July - September 2023 Newsletter

CEO intro The July-September quarter was a very busy and fruitful time for RDA GW. Of particular note is the continued success of the Women in Leadership (WIL) program, headed up by our Project Manager Nic Willis. Our initial cohort of 25 participants have moved into Stage 2 of the program - with three workshops being delivered in this quarter. The feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are currently finalising third-party funding for a second cohort of 30 participants for the MIW region. We've also had interest in developing an Isaac-specific program, to give interested participants the opportunity to access WIL closer to home. “The Women in Leadership program has been invaluable and integral to our growth as a woman-owned social enterprise in our region. I really hope that more cohorts of women can come into this program and it continues for years to come.” Adrienne Bradshaw, Women in Leadership program participant Also this quarter, our board visited Bowen to meet with local stakeholders. During our time there, we were treated to a tour of the new space port - with thanks to Adam and the Gilmore Space Technologies team. This was followed by a meet and greet session with the Bowen Chamber of Commerce and other local business owners to hear the needs and wants of the Bowen business community. Head to our LinkedIn page to see the photos and follow us for other upcoming news and information. Regards, Robert Cocco CEO - RDA GW  Workforce accommodation EOI Following on from the Housing Summit, Greater Whitsunday Communities (GWC) and RDA GW have collaborated with Mackay Airport to set up an EOI for businesses to indicate interest in medium-to-long term apartment style accommodation being developed. This is based on a key point discussed at the Summit, to provide more workforce accommodation. We ask that you share this EOI with your networks as well, so that we can gauge whether the business community has a need for this type of accommodation so that we can proceed to the next stage of planning. Housing Alliance formation Another key action identified at the Housing Summit was the formation of a Housing Alliance as an ongoing entity that will drive the action plan forward. GWC and RDA GW have developed a terms of reference and operational model, so that we can approach stakeholders for investment to get the alliance up and running.  DAMA survey completed Partnering with the Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac local governments and Chambers of Commerce, we were able to complete a phone survey of local businesses. With a sample of 2500 business owners approached, the survey had a 15% completion rate. Of those respondents, 51% indicated that they would make use of the DAMA program. We are now in discussions with the Mackay and Whitsunday Chambers about taking the lead on a business case to support setting up the DAMA, with assistance as required from RDA GW and the local governments. If it goes ahead, the DAMA program will enable local businesses to attract and retain overseas workers, across a range of industries and skill levels. Emergency digital connectivity funding Funding is now available for improvement of digital connectivity infrastructure, in relation to keeping communications open during disaster events. The Australia Government has committed to best practice for local governments to improve their digital infrastructure and connectivity, with this funding facilitating upgrades required. Starlink deals announced Both Telstra and Optus are offering Starlink deals to improve low earth orbit connectivity for mobile phones in remote and rural areas. These connectivity improvements should be finalised by the end of 2023/start of 2024. Accurate digital coverage mapping Working with the local digital forum, we are currently reviewing and mapping digital connectivity accurately across the region. This is to provide a real-world connectivity map of mobile coverage, as part of an ongoing discussion with NBN Co to fix wireless connectivity across MIW. As part of this, NBN Co are also upgrading Sky Muster NBN for our remote areas. Isaac connectivity funding completed We've also worked with the digital forum group to ensure that funding was completed for projects in the Isaac, as part of a regional connectivity program. Northern Australia plan This quarter also saw us working with other RDA groups across Northern Australia to refresh the overall plan for Northern Australia. After reviewing the existing plan and engaging with stakeholders, we have submitted a response that will assist in setting policy for the next decade. Once this plan has been finalised and endorsed, we will share it through our networks.                [E] ceo@rdagw.org.au                [PH] 07 4957 6160                www.rdagw.org.au Copyright © 2023 Regional Development Australia Greater Whitsundays, All rights reserved.