Resources Centre of Excellence, Mackay

📍 Workshop 2 – Statewide ecosystem activation
🗓️ 2 June 2026
📌 The University of Queensland, Brisbane

A valuable opportunity to connect across sectors and help shape the future of sustainable mining and resource innovation in Queensland.

For enquiries contact Elin Jennings - [email protected] - or register here: ➡️ https://app4.vision6.com.au/em/forms/subscribe.php?db=912243&s=1038454&a=36185&k=1%2C7M7sPTlAJclxQViMSbGSPxYmVHB9jysv5DLB4V2EDio

Learn more about the OreSand Knowledge Hub here: ➡️ https://smi.uq.edu.au/oresand-knowledge-hub

14/05/2026

🏅 Champions in Business – Brisbane 2032 Leadership Event | 26 May | North Lakes

RDA Brisbane CEO Nicole Duguid will join an outstanding line-up of Australian sporting champions and business leaders at the upcoming 'Champions in Business – Brisbane 2032 Leadership Event', exploring leadership, resilience, high performance and the opportunities Brisbane 2032 will create for South East Queensland businesses.

Hosted by the Greater Caboolture Chamber of Commerce, Pine Rivers Chamber of Commerce and North Lakes Chamber Of Commerce, this major business lunch will bring together leaders from sport, business and regional development for an engaging discussion on performing under pressure and preparing for the opportunities ahead.

The event features:
🎤 Anna Meares OAM OLY — Keynote Speaker | Olympic Champion cyclist and leadership advocate
🎙️ Cate Campbell OAM — Panellist | Olympic Champion
🎙️ Brendan Hall — Panellist | Paralympic Champion
🎙️ Dominique Lamb — Panel Facilitator | Director of Community Affairs to the President of Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games
🎙️ Nicole Duguid — Panel Facilitator | CEO, RDA Brisbane

Anna Meares will deliver a keynote on resilience, leadership and building high-performing teams, followed by a live panel discussion on leadership, business growth and how organisations can position themselves to benefit from Brisbane 2032.

With the Games set to transform South East Queensland, this is an opportunity for businesses to hear directly from leaders who understand performance, preparation and long-term success.

📅 Tuesday 26 May 2026
🕛 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm (networking from 12:00 pm)
📍 North Lakes Hotel
🎟️ $60 Chamber Members | $80 Non-Members

👉 Book your tickets here: https://wavecrm.com.au/event/01KQVD4YR8CZVZ4VWQB8KE2YKC

Seats are limited.

13/05/2026

🏗️Federal Budget 2026–27: Key infrastructure and regional development initiatives

The Australian Government’s 2026–27 Federal Budget delivers a significant package of investment across infrastructure, transport and regional development, with a strong focus on connectivity, housing-enabling infrastructure, freight resilience and regional growth.

Outlined in the Regional Ministerial Budget Statement, the Budget includes new and expanded funding streams designed to support productivity, improve supply chain resilience and strengthen regional communities across Australia.

Among the headline measures is a $10.3 billion commitment to transport infrastructure projects nationwide, alongside an additional $500 million expansion of the Active Transport Fund to support safer and more connected walking and cycling networks.

The Budget also includes continued support for nationally significant road and rail upgrades aimed at improving freight efficiency and reducing congestion pressures.

The Government has highlighted a strong focus on resilience and long-term infrastructure planning, including:

✔️ $1.75 billion to improve the productivity, resilience and reliability of Australia’s freight rail network
✔️ Continued investment in safer local roads and transport infrastructure
✔️ Funding initiatives supporting fuel security, freight efficiency and regional supply chains, including a $1.1 billion Cleaner Fuels Program
✔️ Ongoing support for councils through local infrastructure and road funding programs.

Regional Australia features prominently in the Budget, with the Government committing:

✔️ $750 million for new rounds of the Growing Regions Program and Thriving Suburbs Program
✔️ A new $2 billion Local Infrastructure Fund to help unlock housing supply, including $500 million specifically reserved for regional Australia
✔️Continued investment in regional connectivity and community infrastructure projects.

Queensland infrastructure initiatives also received attention in recent announcements linked to the Budget, including continued investment in Bruce Highway upgrades, Black Spot safety projects and key freight and regional road improvements. Additional funding under the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program will support upgrades that improve road safety, flood resilience and freight productivity across regional communities.

The Budget reinforces the Government’s broader focus on enabling housing growth through infrastructure delivery, improving national freight efficiency and supporting long-term regional economic resilience. For regions such as South East Queensland and Brisbane’s wider economic catchment, these investments are expected to play an important role in supporting population growth, productivity and connectivity ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Further information on the 2026–27 Budget and the Regional Ministerial Budget Statement is available here:

https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/about-us/corporate-reporting/budgets/budget-2026-27/regional-ministerial-budget-statement-2026-27-investing-australias-regional-growth-and-prosperity

12/05/2026

Great to see strong regional leadership represented at the Australian Institute of Company Directors' Tech Governance Forum in Brisbane this week, with RDA Brisbane CEO Nicole Duguid joined by Board members Allan Morton and Greg Ewing.

The forum explored some of the biggest issues shaping the future of governance — including AI, cybersecurity, digital transformation, technology resilience and emerging technologies.

As technology continues to reshape industries and economies, forums like this are critical for helping leaders and boards navigate change, manage risk and identify new opportunities for growth and innovation across our region.

RDA Brisbane

04/06/2026

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26/05/2026

25/05/2026

24/05/2026

21/05/2026

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