Our Projects

At RDA we want to help stimulate economic development at the grass roots level in Broken Hill to ensure that services and businesses continue to thrive and provide the community with much needed jobs, products, services and sustainability. There are a vast range of grants available but finding them and applying for them can be time consuming and complicated, RDAFW provides a local resource to make this process easier for the small business owner or not for profit organisation.

While we are unable to write the application on your behalf, we can assist in finding an appropriate grant, guiding you through the process and providing feedback on your submission. If your organisation or business has an opportunity for growth and development that you would like funding assistance with, please call or drop by the RDA office for a confidential discussion.

The Awards celebrate Far West NSW businesses and recognises outstanding contributions to the growth of our economy. They provide a vibrant showcase of innovation and progression from the region’s businesses.

The Awards also recognise the important social and environmental contributions made by organisations through excellence of service, commitment to their customers, philanthropic ideals, ethical behaviour and environmental sustainability.

The Excellence in Business Awards are an opportunity to honour the diversity, innovation and excellence of the Far West region’s businesses, small, medium and large.

There’s no doubt that the significance of winning an award carries on over a long period of time.

The application process itself helps businesses review their performance and focus on core strengths and goals, and is a great opportunity to plan for the future. It’s also a good way to benchmark against others in similar industries.

If you’re striving for excellence, then an awards application process will help you raise the bar.

Link: Far West Excellence in Business Awards

View a video of the 2014 Far West Business Awards

RDA FW Training and Employment Co-ordinator Adrian Camilleri, has been working with employers, students and schools to create pathways to enable young people to obtain Apprenticeships, Traineeships and School Based Apprenticeships & Traineeships within the city.

Opportunities in the region are growing with more than 130 apprenticeships and traineeships offered in the last nine months.

If you require further information contact Adrian at RDA Far West 8087 8383

Renew the Far West aims to find artists, cultural projects and community groups to use and maintain empty buildings until they become commercially viable or are redeveloped. Renew the Far West is not set up to manage long term uses, own properties or permanently develop sites but to generate activity in buildings until that future long term activity happens.

Far West Proud is a campaign, championed by Regional Development Australia Far West, that was developed to effectively support this need. Far West Proud is driving growth in the Far West and highlighting what makes the region great by communicating the various aspects that make region a desirable location to live, visit and invest. Far West Proud encourages locals to be think positively about our home in the Great Australian Outback and implements a variety of strategies that inspire positive thinking and positive change.

Far West Gift Cards are an aspect of the Far West Proud initiative that are continually growing. Currently, Far West Gift Cards can be used to purchase goods and services at over 130 businesses through Far West NSW including businesses in Broken Hill, Menindee, Milparinka, Packsaddle, Silverton, Tibooburra and Wilcannia; with more businesses from a range of communities throughout the region jumping on board weekly. By giving a Far West Gift Card you are ensuring that money is spent locally.

More Information

Being involved in the community is important to all of us and this involvement can take many forms.  It can include visiting friends, doing the shopping, going to the movies, playing sport and working.

Most people take for granted the ability to go about their daily lives in the community without experiencing any barriers.

Increasing accessibility is positive for many people in our Far West communities.

The Far West Ramps project will improve access to buildings for people with disabilities to ensure the greatest possible participation in the social, economic, cultural and political life of the community. The project aims to create a truly accessible region, leading the country in creating accessible shopping and dining districts for the disabled, elderly and pram users.

The program will work with business owners from across the region to increase accessibility to their businesses by installing approved ramps and providing other ideas and examples of inclusive practices.

For people with disabilities to have the same opportunities as other people to participate in community life it is important that the services and facilities provided to the community address the access requirements of people with disabilities.  Improving access and inclusion is also of great benefit to everyone in the community including families with prams, seniors and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Through a partnership with Regional Development Australia Far West NSW, Live Better Community Services, Broken Hill Aboriginal Land Council, Ability Links, Central Darling Shire Council, Disability Advocacy, and Broken Hill City Council participation in the program will be free for any business wishing to participate.