April - June 2024 Newsletter

CEO intro On behalf of the RDA GW committee and staff, I'd like to welcome our two new council representatives to the committee. Melissa Westcott and Belinda Hassan join us from Isaac Regional Council and Mackay Regional Council respectively, as part of RDA's "eyes and ears" in the broader community. Council representation is an important role on the committee, not just for informing RDA on priorities for each region - but also for communicating back to each council and community with what is happening at RDA. For this quarter, our focus has been on continuing with major and minor projects across a vast array of industries and stakeholders. For further updates, follow our Facebook or LinkedIn pages. Regards, Robert Cocco CEO - RDA GW

Women in Leadership Bowen Basin Thanks to funding from the Local Buying Foundation, we have been able to recreate our successful Women in Leadership program in the Bowen Basin - aimed at enhancing leadership development. The first induction event was held recently, with 25 female participants and their respective mentors getting together to learn about how the program works and kick off networking and learning opportunities. Housing Project updates Some very exciting updates have been happening with the Housing Alliance Project, most notably including: Applications from Tier 1 Community Housing Providers (CHP) submitted for developments in all three LGAs (Mackay, Isaac, Whitsunday). The three workforce accommodation solutions for Mackay are all progressing, with the Alliance looking for core tenants to headlease units in all of them. The Isaac Affordable Housing Trust (IAHT) has successfully in secured funds for affordable housing in the Isaac. WRC has been proactive in its dealings with Whitsunday Housing Company to bring a tiny house solution forward. They have also issued expressions of interest in WRC land that Blue CHP has successfully applied for. The Alliance has scoped a regional project to explore the repurposing of two commercial properties in each of the LGAs. Manufacturing industry update Thank you to the Mackay Manufacturing Hub for inviting our CEO Rob Cocco to speak at a recent industry update event on renewables projects across the MIW region. Looking at existing, in construction and proposed projects, Rob presented on Renewable Energy Production and Supply - and what it means for our manufacturing sector.  Tourism placements RDA GW Chair Jeff Stewart-Harris and CEO Rob Cocco have been "filling in" at our local tourism body, Mackay Isaac Tourism, as the acting CEO and acting Chair respectively. While the organisation is overcoming some internal challenges, Jeff and Rob are helping to bridge the gap. Tourism offers a real opportunity for regional development, and this is RDA's way of helping out a key sector in our region.

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