RDA-Northern Rivers

01/06/2026

Are you a Northern Rivers producer, grower or food business? 👨🏽‍🌾
Then don't miss this practical 5-week Lunch & Learn series designed to help you explore value-adding, diversification and new income pathways.

Hosted by Vitality Farms Northern Rivers, a growing regional food and farming network connecting producers, partners and community around healthier soils, stronger local food systems and a more vital Northern Rivers.

Find out more about each session and register here:

What could your produce, surplus, waste stream, skills or idea become? Join this practical 5-week series exploring value-adding, viability and next steps.

29/05/2026

Friday night fun at Kingscliff Beach Bowls Club!

It was such a pleasure to host another great social event for The Welcome Experience last Friday night. Bringing together Essential Workers and their families for an evening of connection, laughs and prizes 🤩

A big thank you to Summerland Bank and Kingscliff Beach Bowls Club for their generous support with lucky door prizes and gift bag items highlighting the local area — it was greatly appreciated by all!

If you or someone you know is an Essential Worker* who has recently moved, or looking to make the move, to the Northern Rivers make sure you register for The Welcome Experience and have a chat with our wonderful Local Connector Lisa.

*You can learn more about The Welcome Experience, eligible industries and its benefits here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/regional-and-primary-industries/makethemove/welcome-experience

28/05/2026

Request For Quote.

RDA Northern Rivers is seeking suitably qualified consultants to undertake a comprehensive Northern Rivers Enabling Critical Infrastructure Prioritisation Study.

The Northern Rivers region continues to experience significant population growth, housing demand, workforce pressures, and increasing pressure on essential services and infrastructure networks.

Read more on the submission details here: https://www.rdanorthernrivers.org.au/request-for-quote-northern-rivers-infrastructure-study/

Enquiries:
All enquiries regarding this RFQ should be directed to:

Anthony Schreenan
Director of Regional Development
Regional Development Australia Northern Rivers

Phone: 0407 724 110
Email: [email protected]

RDA Northern Rivers reserves the right not to progress with any or all submissions received.

14/05/2026

Lismore City Council is revising its long-term growth and place making strategies to secure a vibrant, safe and prosperous future. Help shape that future by having your say!

11/05/2026

🏅C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S!
Announcing Winners of the Adults Category - Our Northern Rivers Photography Competition

1st Prize: Renee Trezise - The Other Giant's Causeway, Fingal Head
2nd Prize: Christine Evans - Holiday Fun, Yamba Sea Pool
3rd Prize: Rachel Avery - Bath Time Eastern Osprey, Hastings Point

SHORTLISTED:
Bailey Carrasco - Winding Rivers Murwillumbah
Wayne Basedow - North Wall Ballina
Lutz Bendig - Whale Watching, Off Shore Cape Byron
David Guillau - Kangaroos at sunrise, Angourie Bay
Bernard West - Comet Atlas towards Murwillumbah, Duranbah
Carlie Fairburn - People of the Sea, Seven Mile Beach, Lennox Head
Alex Smith - Beach Groynes after Cyclone Alfred, New Brighton Beach

👏👏👏👏👏

11/05/2026

🏅C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S!
Announcing Winners of the Youth Category - Our Northern Rivers Photography Competition

1st Prize: Harry Gilbert - Glow Worms, Burringbar Tunnel .g_photography
2nd Prize: Xavier Allman - Defined By Water, North Wall Ballina
3rd Prize: Reuven Taminiau - Macadamia Sunset, Dunoon .t.pix

SHORTLISTED:
Levi Kidd - Morning Glow, Wooli
Harry Gilbert - Byron Lighthouse, Byron Bay
Alyce Togo - The Celebration, Cudgen Football Leagues Club
Remy Lems - Sea Lettuce, Shelly Beach Ballina
Reuven Taminiau - Splashin Water, Angels Beach Ballina
Erin Salerno - Rise and Shine, Minnie Waters
Eli Lenehan - Celestial Wrath, Maclean Lookout Lions Park

👏📷👏📷👏📷👏

11/05/2026

Would you like to give something back to your community?

RDA Northern Rivers is seeking regional leaders with vision, drive and/or business experience who are able to facilitate investment in people, places, services, and industries and local economies and work with stakeholders to support delivery of Australian Government’s strategic priorities.

Click the link to find out more: https://www.rdanorthernrivers.org.au/about/work-with-us/

07/05/2026

The Department of Home Affairs, through its Business, Industry and Regional Outreach (BIRO) network, invites you to attend upcoming free information sessions on submitting decision ready employer nominations & visa applications.

These sessions are open to any Australian business employers with the aim to improve the quality of employer nominations and visa applications. The session will include practical guidelines to help employers prepare and submit complete applications.

To register for one of these webinars, click on the link below:
· Tuesday 19 May – 11:00am AEST
· Thursday 21 May – 11:00am AEST
· Monday 25 May – 02:00pm AEST
· Wednesday 27 May – 02:00pm AEST

Submitting Quality Employer Nominations & Visa Applications Tickets | Register via TryBooking Australia: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1566715

06/05/2026

Are you looking for a role where you can make a real impact?

Regional Development Australia Northern Rivers (RDA NR) is seeking a dynamic Local Connector to deliver tailored, concierge like services in the local government areas of:
· Clarence Valley
· Richmond Valley
· Kyogle

You’ll engage directly with the community, local employers, essential workers, and their families, helping them feel connected and welcomed in the region.

If you are passionate about community engagement and problem-solving, we’d love to hear from you!
Find out more here: https://www.rdanorthernrivers.org.au/about/work-with-us/

01/05/2026

Minns Labour Government announces the expansion of The Welcome Experience in the Northern Rivers.

The Minns Labor Government has supported 178 essential workers to relocate to the Northern Rivers through The Welcome Experience program.

The service was introduced to the Northern Rivers in late 2024 in the local government areas of Tweed, Byron, Ballina, Lismore and Richmond. Due to the success of this service, the program is being expanded to include all seven Northern Rivers LGAs with Clarence Valley and Kyogle, supporting more essential workers and families make the move.

About The Welcome Experience

The Welcome Experience was established in an original 11 pilot locations in 2023 to improve health, education, policing and emergency services in regional NSW, The Welcome Experience has grown to support more than 3,000 frontline workers to make the move.

It is a free service supporting essential workers and their families who are considering applying for or have accepted a job in either government or non-government eligible sectors such as health, aged care, education, veterinary services, policing and emergency services.

The workers considering a move are linked to a Local Connector who can help with the realities of relocating with the practicalities of finding housing, choosing childcare, finding a relevant sporting or interest group, plus exploring job opportunities for partners.

Are you an Essential Worker thinking about relocating to the Northern Rivers?
Find out more here: https://www.nsw.gov.au/regional-and-primary-industries/makethemove/welcome-experience

Image (L-R):
Richards – Local Connector, The Welcome Experience, Northern Rivers
Schreenan – Director of Regional Development, Regional Development Australia Northern Rivers
NSW Minister for Agriculture, Regional New South Wales, and Western New South Wales – Tara Moriarty
Katrina Melville – Northern Rivers Essential Worker
NSW Minister for the North Coast and Member for Lismore – Janelle Saffin