RDA strengthens regional and remote training for Wheatbelt
Published: 18th October 2012
Economic Development Australia (EDA), with support from RDA Wheatbelt (Western Australia) recently held a Regional and Remote Area Training Program (RRATP) workshop to connect interested regional and remote communities with economic development training.
The workshop was held at the Merredin Leisure and Recreation Centre on 5—6 October 2012 with approximately 30 participants representing seven shires of the Eastern Wheatbelt in attendance.
The program was facilitated by EDA members Damien Martin, Anne Petch and Alison Dalziel. The facilitators presented case studies based on their own experiences in regional economic growth and facilitated an economic development workshop focusing on values, trends, opportunities, issues and barriers.
The determinants of long-term regional economic growth, as agreed by the Council of Australian Governments Regional Australia Standing Council in July 2012, were used to frame discussions around the economic future for the Eastern Wheatbelt.
The program originated in Western Australia and has now been held in several parts of Australia. This was the sixth time it has been held in the Wheatbelt.
“RDA Wheatbelt has been actively involved in promoting the program and involvement has proven to be invaluable in better understanding the drivers of economic growth for our region,” RDA Wheatbelt Executive Officer Rebekah Burges said.
“The real benefit of the EDA program is evident through the positive outcomes that have been achieved in our region to date. For example, the shire of Wagin has formed an Economic Development Committee and the shires of Moora, Dalwallinu and Wongan-Ballidu have initiated a project to develop a Regional Economic Development Strategy.”
“As a result of the recent programs held in Merredin, the Wheatbelt East Regional Organisation of Councils will also look at setting up a process to create an economic development strategy,” Ms Burges concluded.
For more information, visit the RDA Wheatbelt website or contact Rebekah Burges at rebekah.burges@rdawheatbelt.com.au or at 08 9625 1504.
(Pictured above) Participants at the Regional and Remote Training Program held in Merredin (Western Australia) on 5—6 October 2012.