RDA Sunshine Coast welcomes the new network charter – want to make a difference in your community?
The Sunshine Coast branch of Regional Development Australia is repositioning itself to deliver on the RDA network’s new charter. Following a review of RDA committees, Fiona Nash announced changes to the RDA charter with increased focus on investment attraction, international trade partnerships and leveraging public and private sector investment. RDA committees will continue to have an active and facilitative role in their communities and a clear focus on growing strong and confident regional economies that harness their competitive advantages, seize on economic opportunity and attract investment. This will result in the department declaring all committee positions vacant and seeking nominations from business leaders.
Under the new Charter, and working in close partnership with fellow RDA committees, all levels of government, and the private sector, RDA committees will:
- Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to identify economic opportunities and leverage private and public sector investment to the regions;
- Connect regional businesses, councils and industry sectors with international trade partners, financial markets and potential investors;
- Promote and disseminate information on Australian Government policies and grant programs to state and local governments and industry, business and community sectors;
- Support community stakeholders to develop project proposals to access funding;
- Develop and maintain positive working relationships with the local government bodies in their regions;
- Facilitate public and private sector decentralisation;
- Assist in the delivery of Australian Government programs, where relevant and where requested by the Minister;
- Engage with regional entrepreneurs and emerging business leaders to explore new opportunities to grow local jobs in their regions;
- Provide information on their region’s activities and competitive advantages to all levels of government, industry, business and community sectors; and
- Provide evidence-based advice to the Australian Government on critical regional development issues positively and negatively affecting their regions.
The Sunshine Coast branch of RDA has long believed its role was not just in planning, but in delivering results along the lines of the Smith Review. This is reflected in RDA Sunshine Coast’s key achievements, across 16 projects. The most significant contribution is leading collaboration across numerous government, community and business organisations to deliver results. RDASC also has partnered with over 22 events and projects delivering critical funding to ensure success.
Want to make a difference in your community? As a member of the RDA Sunshine Coast Committee, you will use your skills to engage with community leaders to provide advice on the priority activities that will drive regional economic development. Your skills will help build networks within the business, industry and education sectors of the Sunshine Coast community. You will facilitate wide consultation at all levels of government and develop solutions for regional economic development; and provide advice to the Australian Government on critical issues affecting your region.
We are seeking Expressions of Interest from highly motivated and experienced people across the region who are knowledgeable about the economic strengths and challenges of the region. We encourage applications from people with diverse cultural backgrounds, and diverse age groups. Apply at https://rda.gov.au/join-your-rda/
RDA Sunshine Coast Highlights and Achievements include:
- Digital Sunshine Coast Action Plan
An ongoing collaborative project hosted by RDASC, Sunshine Coast Council and Noosa Council to drive digital industry sector development, and support all sectors of the regional economy that will be impacted by digital innovation.
- Speed It Up Campaign
A campaign which involved collecting information about the broadband needs of Sunshine Coast businesses. Results showed a demand for improved speed and efficiency, and led to a report which included ideas on how owners could speed up their businesses.
- Digital Scorecard
RDA Sunshine Coast developed a partnership with the State Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation to develop an ongoing review of technology to help businesses and communities improve their resilience, competiveness, connectivity and self-sufficiency by embracing innovation, entrepreneurship and digital technologies.
- Advancing Regional Innovation Program
RDASC, along with the Sunshine Coast and Noosa Councils, are lead collaborators in this State Government program to attract, connect and support innovators across the Sunshine Coast region. Our region submitted the largest collaboration under a single submission in the state, demonstrating the strength of our innovative ecosystem.
- Coding and Programming Curriculum
RDASC, in partnership with TAFE Queensland East Coast and Sunshine Coast Council launched a six-week Introduction to Coding course for those looking to develop their skills in coding. It is supplemented by internships, industry placements and ongoing training and development once a student finds employment.
- Start Up Business Curriculum
Delivered through TAFE Queensland East Coast and directed at Year 11 and 12 students who do not wish to attend university but would like to start their own businesses. The course encourages innovation and entrepreneurship, and supports the local economy by creating jobs for youth on the Sunshine Coast.
- Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
This ongoing map was designed by Digital Sunshine Coast to provide an interactive visual representation of the Sunshine Coast region’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem and provide access to the support and resources available for new, emerging and established entrepreneurs.
- Ripple Effect
This ongoing project focusses on informing and inspiring local small business operators to leverage business prospects available as a result of the $1.8 billion Sunshine Coast University Hospital and how to best capitalise on these opportunities. This will provide a template for future catalytic projects and ensure Small to Medium enterprise patriciate in the “ripple effect”.
- Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF)
RDASC liaised with applicants to ensure success in attracting investment to the region through Round 1 of the Building Better Regions Fund. We successfully supported grant applications for Buderim’s Men’s Shed ($500,000) and The Sunshine Coast Events Centre ($3 million).
- Investor Breakfasts
RDASC, in collaboration with BDO, hosted the “Invest in the future – Sunshine Coast Start-Ups event” to educate potential investors on why now is the opportune time to understand the digital economy and join what will be the “industrial revolution” of the future. The event was held in Noosa and Brightwater and attracted over 200 guests.
- Sunshine Coast Transport Forum
RDASC hosted the first Sunshine Coast Transport Infrastructure Forum in June 2017 – attended by all three levels of government, business leaders from Sunshine Coast Business Council, UDIA, Chamber Alliance, CCIQ Noosa, USC, TMR, and Translink, to discuss the growing need to prioritise transport infrastructure on the Sunshine Coast. Our Region needs one voice on agreed priorities to ensure relevant government authorities listen to the needs of the Region.
RDASC has supported and contributed:
- GovHack 2015-16
- Innovation Centre Demo Day Series
- Generation Innovation
- Google Partners Connect Event
- CoderDojo
- The Pitch Bureau
- Level Up Program
- #NoosaConnects
- Mentor Blaze
- Start-up Weekend
- Start-up Weekend Youth
- Sunshine Coast Chamber Alliance Breakfast
- #SiliconCoast
- Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN)
- Innovation Masterclass – Noosa
- Sunshine Coast Chamber Alliance
- RDA/BDO Investor series
- Digital Scorecard Workshops
- Silicon Coast – El Grande events
- #Create Noosa – VR School Competition
- Cleantech School Competition