Regional and Remote Area
Economic Development Training
Program (RRATP)
Adam Saddler – National Coordinator
Economic Development Australia
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RRATP Development
• The program was developed through a trial period in
Western Australia
• EDA successfully sought funding from Regional
Development Australia (RDA) to implement the program at a national level.
• Program has been operational with a national coordinator
for 18 months and been delivered in about 20 regions across Australia
• The aim of the RRATP is to provide a positive impact
through the sharing of economic development expertise for remote and regional communities of Australia.
RRATP Structure
• Normally consists of 3 sessions:
– Introduction of EDA facilitators and recipients, then EDA facilitators present a case study each
– Presentation of the economic development toolbox and the tackling of local issues (team approach)
– Summary and wrap up session (team approach)
• The RRATP program can be varied to suit recipients from a 1 day workshop
focusing on the ED Toolbox and its application to a full program delivered over approximately 2.5 days.
• Is delivered in an informal flexible manner and is designed to be enjoyable and
rewarding.
• Although EDA members deliver the program pro bono, costs of travel,
RRATP Target Audiences
• Regional and remote local government ED
practitioners
• Council staff
• Elected Members
• Regional and State economic development
organisations and practitioners
• Community members
• Chambers of commerce, tourism associations, business
RRATP Benefits
Benefits to Communities
• Increased awareness in regional and remote areas of Australia of
economic development and EDA.
• Increased capacity for regional areas to progress their economies. • Promotion of the synergies between regional/remote Australia and
major centres.
• Increased skill levels and understanding for those who undertake
the workshops.
• An opportunity to become part of a national network of economic
development practitioners.
• Introduction of independent thinking on economic development
RRATP Benefits
Benefits for EDA members
• No cost to you or your organisation, apart from your time. • Gain 10 points towards your accreditation as a recognised
economic development practitioner.
• Expand your EDA network.
• Interact with other like-minded economic development
practitioners.
• Gain a broader understanding of economic development
Overview of ED toolbox session
•
Background of the program
•
Defines Economic Development
•
Presents a proposed model
•
Provides examples of elements of the model
•
Discusses a “Where to from here?”
ED Toolbox Model
Research Consultation Policies/ Strategies Projects EngagementResearch
• Look, I've got certain
information, certain things have come to light, and uh, has it ever occurred to you, man, that given the nature of all this new shit, that, uh, instead of running around blaming me, that this whole thing might just be, not, you know, not just such a
Research
This component
•
Defines research;
•
Identifies research or data sources;
•
Provide some questions when analysing
research methods; and
•
Identifies areas of research that assist in
Consultation
• I want the truth! • You can’t handle
Consultation
This component:
•
Identifies the importance of consultation
throughout the process;
•
Suggest bodies to consult with and why;
•
Highlights requirements of “meaningful”
consultation; and
Policies, Strategies & Plans
In summing up, it's
the Constitution,
it's Mabo, it's
justice, it's law, it's
the vibe and –
No, that's it.
Policies, Strategies & Plans
This component:
• Identifies why an organisation or entity would develop
an economic development policy, strategy or plan;
• Identifies what is involved in the development of such
documents;
• Acknowledges that there is no “one size fits all”
solution; and
• Provides a series of questions that would be addressed
Projects
I want it all,
I want it all,
I want it all,
and I want it
NOW!
Projects
This component
•
Identifies the vast array of possibilities when it
comes to economic development projects and
activities;
•
Discusses the complexities of decision making;
and
•
Identifies issues and questions that arise when
Engagement
This component:
•
Highlights the importance of engagement with
all stakeholders;
•
Identifies activities involved in keeping up the
engagement; and
•
Discusses the “messages” that effective
Topics tackled in RRATP workshops
Regional collaboration – both public and private enterprise Working with government at all levels
Economic diversification
Economic development planning and strategy development Improving housing stocks
Planning for public transport
Government funding/grants
Recognition of the rural areas
Topics tackled in RRATP workshops
Investment attraction
Retention of the younger generation Value adding to primary production Leadership
Infrastructure development Land use planning policy Marketing
Capacity building
Ageing demographic and impacts on the workforce Development of business entities
Tangible results
•
People actively engaging in economic
development discussion, activities, etc
•
Appointment of economic development officers
•
Establishment of economic development
committees of council
•
Development of economic development plans
and strategies
•
Building economic development networks across
Testimonials
Manager - Community Services, Wagin Shire
“It was a very exciting step forward for all of us on the weekend. Your continuous chain of relevant examples, advice and creativity were dimensions we all learned from and hopefully we will maintain an ongoing contact with you and other members of the group. The energy that our community members and councillors
demonstrated really gives us the momentum to facilitate the beginnings of ED for this town”.
Testimonials
Executive Officer - RDA Wheatbelt
“To ensure that our region is sustainable in the long term it is imperative that we plan for and actively drive growth in new and diverse industries outside of agriculture. The training program offered by EDA provides the momentum for economic development planning to occur. So far we have had six successful workshops held in various
locations across the Wheatbelt and I have seen firsthand the huge benefit to the communities that have
Testimonials
Tourism and Community Development Officer, Tasman Council
“The chance to have community representatives, Council staff and Councillors together to discuss Economic
Development issues and opportunities doesn’t eventuate often. That we were able to do this with such relevant
practitioners and expertise to guide discussion was
extremely well received; we now have the bones of an
Economic Development Plan and the impetus to ensure it eventuates”.
RRATP Delivery
•
The RRATP is gaining momentum and producing
results.
•
RRATPs have been delivered in QLD, WA, SA, NSW
and Tasmania and more are in the planning
pipeline.
•
For more information please visit
http://www.edaustralia.com.au/resources/region
al-remote-area-training-program-rratp
Economic Development Australia
To register your interest for the program
please contact
Adam Saddler - National Coordinator
