RDA-Northern Rivers

20/10/2026

Writing a Winning Grant Application✍️

There's still time to register for this free face-to-face Grant Writing Workshop with Pip Close, Clarence Valley Council Economic Development & Tourism Team.

The workshop is designed to help Clarence Valley businesses and not-for-profits approach grant funding with confidence.

Don't miss this chance to gain practical guidance before you start writing your next application!

The details:
📆 Thursday 22 October
⏰11.30am | 1 hour + Q&A
📍 Clarence Valley Council, Grafton Council Chambers, 2 Prince Street, Grafton
✅For more details and to register visit: https://events.humanitix.com/writing-a-winning-grant-application-grafton-workshop

Got a project that could benefit from grant funding, but not sure where to start? A practical one-hour webinar for Clarence Valley Businesses & not-for-profits.

16/10/2026

Small Business month is underway with local and online events ready for you to attend!

There's still time to register for free events on the Northern Rivers, including:
The Businesess Brains Trust 🧩
"Lead Well" a leadership session with emphasis on well being and life work balance.
🗓️ 21 October 2026 | 9.00am - 12.30PM
📍 Twin Towns Services Club
➡️ Find out more and register: https://www.nsw.gov.au/business-and-economy/nsw-small-business-month/business-brains-trust

Tweed Business Forum 🤝
🗓️ 29 October 2026 | 2.00pm - 7.00PM
📍 Twin Towns Services Club
➡️ Find out more and register: https://www.nsw.gov.au/business-and-economy/nsw-small-business-month/tweed-business-forum

You can also search upcoming online events here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/business-and-economy/nsw-small-business-month?sort=soonest&type%5B0%5D=online

You will be amazed by all the events that are out there to support your small business this ! Register and attend a collaboration partner event today. www.nsw.gov.au/nsw-small-business-month

15/10/2026

Welcome bags at the ready!

Our Local Connector, Bre, kicked off her week at the Serco operated Clarence Correctional Centre in the Clarence Valley, meeting with 21 custodial staff and 8 health staff members who have recently relocated to the region.
Bre introduced The Welcome Experience program to the team and left them with welcome bags full of local info, handy resources and treats from local producers.

The Welcome Experience helps new staff and their families settle in and feel at home, which also helps local businesses retain essential staff.

Are you an employer? Learn how our team of Local Connectors can help your new team members settle in: https://www.nsw.gov.au/regional-and-primary-industries/makethemove/welcome-experience-supporting-essential-worker-businesses

Since opening in 2020, Serco has proudly operated and maintained Clarence Correctional Centre for the NSW Government.

15/10/2026

We're hiring: Regional Engagement Officer, Clarence Valley📍

RDA Northern Rivers is growing its presence on the ground, and we’re looking for someone to help make it happen!

The Regional Engagement Officer will be out and about in the Clarence Valley and across the broader Northern Rivers, building relationships with businesses, councils, government agencies, industry bodies and community groups. You’ll be our eyes, ears and friendly face in the region, gathering local insights, supporting regional projects and workforce attraction initiatives.

If you’re passionate about regional communities and economic development, we’d love to hear from you!

👉 Find out more about the position and apply here: https://www.rdanorthernrivers.org.au/about/work-with-ushttps://www.rdanorthernrivers.org.au/about/work-with-us

14/10/2026

Connecting communities and supporting workforce growth in Kyogle 🌱

Recently our Local Connector team, Lisa and Bre, headed to Kyogle to chat with David Burgener, Manager Community Development, and Kacey Patrick, Business and Events Officer, from Kyogle Council about how the program can support Council staff and other essential workers moving to the area.

They also caught up with local businesses eligible for The Welcome Experience to talk about attracting and retaining staff, and helping new employees and their families feel at home.

Lisa and Bre even squeezed in a visit to the Roxy Gallery to see Garen Hale's exhibition Works of Wood. Well worth a look if you're in town!

RDA Northern Rivers can't wait to see how the team continues to build partnerships in the Kyogle region and supporting the people who choose to call it home 🌳

Interested in learning more about The Welcome Experience and how our Local Connector team support regional businesses to attract and retain essential workers? Visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/regional-and-primary-industries/makethemove/welcome-experience-supporting-essential-worker-businesses

Or get in touch via https://www.rdanorthernrivers.org.au/the-welcome-experience -connectors

30/09/2026

Our team was out and about with TAFE NSW last month at the TAFE Connects Workshops 🎓

Lisa, our Local Connector/Team Leader joined the Tweed workshop and RDA Northern Rivers joined in Ballina. These community workshops look at how local training can better support our region's people, businesses and future jobs.

Some insights included health care and aged care jobs are growing fast on the Tweed and the new training facilities at NSW - Kingscliff are opening doors in trades, logistics, aviation, creative industries and more. Both sessions also looked honestly at what makes study hard for locals including cost factors, childcare and transport to campuses.

We're looking forward to Phase Two: Share & Playback. Where TAFE NSW will share strategic information about the regions they visited. Thanks to TAFE NSW for having us!

28/09/2026

A very warm welcome to Jess, Dave and Miles! ☀️

Jess has recently joined our local health workforce as a GP in Casuarina and Dave is setting up his business here in the region with Miles.

Through the Welcome Experience, Local Connector/Team Leader Lisa has been helping the family find accommodation, connecting Dave and Miles with local business networks and sharing local knowledge to help them settle in.

Lisa met up with them for a coffee at Hastings Point General Store, then wandered out to the headland where the whales put on a show with a pod of dolphins swimming right through them! You couldn't plan a better Northern Rivers welcome if you tried🐬🐳

Lisa also gave the family a welcome bag filled with local information and resources to help them get to know their new home even better and some local teas, introducing the family to some of the gorgeous treats you can find here on the Northern Rivers.

So glad to have you here Jess, Dave and Miles 👏

Relocating to the Northern Rivers or know someone who is? Find out how The Welcome Experience can help: https://www.nsw.gov.au/regional-and-primary-industries/makethemove/welcome-experience

24/09/2026

A new opportunity to invest and grow in Lismore!

Expressions of Interest are open for businesses, investors and developers interested in securing land within a proposed new industrial precinct in South Lismore.

If you are considering establishing, expanding or investing in Lismore, now's your chance to start a conversation with Council about what your business needs. Learn more and register your interest here: https://yoursay.lismore.nsw.gov.au/south-lismore-industrial-subdivision

23/09/2026

📢 Open for consultation! Have your say and help shape the future of AI training and infrastructure in Australia.

The Australian Government will use the findings from the consultation to create mandatory standards covering:
⚡How data centres use energy
💧How they use water
🌄How they use land
💻How the sector can support skills and industry development

For regional Australia, the stakes are real. Data centres bring investment opportunities, create jobs and support innovation. They also have resource heavy needs. Getting the framework right now will provide a clear approach to assessing, planning and managing the needs of these facilities while also protecting our communities and resources.

You can find more information, read the consultation paper and make a submission here: https://www.pmc.gov.au/domestic-policy/office-ai/getting-it-right-building-ai-infrastructure-works-australia

22/09/2026

Regional Australia front and centre 🌿

RDA Northern Rivers CEO, Anthony Schreenan, joined the RDA NSW & ACT Network in Canberra last week for the The Regional Australia Institute's Regions Rising National Summit 2026.

The program covered productivity, population, workforce, housing and liveability, and how to turn research into real action.

Attendees heard from a range of speakers including Dr Ken Henry AC, Australia's leading economist and former Treasury Secretary, on why Australia's prosperity depends on strong regions and healthy environments.

Thanks to Regional Australia Institute for bringing it all together 👏

Read the RAI's latest research on regional Australia's growth potential and what it will take to achieve it, here: https://regionalaustralia.org.au/Web/Media/Media-Releases/2026/Regional_Australia_The_Solution_to_Australia_s_Growing_Pains

Group photo: Regional Development Australia Network members, Chairs and CEO's. Image courtesy of RDA Sydney Regional Development Australia (RDA) Sydney

Pictured (L-R): Olivia West, CEO of Regional Development Australia Southern NSW and ACT; Dr Ken Henry AC, Economist and former Secretary to the Treasury; Anthony Schreenan, CEO of RDA Northern Rivers.