2023 Inland Growth Summit

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Event Overview

2023: Bridging the Divide.

RDA Orana has been working on the issue of growth, well forever. But we got a lot clearer on the issues in 2018, following an in-depth study into what was holding the region back. Key issues included:

declining populations
the state of the education system in regional, rural and remote areas: families leave as soon as their kids hit high school
migration policy and law
social policy
availability and investment in housing
equitable access to services (i.e. health)
access to reliable key infrastructure (telecommunications, energy, water and transport) and
the cost of living

What we recognised is that

these issues aren't unique to our region
the context of regions is not well understood, (especially when policymakers include places like Adelaide, the Sunshine Coast, the Gold Coast, Newcastle, Central Coast, Geelong, and Illawarra are all classified as regional)
attracting Australians to Inland Australia is a very different pitch because most Aussies seem to prefer the coast and finally
Doing business in less saturated markets is just hard.

We established the Inland Growth Summit, as a way to begin to bring community and business leaders, policymakers, community and economic development professionals, local government Mayors, Councillors, General Managers and staff and last but not least advocates for change together to raise the profile of the issue. This is our fifth year and sixth summit. (Any profits from the summit are also used to fund our research and advocacy work).

We use the summit as a think tank and a showcase: what needs to be changed, what are the priorities and who is doing something pretty awesome that could be replicated in other communities?Inland Growth is a sustainable growth problem, we need to raise the profile of inland regional Australia with the Government. The ultimate goal is stronger policies and incentives for people and businesses who choose to make Inland their homes.

The summit is an opportunity to be part of the solution.

A FULL PROGRAM OF EXCHANGE AND OPPORTUNITY

Our Agenda

Day 1: Looking to the Future

8:30 am Registrations

8:55 am

Session 1

9:00 am

Welcome to Country

9:10 am

Welcome, Brad Cam

9:20 am

Official opening by The Hon Kristy McBain MP, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories

9:35 am

Opening comments from the Hon Dugald Saunders MP, Minister for Western NSW

9:50 am

Keynote address Simon Kuestenmacher

11:00 am

Networking morning tea

11:30 am

Session 2 - Changemakers

We've used the term changemaker for this session, as regional success comes from so many individuals contributing to their communities - in different ways. We don't focus on just social issues - sustainable growth comes from getting the balance right between social, economic, environmental, and technical innovation. The essence of a changemaker for us is someone who is forward-thinking and has an impact bigger than themselves. Panelists include Brewarrina's Christopher McHughes; Hugh Eastwood of Photo Create which will be facilitated by Kerrieanne Nicolls.

1:00 pm

Lunch Break

1:45 pm

Session 3 - Innovation and Impact

"Having a go" is often considered the essence of the bush. This panel includes 4 speakers who have dreamed big and made a difference. The panel includes Lousia Keily of Carbon Farmers Australia (a BMO Radicle Company); Megan Jones of Circular PV Alliance, Joh Leader from Leaderlife and Nic Hinwood, KEO who will talk about finding authenticity. The panel facilitator is NBNs Tom O'Dea.

3:15 pm

Afternoon tea

3:45 pm

Session 4 - Foundations for the Future

Session 4 is a little bit weighty, but it's all about the stones we need to lay, as we build ourselves and our region up. The panel facilitated by RDA Southern Inland's Carissa Wells will feature Murray Wood, CEO of Dubbo Regional Council, Kate McArthur, Senior BDM from the Port of Newcastle, Kim Houghton from the Regional Australia Institute and Barbara Bannister from UNE STEM Education who will talk about the foundations necessary to attract and retain people and businesses in inland regional areas.

5:30 pm

Day 1 Session Close

Day 1: Conference Networking Dinner

Western Plains Cultural Centre

6:00 pm

Dinner registrations

7:00 pm

Welcome to Dubbo Region, Richard Ivey, Deputy Mayor, Dubbo Regional Council

7:15 pm

Welcome to Country (Aunty Sandra & Uncle Phil's Dancers)

7:45 pm

Past meets present: the Native Secrets Story, Phil and Cherie Thompson

9:00 pm

Close of Day 1

Day 2: Creating Communities

8:30 am Registrations (Taronga Western Plains Zoo)

8:55 am

Session 5

9:00 am

Keynote by Ashley Fell: Communities of the Future

9:50 am

Session 6 - Creating place

First impressions count, when we're trying to attract people and build confidence in our future. How we approach place planning for our public spaces, residential subdivisions and streetscape places a key role in perception of place. The panel includes Gilgandra Shire Council's Kathryn Larkin, Travis Doherty from Adaptable Innovations, MAAS Group CEO Wes Maas and the RAI's Move to More Campaign Manager Laureta Wallace

11:00 am

Morning tea

11:30 am

Session 7 - Creating Communities

In the previous session, we discussed community infrastructure, this session focuses on community connections. The importance of adaptation, resistance and being open to change. The panel includes Forbes Shire Council Mayor Phyllis Miller; Leeton Shire Council's Multicultural Coordinator Ken Dachi and Squadron Energy's Felicity Taylor-Edwards.

1:00 pm

Networking Lunch

1:45 pm

Session 8 - Promoting Place

Got infrastructure and a great community? The next step is promoting place. This session brings together tourism, business and real estate with the panel including Mid-Western Regional Council's Alina Azar (Love Mudgee - Top Tourism Town), the Committee for Ballarat CEO Michael Poulton and Laura Shooter, the Orana region's Co-chair of the Real Institute of NSW and Steve Hinks, GM of Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

3:15 pm

Afternoon tea

3:45 pm

Collaboration for Success

We'll finish the two days of terrific insights, comments and thoughts with a quick workshop addressing key questions: making meaning - how can we link and strengthen RAI's Regionalisation Agenda? What are we going to do with what we heard? and How can we collaborate better to share pain and success?

4:45 pm

Summit Close

GET YOUR TICKETS

Ticket Options

Day 1

$175

Can't make the full two days? A 1-day ticket registration may be the answer. Day 1 focuses on thought leadership with sessions including

- Welcome featuring The Hon Kristy McBain, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories

- Changemakers

- Innovation and Impact

- Foundations for the Future

Day 2

$175

Can't make the full two days? A 1-day ticket is the answer! Day 2 focuses on Creating communities. Sessions include:

- Creating place

- Creating communities

- Promoting place

The day concludes with a workshop

Networking dinner only

$120

The Summit networking dinner is being held at the Western Plains Cultural Centre, where the "Past Meets Present".

The aim of this dinner is make sure you get in as much networking as possible. We've included a couple of informative and entertaining presentations, including Uncle Phil's Dancers, who will Welcome us to Country, as well as the story of Native Secrets.

The ticket price includes drinks on arrival.

Summit Package

$380

Join us for the full two days at Taronga Western Plains Zoo and a networking dinner at Western Plains Cultural Centre. You'll enjoy the program that's been developed to enhance your community and business.

Day 1 - Looking to the Future

Dinner - Past Meets Present

Day 2 - Creating Communities

Orana Outlook Dinner

$175

Arriving in Dubbo Monday afternoon?

Join RDA Orana at our bi-annual Orana Outlook Dinner, being held at Lazy River Estate.

The dinner starts at 5:30 pm with networking and includes

Address by the Hon Kristy McBain, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories

A keynote address by Craig James, Chief Economist Comsec

and a pollies panel that includes

the Hon Kristy McBain, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories
the Hon Mark Coulton, MP, Member for Parkes
the Hon Dugald Saunders, MP, Member for Dubbo, Minister for Western NSW and Minister for Agriculture
Mr Roy Butler, Member for Barwon and
Mr Craig Davies, Mayor of Narromine and Chair Western Alliance of Councils.

The panel will include time for an audience Q&A

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Our FAQs

What time does the event start?

Both days start at 8:30 am for networking over tea and coffee. The Gates at the Taronga Western Plains Zoo will be open from 8:15 am

What's the dress code

The dress code for all of the Inland Growth Summit Events is business casual.

The dress code for the Orana Outlook Dinner is Smart Business.

Why should I attend

5 Reasons You Can't the Miss Inland Growth Summit:

No.1 - Take a deep dive into “the opportunities and challenges” faced by communities in inland Australia

No.2- Get a “new perspective” and gain the “latest industry knowledge”. Not only by listening to presentations, but you can also share views on similar challenges. There are always new things inside and outside your field that you can learn!

No. 3 – “Stay ahead of current trends” shaping Australia with our keynote speakers

No.4 – “Boost your network and build new collaborations”. Meet with business and industry professionals, government and industry thought leaders that have similar interests and goals for regional Australia

No. 5 - Bring new ideas and collaborations to your workplace

Who should attend?

Community, business and government leaders interested in overcoming the issues faced by Inland Regional Australia.

You'll benefit if you are:

- a Mayor or Councillor

- GM or senior staff

- Policymaker

- Work in or have an interest in community development

- Work in or have an interest in economic, business or industry development

- an Urban planners

- a Property developers

- a Place makers

- a person who has an idea on how to improve inland regions