Regional Australia Institute

Tune in to the latest episode of Small Biz Matters as they dive into the key takeaways from our #RegionsRising National Summit! 🎙️ Hear from top experts, CEOs, and politicians on the pivotal role #SmallBiz plays in driving regional economic growth and stability. In this episode, you’ll hear from: 👉 Liz Ritchie, CEO of Regional Australia Institute 👉 Hon Kristy McBain MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government 👉 Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie, leader for Nationals in the Senate 👉 John Cleland, CEO of Essential Energy 👉 Sam Dimarco, GM Regional & Remote at nbn® Australia 👉 Hacia Atherton, CEO of Empowered Women In Trades (EWIT) Group Catch it on your favorite podcast platform like Spotify or iTunes. Don't miss out on these valuable insights! 🎧 #RegionsRising #RegionalAus #EconomicGrowth #PolicyAndPurpose

The RAI’s work takes us far and wide across the nation and in the last few weeks our CEO, Liz Ritchie has visited some beautiful regional destinations in NSW. Last week at the #BushSummit2024 in Orange, NSW, Liz delivered a powerful message to a room full of politicians, policymakers and regional leaders, who came together to address the challenges facing regional communities: “As millennials lead the charge in the regional tree change movement, we stand on the brink of transformational growth. The challenge? Ensuring we have the people and infrastructure to build thriving communities for generations to come.” Liz’s panel included our two Regional Australia Council partners Gavin Williams from nbn® Australia and Jessica Irvine from Commonwealth Bank – it was the ideal opportunity to showcase how the RAI’s industry partnerships are making a difference, working as system for the system. Meanwhile, at the Social Impact in the Regions event in Kempsey, NSW, Liz took to the stage for a keynote on the Regionalisation Ambition 2032, sharing the RAI’s learnings and recommendations to support more Australians living in our regions. Following that, she joined a dynamic panel of leaders to explore investing in regional social impact. Liz shared a personal experience of what leading systems change is like: “It’s akin to riding down the Grade 6 rapids on the Nile River, it’s exhilarating, and anxiety producing, but then you build momentum and the eco-system rallies, movement and action are real; however, inevitably at some point you or a partner will be thrown out of the boat, submerged in water and struggling to get back on board, until a hand reaches out to you and pulls you back up, then you glide forward once more.  You’re exposed and you’re vulnerable, which is why it’s deeply emotional work that can never be done in isolation.” #RegionalOpportunity #MillennialsInMotion #SocialImpact #RAI #InvestingInCommunities #FutureOfRegions

Get ready, Tasmania! The RAI's flagship event series is coming to Launceston on Wednesday, 23 October! 🚀 Join us at #RegionsRising Tasmania as we bring together industry experts, regional leaders, policymakers, and the community to tackle key issues like workforce and skills, the circular economy, and digital innovation. Our lineup includes Liz Ritchie, CEO of Regional Australia Institute, alongside: 🎤 The Hon. Jeremy Rockliff - Premier of Tasmania 🎤 The Hon. Catherine King MP - Federal Minister for Infrastructure 🎤 James Cornish - Elders State General Manager Tasmania …plus, many more leading speakers! 🎟️ Don't miss out on our exclusive ticketing options, including discounts for RAI members and corporate tables. Plus, Regions Rising attendees can get discounted tickets to the Regional Development Champions event hosted by Regional Development Australia Tasmania right after! Big thanks to our national partners nbn® Australia and Elders, and our event sponsor Regional Development Australia Tasmania for their generous support. Secure your spot now and be part of the conversation shaping Tasmania's future! 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gfwwP8-t #RegionsRising #Tasmania #RegionalDevelopment

Entrepreneurs with great ideas now have the opportunity to be part of a unique grants program that aims to support creative digital solutions for regional Australians! Take your business to the next level through the Innovate with nbn® Australia Grants Program!

Australia’s rural and regional communities are at the heart of the nation’s renewable energy shift. As highlighted in our recent report, Towards Net Zero: Empowering Regional Communities, this transformation is as significant as the industrial revolution, offering once-in-a-generation opportunities. To make the most of this shift, we need to put communities at the centre of the renewable energy transition. The report has recommended the development of an Energy Transition Hub, to provide practical advice to regional communities and businesses – and the RAI isn’t the only organisation supportive of that. Let’s ensure renewable energy information and support is readily available, so it can strengthen and renew our communities. #TowardsNetZero #LocalEnergyHubs #RegionalAustralia #RenewableEnergy #CommunityPower | RE-Alliance

Thank you Hannah Speers, for sharing your story with us at the #RegionsRising National Summit. Our purpose is to empower the regions to thrive, and the work you are doing in your community is a living testament to that. Thank you for using your voice and your story to better regional Australia.

Power isn't just about energy, it's about influence, opportunity and change. As we transition to net zero, regional Australia stands at the heart of this monumental shift, ready to drive our nation forward. In her latest article, RAI CEO, Liz Ritchie discusses the findings from our newest research, Towards Net Zero: Empowering Regional Communities. This report emphasises the critical role regional communities play in our path to net zero and the need for collaboration, investment and planning for a sustainable future. Don't miss out on this vital conversation about the future of our regions. Read the full article now and discover how we can build a legacy of power that benefits all Australians. 🌱⚡ 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gt9VRjiz #NetZero #RegionalAustralia #Sustainability #RenewableEnergy #FutureReady #RAI

State of the Nation: Regional Movers Index (RMI) edition This quarter’s RMI, created in partnership with CommBank Business and Institutional, has helped to shine a spotlight on what’s happening across the entire country, when it comes to population movement. New analysis has uncovered which five local government areas in each state and territory are attracting the largest share of internal movers. Whilst coastal areas particularly in Queensland remain popular with both city and regionally based relocators, this map shows communities with robust local economies and job opportunities are where movers are flocking to. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ghK7AcKG

The Federal Government’s Growing Regions Program - Round 2 is almost here! With $393 million available, this is your chance to secure funding for capital works projects that will enhance liveability, boost social cohesion and improve local amenities in regional, rural and remote areas. Eligible local government entities and not-for-profits, start preparing your applications now. Don’t miss this opportunity to make a real impact in your community! 🗓️ Applications open 5 September 2024 and close 10 October 2024. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gsZrmGv4

We’re still celebrating the success of last week’s RAI #RegionsRising National Summit. We’d like to extend a big thank you to Airbnb, one of this year’s Gold Sponsors. Airbnb’s commitment to addressing housing challenges in regional Australia, through innovative research and robust support for local hosts and communities, aligns seamlessly with our mission to strengthen and grow regional economies and communities. During the summit, our attendees were immersed in a dedicated housing panel, featuring Michael Crosby representing Airbnb, that discussed the critical issue of housing availability and affordability in regional areas. The panel highlighted Airbnb’s active role in contributing to solutions, including their Short-term Rental Policy Toolkit and City Portal initiatives, which call for policymakers to collaborate on sustainable housing policies that support regional communities. Our partnership is a testament to Airbnb's commitment to fostering safe, thriving communities in regional Australia, and we look forward to continued collaboration to drive positive change in our regions. #Airbnb #RAI #StrengtheningOurRegions