Regional Development Australia heads to Barraba

Meeting at the Playhouse Hotel, Barraba… Regional Development Australia Northern Inland (RDANI) Snr Project Officer David Thompson, Niel Jacobsen from Dane Consulting, RDANI Accounts Manager Rebecca Wright, RDANI Committee member Ian Lobsey from Quirindi, RDANI Executive Officer Nathan Axelsson, RDANI Committee member Anita Taylor from Kentucky (near Uralla), RDANI Committee Deputy Chair Les Parsons of Inverell and Chair, Russell Stewart of Narrabri.

The Regional Development Australia Northern Inland (RDANI) Committee members and staff came together for a quarterly meeting recently. Chair of RDANI, Russell Stewart from Narrabri, convened his second committee meeting as Chair in Barraba. The location proved to be conveniently central, with the regional committee members also coming from Armidale, Quirindi, and Inverell.

Mr Stewart said the meeting, which was held at the Playhouse Hotel in Barraba highlighted important strengths of the region, beyond what was discussed. “Our meeting was held in Barraba this time around because, we believe it is appropriate to get out and experience what our smaller communities have to offer,” he said. “The quality, professionalism and service we encountered was first-rate.”

“I’d encourage other regional organisations and businesses in the Northern Inland to give smaller towns a go and experience the professionalism you expect and the country hospitality that can surpass your expectations.”

During its five hour meeting, the Committee heard updates on projects supporting the region’s development, ranging from the evolution of a ground-breaking online initiative to skilled migration. The “Fit for the Future” local government challenge, which has taken the attention of our local councils, prompted RDANI to research and write a report on the impact on communities of local government jobs and capital expenditure. “It is clear that the removal or reduction of government jobs would hit smaller communities harder. These economic consequences should be factored into any State Government amalgamation considerations. Rationalising local government in Sydney should come before regional NSW.”

Mr Stewart said it is vital for Regional Development Australia Northern Inland to grow relationships with the 13 Northern Inland Local Councils, as well as all forms of industry and the wider community.
“I look forward to hearing from anyone keen to work with us, to develop practical tools to work on the healthy growth of our region,” he said.

“Our region is among the most diverse and sustainable in Australia. This is being demonstrated by our resilient agricultural sector and the innovation we see on a daily basis. We aim to work towards securing the best economic outcomes for the entire region which in turn drives employment growth.”