September 2026 Newsletter

In this Issue

• Welcome from the Chair
• The Biannual RDA Stakeholder Survey is Now Open!
• RDA Network Brings Regional Priorities to the Heart of NSW Government
• New $200M Round of Safer Local Roads Program Opened
• Prime Minister Speaks to Country Council Leaders
• Grants for Regional Digital Innovators
• Help Inform Local Land Services Strategic Delivery Plans for 2027-2032
• Featured Grants and Funding Opportunities
• What's On in the Northern Inland

Welcome from the Chair

Dear Northern Inlanders,

It’s a time of year for new beginnings, with spring well and truly arrived and our new Local Connectors, Emily and Kate, already supporting several new families to settle into Gunnedah and Narrabri.

Last month I was proud to represent our region alongside our Deputy Chair, James Pryor, at NSW Parliament House for the Friends of Regional NSW event. This event brought together government representatives, including NSW Ministers Tara Moriarty and Ryan Park, with representatives from the other twelve RDAs in NSW and the ACT. This event was a fantastic opportunity to network with our colleagues and a reminder of what can be achieved when good people are given a seat at the table, the opportunity to have their voices heard, and the chance to work together for the benefit of our communities.

The Country Mayors Association of NSW plays a similar and critical role in advocating for the needs of our regional communities and ensuring our voices are heard.  It was brilliant to see our Prime Minister take the time to connect directly with Mayors from across regional NSW at their dinner in Sydney last month.

Something that matters to every one of us is being able to travel safely on the roads we rely on every day. A new funding round of the $200 million per year Safer Local Roads Infrastructure Program has just opened, allowing for State and Local Governments to apply to seal roads, upgrade bridges and improve safety across our local road networks. I encourage our Councils to consider which projects might be eligible and to reach out to our staff if you would like a hand with writing or sourcing supporting data for your grant application.

I know everyone’s time is stretched, so if you can spare ten minutes for one thing this month, I would appreciate you completing the RDA Stakeholder Survey. It genuinely shapes how the Australian Government supports the RDA network and provides us with feedback on what you find helpful and how we can improve our support. Whether it’s ten minutes on a survey or an event at Parliament House, these are moments when our voices are heard, and we can work together for the benefit of our communities and our region as a whole.

Regards,

Russell Stewart
Chair

The Biannual RDA Stakeholder Survey is Now Open!

As the department that funds the Regional Development Australia network, the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is seeking feedback from stakeholders and anyone who has engaged with an RDA through its biannual RDA Stakeholder Survey.

This survey will help the department understand what support you have found useful, the issues facing our region, and how we can improve assistance to communities in our region.

All responses will be de-identified, and the department will provide us with amalgamated results for our region. If you are one of our many readers from outside the Northern Inland, you can use the same link and select the appropriate RDA for your region.

The survey will take approximately ten minutes to complete and closes at 4pm on Monday, 21 September.

We greatly appreciate you taking the time to respond to the survey, which will help us work with you for the benefit of our region. Further information on the national network of RDAs is available on the national RDA website.

RDA Network Brings Regional Priorities to the Heart of NSW Government

Regional leaders, parliamentarians and government representatives came together at NSW Parliament House in August for Friends of Regional NSW 2026, celebrating the work being undertaken across the state to turn regional priorities into practical action. Hosted by the Regional Development Australia NSW & ACT Network, the annual event brought representatives from the state’s 13 RDA regions together with Ministers, Shadow Ministers, Members of Parliament and regional stakeholders. The evening featured an address by NSW Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional New South Wales and Minister for Western New South Wales, the Hon. Tara Moriarty MLC.

“Regional NSW is the best place to live, visit, invest in, raise a family in, not just in NSW but all of Australia, and frankly, if I can, all of the world.” said Minister Moriarty. “I’m so pleased to be celebrating RDA and the fantastic work and networks you have all around the state, and am really pleased to be working directly with you. I look forward to continuing that strong relationship.”

The Australian Government Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, the Hon. Kristy McBain MP, also addressed guests through a recorded video message, acknowledging the contribution of the RDA network and its work with regional communities. “I couldn't be prouder of the RDAs and all you do for your communities. Through your commitment and expertise, you are the ones identifying early opportunities in your area, bringing people to the table, and helping to drive more investment and sustainable growth.” Minister McBain said. "This kind of work can never be done from Canberra alone. It needs on-the-ground engagement and follow through."

RDA NSW & ACT Committee Chair, Anna Guillan, said the event demonstrated the strength of a network that combined deep regional knowledge with the ability to work across communities, industries and all levels of government. “RDA NSW & ACT is not 13 separate committees pursuing 13 separate agendas. We are one connected network, with local intelligence in every region and a shared commitment to regional development that is practical, evidence-based and built to last,” Ms Guillan said.

The event highlighted the breadth of work undertaken by the RDA Network over the past year, including supporting critical regional infrastructure, strengthening the collective voice of rural communities and building the evidence governments, investors and communities need to make informed decisions. A short film screened at the event captured some of the ways the RDA NSW & ACT Network has worked over the past 12 months to advance the economic and social development of regional NSW and the ACT.

Ms Guillan said Friends of Regional NSW was designed not only to celebrate the network’s achievements, but to support stronger partnerships between regional communities and the governments responsible for shaping policy and investment. “What we hope grows out of this evening is not just a conversation, but a stronger partnership that continues long after we have all left this room,” she said.

New $200M Round of Safer Local Roads Program Opened

A new funding round of the $200 million per year Safer Local Roads Infrastructure Program (SLRIP) opened to State, Territory and Local Governments at the beginning of September. The Safer Local Roads Infrastructure Program is one of the Australian Government’s flagship roads funding programs, which addresses current and emerging priorities in the nation’s road infrastructure needs.

SLRIP is one of several initiatives that have received increased funding as part of the Australian Government’s commitment to invest in safer and more productive roads nationwide. That includes doubling in funding under the Roads to Recovery program, the boosting of the Black Spot Program to $150 million per year and the reversal of the previous government’s freeze on highway maintenance funding.

State and territory governments and local councils can apply for up to $5 million, as a co-contribution, to each project. Previous upgrades funded under the program include new road bridges, sealing sections of gravel road and improving safety and road surfaces. From this financial year, the program guidelines place an increased emphasis on improving road safety while retaining the other objectives of productivity, road resilience and sustainability.

“This vital funding will support councils to progress a pipeline of future projects to make the local roads we use every day safer, and to ensure that heavy vehicles can deliver essential products and services more efficiently.” said Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories Kristy McBain. “We know that many councils, particularly in regional, rural and remote areas, have extensive road networks to improve and maintain. This round of the Safer Local Roads Infrastructure Program will have a particular focus on road safety and builds on our other financial supports for councils around the country.”

Applications for state, territory and local governments opened on the 1st of September and will close on the 31st of January 2027 at 5 pm.

Prime Minister Speaks to Country Council Leaders

Australia’s Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP attended the Country Mayors Association of NSW (CMA) dinner in Sydney last month. The Prime Minister was the Keynote speaker at the event and Members were pleased to hear his recognition of the financial constraints many councils across Australia face and his commitment to the recent resolution passed at the National Labor Conference to implement the Federation Compact.

“Mr Albanese spoke of the infrastructure funding announced in the Federal Budget and assured agricultural communities reliant on seasonal labour, that the Government is going to monitor the working holiday visa program and ensure it meets employer demand. There was some disappointment that the controversial water buyback issue was not covered,” said Mayor Firman. “The Prime Minister also indicated the Federation Compact was being teased out with State & Territory Local Government Associations. We need to continue to remind our Prime Minister, the Government as well as Opposition and Cross Benches that financial sustainability of Local Government is the number one issue for us, and we need their urgent help.”

“The Board, Members, Staff and I greatly appreciate that our Prime Minister took the time to address our function and join us for dinner.  The vast majority of our CMA Members ensure party politics is left out of Local Government – it’s about our communities. The night cemented the NSW CMA as a significant representative of rural, remote and regional Councils, on both a State and National level,” Mayor Firman said.

NSW Local Government Minister, The Hon Ron Hoenig MP and Shadow Local Government Minister Mr Tim James MP, LGNSW President Mayor Darcy Byrne and CMA Chairman, Mayor Rick Firman OAM also addressed the 150 rural, remote and regional NSW Council leaders at the gala event.

“It was heartwarming to see our Prime Minister visibly moved when Parkes Shire Mayor Neil Westcott played guitar and sang captivating, stirring renditions of ‘Advance Australia Fair’ and ‘And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda’. The roof nearly came off the building when we all joined with Mayor Westcott and sang our National Anthem together. That’s a moment our CMA Family and our Prime Minister will remember warmly,” Mayor Firman added.

Grants for Regional Digital Innovators

As the organisation behind Australia’s digital backbone, nbn have developed the Innovate with nbn Grants Program in partnership with the Regional Australia Institute. Now in its seventh year, the program aims to help regional-based businesses using the nbn network to drive innovation, improve productivity, and create meaningful social and economic outcomes for communities.
With $125,000 in grant funding available across seven categories, including the new Innovation for Productivity category, the program champions the ideas, resilience and ingenuity of regional businesses. Category winners will each receive $15,000, with an additional $20,000 awarded to the overall 2026 Innovate with nbn® Champion.

The seven categories are:

• AgTech and Environment
• Arts, Culture & Tourism
• Education
• First Nations Business
• Health and Wellbeing
• Innovation for Productivity
• Women in Regional Business

Applications are now open and close on Monday the 12th of October. Further information can be found on the nbn website. If you have applied before and weren't successful, nbn encourage you to apply again.

Help Inform Local Land Services Strategic Delivery Plans for 2027-2032

Local Land Services (LLS) is the NSW Government agency responsible for supporting farmers, landholders and rural communities across the state. Established in 2014, it brings together agricultural advice, biosecurity, natural resource management and emergency management into a single, regionally-based service. Across our footprint, this work is delivered by two LLS regions, the Northern Tablelands and the North West. Their staff work directly with landholders on the ground, providing advice and support on everything from livestock health and pest control to native vegetation management and drought and disaster preparedness, helping to keep our region's agricultural industry productive and resilient.

Their Local Strategic Delivery Plans connect strategy to delivery, ensuring planning decisions translate into on-ground action. The NSW Government is now seeking community members, landholders and other interested stakeholders to provide feedback on the draft plan for their region, helping inform how LLS will deliver services over the next five years.

There are two draft Strategic Delivery Plans open for feedback across the Northern Inland region:

• Northern Tablelands (Armidale Regional, Glen Innes Severn, Inverell, Tenterfield, Uralla and Walcha LGAs)
• North West (Gunnedah, Gwydir, Liverpool Plains, Moree Plains, Narrabri and Tamworth Regional LGAs)

Your feedback will help LLS respond to the needs of land managers, communities and industry, and guide service delivery in each region from 2027-2032. The consultation is open until Tuesday, the 29th of September 2026, takes between 5-10 minutes to complete depending on your answers, and is completely anonymous.

Featured Grants and Funding Opportunities

Below are some featured grants and funding opportunities from the multitude of open grants listed in our Grants and Funding Opportunities Database on our website. Our website is updated weekly with new listings and updates and all are applicable to our region, so it is a great resource if you are looking for funding for a specific project.

You can also sign up to our free Business and Infrastructure Funding Opportunities and the Community Grants and Award Programs newsletters through the simple form located in the footer of our website, www.rdani.org.au, to receive monthly summaries of current grants.

 

Venue Upgrade Grants - Infrastructure and Equipment - 2026/27
Closes: 28th of September 2026 - 2:00 pm
Value: Up to $300,000
Run By: NSW Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport

This grant supports dedicated live music venues to purchase equipment, undertake infrastructure works and to install high-end audiovisual systems and advanced lighting technology.

Dedicated live music venues can apply for a grant to support equipment purchase and infrastructure works up to $150,000 or high-end audiovisual systems and advanced lighting technology up to $300,000. You can only apply for one type of venue upgrade, not both.

This funding aims to:

• build capability of dedicated live music venues to deliver world class audience and visitor experiences
• increase the number of fit-for-purpose live music venues in NSW
• increase sector knowledge and expertise in best practice sound management and sustainable live music programming
• increase diversity of live music offerings
• increase accessibility and access within venues
• improve venue energy and climate sustainability
• increase venue technological capacity.

Venue Upgrade Grants - Infrastructure and Equipment will run as a two-stage application process:

• Stage one - Applications to the expression of interest round will close at 2pm on 28 September
• Stage two - Venues successful at the expression of interest round will be invited to submit a full application.

 

On Farm Connectivity Program - Round 3
Closes: 15th of October 2026 - 5:00 pm
Value: $1,000 to $20,000
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts

The On Farm Connectivity Program Round 3 assists Primary Producers to take advantage of digital agribusiness solutions to boost productivity and improve safety. The grant is provided as a rebate to Approved Suppliers following the sale, delivery, installation, and training, where applicable, of eligible equipment to eligible Primary Producers. Eligible Primary Producers must access the program through an Approved Supplier.

The program forms part of the Australian Government’s Better Connectivity Plan for Regional and Rural Australia. To support equitable access to funding, assessments will be prioritised for applications where the Primary Producer has not previously received a benefit under earlier rounds of the On Farm Connectivity Program.

 

Aboriginal Sport for Respect Grant
Closes: 6th of October 2026 - 1:00 pm
Value: $3,000 to $25,000
Run By: NSW Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport

The Aboriginal Sport for Respect Grant program enables Aboriginal organisations and communities to design and lead activities that reflect local priorities and ways of knowing, fostering respectful relationships through genuine partnership with the sport and active recreation sector.

The key objectives of the program are to:

• Support Aboriginal-led Prevention through Sport: Enable Aboriginal communities, organisations and leaders to design and deliver primary prevention activities that reflect local priorities, strengths, culture and Aboriginal ways of knowing.
• Promote safe, respectful and inclusive sporting environments: Support projects that use sport and active recreation to strengthen respectful relationships, challenge harmful attitudes and behaviours, and promote safety, inclusion and belonging
• Address the drivers of DFSV in culturally meaningful ways: Support projects that respond to the gendered, colonial and social drivers of domestic, family and sexual violence in ways that are culturally safe, strengths-based, trauma-informed and community-led.
• Build local capability and partnerships for prevention: Strengthen the ability of Aboriginal communities, sport and active recreation organisations, ACCOs, DFSV prevention specialists and local partners to work together and embed prevention into everyday sporting activities, leadership, policies, practices and community engagement.
• Strengthen learning and impact through Aboriginal-led reflection and evaluation in sport: Embedding culturally appropriate reflection, continuous evaluation and storytelling to understand what works, what is meaningful for communities, identify opportunities to strengthen impact and how Aboriginal-led approaches can inform future prevention activity and investment.

 

Festivals Australia - Round 23
Closes: 13th of October 2026 - 11:30 pm
Run By: Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts

Festivals Australia provides funding to support individual art projects in regional or remote locations. Eligible projects take place at festivals, or significant one-off community events such as a town celebration or opening of a new community resource.

Festivals Australia will:

• provide access to a diverse range of engaging, innovative arts projects that grow audiences at festivals across regional and remote Australia,
• support partnerships and collaboration across the arts sector, and
• encourage community participation in arts projects at regional and remote festivals.

The program delivers two funding rounds each year usually opening in February and September.

 

Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Place-Based Treatment
Closes: 26th of October 2026 - 2:00 pm
Run By: Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

This grant opportunity supports the delivery of evidence-informed alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment services that help reduce the harms associated with AOD use and support recovery.

Funding will support withdrawal management, rehabilitation, aftercare and other treatment pathways that improve access to care, respond to individual needs, and strengthen connections to broader health and social supports.

The grant opportunity aims to improve treatment access and outcomes, reduce harmful AOD use and psychological distress, enhance social inclusion and economic participation, and contribute to long-term reductions in AOD-related harm.

What's On in the Northern Inland

Community Events

Pilliga Ultra 2026
Friday 18th to Sunday 20th of September
Narrabri

Spring Plains Ball — Twilight on the Plains
Saturday 19th of September
Spring Plains

Warialda Off Road 200
Saturday 19th to Sunday 20th of September
Warialda

Antiques & Collectables Fair
Saturday 19th to Sunday 20th of September
Uralla

Tamworth Dachshund Festival
Saturday 20th of September
Tamworth

Teddy Bear Picnic at Pringys Farm
Saturday 19th of September
Balnagask

Spring Fair — St Philomena's School
Sunday 20th of September
Moree

Spring Family Fun Day
Sunday 20th of September
Kootingal

Natalie May Kids Puppet Show
Saturday 26th of September
Narrabri

Westpac Helicopter Charity Golf Day
Sunday 20th of September
Narrabri

Spring Equinox at the Australian Standing Stones
Monday 21st of September
Glen Innes

City of Lights Festival
Friday 25th to Saturday 26th of September
Tamworth

Run the Plains
Friday 25th to Saturday 26th of September
Moree

Woolbrook BBQ & Live Music
Friday 25th of September
Woolbrook

Armidale Car Meets — Charity Meet for Oncology Armidale
Saturday 26th of September
Armidale

Come and Try Day — Barraba Potters & Craft Guild
Saturday 26th of September
Barraba

Success with Fruit Trees Workshop
Saturday 26th of September
Inverell

Warialda Honey Festival
Saturday 26th of September
Warialda

Teddy Bear Picnic @ Quirindi Rural Heritage Village
Saturday 27th of September
Quirindi

Glen Innes Junior Cricket School Holiday Bash
Wednesday 30th of September
Glen Innes

Pop Up Coffee Shop at TAFE Glen Innes — Can Assist Charity
Thursday 1st of October
Glen Innes

Guyra TroutFest
Thursday 1st to Monday 5th of October
Guyra

CREATE 2026 Festival Opening Night
Friday 2nd of October
Narrabri

Peter Allen Festival & Spring Food and Wine Experience
Friday 2nd to Monday 5th of October
Tenterfield

New England Sporting Car Club 60th Anniversary
Saturday 3rd to Sunday 4th of October
Armidale

Create in Walcha
Saturday 3rd to Sunday 4th of October
Walcha

Fossicking in the Gem Rich New England Region
Saturday 3rd to Monday 5th of October
Glen Innes

Glen Innes Spring Show Jump
Saturday 3rd to Monday 5th of October
Glen Innes

Tamworth World Cup Qualifier 2026 — Showjumping
Thursday 8th to Sunday 11th of October
Tamworth

Narrabri Portrait Prize — Opening Night
Friday 9th of October
Narrabri

Designing Food Gardens
Saturday 10th of October
Inverell

Unleash the Gwydir Black Dog Ball
Saturday 10th of October
Bingara

Gunnedah Spring Rose Show
Friday 16th to Saturday 17th of October
Gunnedah

Inverell's Got Talent
Friday 16th of October
Inverell

Back to the Bush
Saturday 17th of October
Barraba

Fiesta La Peel 2026
Saturday 17th of October
Tamworth

Tintinhull Spring Fair
Saturday 17th of October
Tintinhull

Creative Streets Festival
Saturday 17th of October
Armidale

19 for 19 Challenge 2026
Sunday 18th of October
Armidale

Capitol of Country Tennis International Men
Sunday 18th of October to Sunday 1st of November
Tamworth

High Country Long Lunch
Saturday 17th of October
Walcha

Jump, Climb, Ninja Time!
Friday 23rd of October
Inverell

Walcha Bowling Club 90th Birthday Fundraising Day
Saturday 24th of October
Walcha

New England Garden Festival
Saturday 31st of October
Armidale

New England Peonies Open Day
Saturday 31st of October
Arding

 

Community Connections

Absolute Care & Social Support Seniors Group
Weekly on Fridays
Tamworth

Gallery Community Choir
Weekly on Fridays
Tamworth

Australian Standing Stones Parkrun
Weekly on Saturdays
Glen Innes

Drop In and Draw
Weekly on Saturdays
Tamworth

Gallery Guided Tours
Weekly on Saturdays
Tamworth

Manilla Parkrun
Weekly on Saturdays
Manilla

Narrabri Parkrun
Weekly on Saturdays
Narrabri

Nemingha Community Garden — Open for Visitors and Volunteers
Weekly on Saturdays
Nemingha

Tamworth Parkrun
Weekly on Saturdays
Tamworth

Walcha Parkrun
Weekly on Saturdays
Walcha

Sunday Funday at the Gallery
Weekly on Sunday
Tamworth

Weekly Women's Tea & Talk
Weekly on Mondays
Tenterfield

Social Tennis at Glen Innes Tennis Club
Weekly on Tuesdays
Glen Innes

Square Dancing with Phoenix Squares Tamworth
Weekly on Tuesdays
Tamworth

Casual Scottish Gaelic Lessons
Weekly on Tuesdays
Glen Innes

Snack n Chat
Weekly on Wednesdays
Glen Innes

Tech Savvy Seniors
Weekly on Wednesdays
Walcha

The Glen Innes Chapel Theatre Open Mic Night
Friday 2nd of October (1st Friday of the month)
Glen Innes

Hillgrove Social Night
Saturday 3rd of October (Monthly)
Hillgrove

Armidale Birdwatchers
Sunday 4th of October (Monthly)
Armidale

Kids Yoga at the Community Garden
Wednesday 7th of October
Tamworth

Tough Guy Book Club
Wednesday 7th of October (Monthly)
Tamworth

Local Advisory Committee Meeting — Currabubula
Thursday 8th of October
Currabubula

Empower Golf Clinic
Tuesday 13th of October (2nd Tuesday of the Month)
Narrabri

Old-time Music Jam
Wednesday 14th of October (2nd Wednesday of the month)
Armidale

Let's Make Art
Thursday 15th of October (Monthly)
Tamworth

Manilla Councillor Catch Up
Saturday 17th of October
Manilla

 

Markets

Armidale Region

Armidale Farmers' Market
Sunday 11th of October
Armidale

Gunnedah Shire

Gunnedah Country Markets
Saturday 19th of September and 17th of October
Gunnedah

Glen Innes Severn

Glen Innes Cottage Markets
Every Saturday
Glen Innes

Glen Innes Men's Shed Car Boot & Markets
Saturday 26th of September and 24th of October
Glen Innes

Glen Innes Scout Hall Car Boot and Market
Sunday 4th of October
Glen Innes

Emmaville Courthouse Markets
Sunday 11th of October
Emmaville

Inverell Shire

Inverell Sapphire City Markets
Sunday 20th of September and 4th and 18th of October
Inverell

Tingha Community Markets
Saturday 3rd of October
Tingha

Liverpool Plains Shire

Quirindi Rural Heritage Village Miniature Railway
Sunday 25th of October
Quirindi

Moree Plains Shire

Pally Bush Markets
Sunday 18th of October
Pallamallawa

Narrabri Shire

Boggabri Country Markets
Saturday 10th of October
Boggabri

Kev's Big Breakfast & Markets
Saturday 26th of September and 24th of October
Wee Waa

Narrabri Rotary Markets
Saturday 3rd and 31st of October
Narrabri

Tamworth Region

Manilla Museum Markets
Saturday 19th of September and 17th of October
Manilla

Le Pruneau Organic Markets
Every Saturday
Tamworth

Peel Street Markets
Sunday 20th of September and 18th of October
Tamworth

Calala Markets
Saturday 26th of September and 24th of October
Calala

Tamworth Community Saturday Markets
Saturday 26th of September and 10th of October
Tamworth

Craft Shed Markets
Saturday 3rd of October
Tamworth

Woolomin Markets
Saturday 3rd of October
Woolomin

Tenterfield Shire

Tenterfield Farmers & Producers Market
Saturday 19th of September and 17th of October
Tenterfield

Drake Village Markets
Saturday 26th of September
Drake

Tenterfield Railway Markets
Saturday 3rd of October
Tenterfield

Torrington Market Day
Sunday 4th of October
Torrington

Uralla Shire

Bundarra CWA Spring Markets
Saturday 26th of September
Bundarra

Uralla High Country Markets
Sunday 4th of October
Uralla

Walcha

Walcha Farmers' Market
Saturday 19th of September and 17th of October
Walcha

Woolbrook Market
Saturday 24th of October
Woolbrook