Faster broadband communications for business is on the way to Lismore, according to Regional Development Australia (RDA) Northern Rivers chief executive Tim Williamson.

With a major focus on creating jobs and supporting business, this week’s Federal Budget came as no surprise to most people. Mr Williamson said that communications was one of the winners with more investment in broadband service provider NBN Co.

Now, along with a co-investment of $4.5 billion, an additional $700 million announced in the Budget will enable nine in 10 businesses to order high-speed fibre broadband at no upfront cost.

Regional fibre zone

“The government investment will provide higher internet speeds on the NBN network,” Mr Williams said.

“When NBN Co rolls out 240 Business Fibre Zones nationwide, including in Lismore and Ballina, we will become a regional fibre zone and businesses will be able to have very fast broadband.”

Tourism

Mr Williamson said.tourism was also a winner in the Federal Budget, with a $50 million Regional Tourism Recovery initiative announced to support regional tourism operators.

“This is for those who have lost international markets due to the pandemic so they can adapt their offerings, experiences and marketing to attract the domestic market,” he said.

In Lismore, with the recent closing of the Tourist Information Centre, and Lismore City Council’s decision to outsource all tourism engagement work, what do these Budget allocations mean?

Mr Williamson said it was a loss to the tourism industry with loss of Council funding and support.

“But RDA is working closely with Destination North Coast,” he said. "Businesses will get a better hearing if they have a stronger united voice and the tourism industry needs help to get over the Covid impact they have been experiencing.

"So if any businesses want assistance to help them promote themselves, they can access some of the funding available through Destination North Coast instead.”

Future Workforce

Mr Williamson said for RDA, the Budget's financial boost to skills and employment marries well with RDA’s focus on helping young people into the workforce.

RDA recently launched a new web-based employment platform called Future Workforce to support local employers, jobseekers and school leaving students to find the right match. 

“We will work closely with employment facilitators – it’s a key part of our employment strategy. We also support the training and reskilling of the workforce,” he said.

Apprenticeships

The Federal Budget also brings an investment of $1.2 billion to fund 100,000 new apprenticeships through the Boosting Apprenticeships Commencements wage subsidy, available to businesses of any size. 

A new Apprenticeships Data Management system will be created to better support the needs of employers and apprentices to recover from COVID-19. 

A further 450,000 young job seekers and employers will benefit from the back-to-work subsidy payment of up to $200 per week for those under 30 and $100 for those aged 30-35.

Education

Other skills initiatives in the Budget include an additional 14,485 places for Skills for Education and Employment places, to support basic language, literacy and numeracy skills for job seekers and cuts to fees and charges for VET programs.

Employment specific initiatives include extending and streamlining existing programs. 

“The Northern Rivers is one of 25 identified regions that will benefit from the $62.8 million Local Jobs Program, which will focus on reskilling, upskilling and employment pathways to assist people back into the workforce,” Mr Williamson said.

Creative Industries and Communications

The Budget has good news for the Australian screen industry with an additional $33 million pledged to Screen Australia for Australian screen content.

This will see an additional $30 million over two years for Australian film and television drama, children’s and documentary production and $3 million over three years establish a competitive grants program for Australian scriptwriting and script development.

Other initiatives in the budget include:

$30.3 million national Regional Connectivity Program will help improve telecommunications in the region.

$41 million Research and Development Program will support R&D activities, benefitting regional industry.

$5.7 million Building Strong Resilient Leaders initiative.

Additional 14,485 places Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) program to support basic language, literacy and numeracy skills for job seekers.

$5 million to Regional Australia Institute to promote regional living.

$300 million to help modernise Australia’s agricultural export systems.