NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

Our Secretary Steve Orr appeared on a panel at the Regional Australia Institute conference this week where he talked about what the department is doing to ensure even better liveability in the regions. The factors that directly influence and impact the liveability of each regional town or community varies across the state, but the priority is to ensure that people have access to critical infrastructure, digital connectivity and essential services such as healthcare, childcare, schools and emergency services that they need to go about their business, jobs and daily life. 📷: Regional Australia Institute. Photographer: Matthew Beaver.

The Welcome Experience is expanding to support the delivery of a skilled workforce in our regions.   The program will now be available online in 52 local government areas across the state.  Launched in June last year, The Welcome Experience has helped 511 essential workers to find a new home in regional NSW, settle into their communities, enrol their kids in school, join sporting clubs and assist with finding a job for their partner.  The program has been such a success, it is now being rolled out in Albury, Bathurst, Dubbo, Kiama, Inverell, Port Macquarie, Queanbeyan and more - giving essential workers considering making the move, more choice and opportunity to experience all that regional NSW has to offer.   To find out more about The Welcome Experience, visit --> https://lnkd.in/gWuD_rSy

Recently, Dr Melinda Coleman swam 8km for the first time ever – a long held personal goal. And neither is she a stranger to achievement in her professional life. Melinda is a global expert on kelp forest conservation, the Co-editor in Chief of the journal of the Phycological Society of America, and the first female Senior Principal Scientist in Fisheries and Forestry. A staff member with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, she was recently awarded the 2024 Individual Staff Award. So, what’s the secret to her success? “Hard work!" Melinda said, "And being around like-minded people who have the same passions while working collectively to achieve certain goals." Melinda’s work is both inspired and motivated by her love of the natural world, and in particular the kelp forests of the NSW south coast, where she snorkels. Ensuring their survival has informed her work on the Marine Heat Wave Response Plan for NSW, which lays out critical strategic planning is in managing the effects of climate change to ensure the conservation of kelp forests. “Our kelp forests and our seaweeds are habitats that underpin a lot of the values of our marine estate. Like trees and forests on land, that's the role that different seaweeds play underwater,” she explained. “Kelp forests are often out of sight and out of mind, but they're super important in supporting a lot of our ecological and marine estate values."

Penny McKee has experienced genuine inclusion and support with the Department of Primary Industry and Regional Development (DPIRD). “After the birth of our second daughter, I was diagnosed with a progressive cystic lung condition, known as Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). The condition only affects women, and it meant that I needed less physically demanding work than my role as a secondary English and Drama teacher.” “When I chanced upon the department, it had everything I was looking for in an organisation including flexible work options that suited my changing health needs.” “I contacted the department's recruitment team who reviewed my resume, discussed my options, and placed me in a disability talent pool.” “While I’d never identified as having a disability before, my lung condition was causing all sorts of restrictions on my daily capabilities. But I could still write, I could still meet deadlines, engage with stakeholders, manage my time and utilise the skills I had developed as a teacher.” “Once fully briefed on what sort of adjustments I needed at my workplace, the recruitment adviser actively sought out opportunities for me and when a role came up in the Economic Programs team I was recruited.” “Before starting my role, I was contacted by the department who checked on the adjustments that might be required at my workplace, and this follow through has continued during my time at the department. At DPIRD, diversity and inclusion are more than just words, they are authentic, actioned and accounted for.” Penny McKee works as a Media and Comms Adviser for the Department of Primary Industry and Regional Development. In 2024, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has been recognised by Australian Disability Network as a Disability Confident Recruiter employer.

“Our department is ranked in the top 1 per cent of research institutes globally in the fields of agriculture, fisheries, forestry, biosecurity, environment, and ecology – and we are a world leader in delivery of research relevant to sustainable primary industries.. It is a privilege to protect, support and develop agriculture to feed our future.” - Steve Orr, Department Secretary at the NSW Farmers Annual Conference.

Congratulations Matthew Lai on 30 Incredible Years with NSW Public Works! 🎉   We are thrilled to celebrate a remarkable milestone for Matthew Lai, who has been part of NSW Public Works for 30 years as of July 11, 2024! 🎂👏   From his very first day back in 1994, Matthew has witnessed and contributed to countless changes and developments. He fondly remembers his early days as a Grade 1 Graduate Engineer, navigating a world with no internet, mobile phones, or laptops, and has grown to become a Senior Project Manager, leading many successful projects across the region.   Reflecting on his three decades with NSW Public Works, Matthew shares, “Public Works has been so much a part of my life, offering endless opportunities to learn and grow, both professionally through diverse and interesting projects and personally through the amazing people I’ve met along the way. I am incredibly grateful for the support I’ve received and the chance to contribute to our community and future.”   Matthew’s journey is a testament to how dedication, perseverance, and a bit of ingenuity can lead to incredible achievements.   To mark this special occasion, there was a celebration at the Wagga Wagga Public Works office with Matthew’s favourite cake, honouring his dedication and contributions over the years. 🍰🎉   Here’s to many more years of success and fulfilment, Matthew! Thank you for being such a valued member of NSW Public Works. 💬: Tamarin Taylor

Give a little, change a lot! 🙌 In October 2023, Jade joined Carers NSW's Young Carer Skills Project to tackle workforce challenges and support young caregivers like herself. Balancing work, studies, and caregiving for a family member, Jade faced numerous obstacles, including a lack of a driver's license, debt, financial stress, and unstable housing. After six months of personalised guidance, career coaching, and industry-specific training, Jade has achieved so much! She earned her P-Plates, found her own rental accommodation, and secured a position with a local disability service provider. Her confidence and well-being have soared, and she's thrilled about her future career path. By empowering young caregivers to become disability support workers, the program boosts their confidence and career prospects while enhancing workforce participation in regional areas.  We are proud as a department to support the Young Carer Skills Project.

Round 2 of the Regional Aboriginal Partnerships Program will support Aboriginal businesses and organisations across regional NSW to grow their operations, establish new employment and training pathways.    Delivered by a network of Aboriginal staff living and working on Country with Community, the program will continue to work with young people, schools and organisations to support more meaningful and stable training and employment outcomes.    Find out more or have a yarn with an Aboriginal Partnership Manager --> https://lnkd.in/g4W2THrn 

As part of the Regional Development Trust, the program will increase workforce participation by supporting increased childcare availability and service upgrades in the local government areas of Bourke, Broken Hill and Cobar. This funding will be available to eligible childcare providers to expand or upgrade their services, which could include: ➡️ renovating or expanding current childcare facilities to accommodate extra children ➡️ offering more services to increase childcare availability ➡️ delivering pre-employment and professional development programs to attract and retain childcare workers. The upgrades and expansions to these services will help parents and carers enter or return to the workforce, attract essential workers and strengthen the workforce in remote communities. Find out more --> https://lnkd.in/g4g6Wr_V

Working for the department provides so many opportunities to explore the regions and work with communities. 🤩 👏 🙌