Regional Development Australia (RDA) Northern Rivers is a not-for-profit, community-based organisation funded through the Australian Government’s Regional Development Australia Initiative. RDA committees are made up of local people who understand their communities and are committed to helping their region thrive. RDAs work collaboratively with local governments to identify local priorities, address regional issues and identify opportunities for sustainable growth.
Regional Development Australia
The Regional Development Australia Initiative is a national network of 50 committees across Australia’s capital cities and regions, including the Indian Ocean Territories, Norfolk Island and Jervis Bay Territory. For more information, please visit the website www.rda.gov.au.
Regional Development Australia organisations are integral to delivering the Australian Government's vision for regional Australia and supporting the implementation of the Regional Investment Framework.
Read the RDA CharterRDA Northern Rivers' role
RDA Northern Rivers plays an active role across the region, serving as an effective link between government, industry and our local communities. As a trusted conduit, RDA Northern Rivers provides real-time advice to all levels of government on key development issues, opportunities and challenges effecting the Northern Rivers.
The RDA network is focused on building strong, resilient and prosperous regional economies. This is achieved by supporting economic development, encouraging local procurement, contributing to strategic regional planning and helping inform government programs and infrastructure investment decisions.
Working across Government, Business and Community
RDA committees nation wide draw on their local knowledge, cross-sector expertise and strong regional networks to:
- Collaborate with integrity, transparency, respect and accountability.
- Engage with diverse communities across their regions, with a strong commitment to listening to and working alongside First Nations peoples.
- Support the Australian Government's vision of ensuring that no one is held back and no one is left behind.
- Champion opportunities that advance gender equality and strengthen regional communities.
Connecting Government Goals to Local Action
As representatives of our local communities, we:
- focus our activities and strategy on the delivery of the Regional Investment Framework in our region, including investment in people, places, services, industries and local economies,
- support regional stakeholders, including local government and the not-for-profit-sector, to seek grant opportunities that advance strategic regional priorities,
- support decarbonisation efforts and the transformation to a net zero economy and enable regional linkages between sectors to achieve these aims,
- build evidence for economic development, including innovation and diversification strategies,
- facilitate meaningful engagement across the three levels of government to ensure investments deliver better outcomes for regions, and
- contribute relevant data and local intelligence to support the evidence base to inform regional development strategies, program design and policy responses.
The people behind the work
RDA Northern Rivers is driven by a dedicated group of local leaders, staff and community members committed to the economic future of our region.
Work with us
Interested in joining RDA Northern Rivers? Explore current opportunities.
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