March 2025 Column by Janelle Saffin MP
I WAS pleased late last month to deliver another of my major election commitments — $250,000 in State funding for Business NSW Northern Rivers to develop a strategy to support the economic recovery, wellbeing and revitalisation of our region.
The ProspER Northern Rivers Regional Economic and Environment Plan will help identify opportunities and reduce barriers for long-term sustainable economic development across eight local government areas, from Tweed Shire to Tenterfield Shire and south to the Clarence Valley.
I advocated strongly for this initiative because I could see early on that there can’t be community flood recovery without economic recovery, and that demands a coordinated strategy.
I wanted the business chamber to drive this and I have been working closely with Business NSW Northern Rivers Regional Director Jane Laverty.
This will dovetail very nicely with the regional masterplan about to get underway.
Jane Laverty sees ProspER Northern Rivers as an exciting opportunity for a whole-of- region approach to sustainable economic development that is specific to the Northern Rivers and our community values.
“The timing is right to enlist and engage with passionate and knowledgeable advocates for the Northern Rivers and ensure we live up to our potential today whilst also setting up the next generation of NorRiveans for success,” Jane says.
The ProspER Northern Rivers Regional Economic and Environment Plan will provide strategic advice on economic and environmental risks facing the region to help future-proof economic development, create new opportunities for different types of jobs and industries, and support entrepreneurship.
The initiative will be guided by a Regional Project Steering Group made up of local representatives including First Nations and youth participants who will work with community, business and local councils to develop the plan.
The plan will identify opportunities to help local businesses and industry thrive, with a focus on innovative projects that create opportunities for economic development in other industries and communities.
It will also help develop a method to identify both risks to existing businesses and potential growth opportunities in industries such as eco-tourism, creative industries, value-add manufacturing, sustainable agriculture, health care innovation and renewable energy.
Such projects could include development of a health precinct to attract Allied Health businesses, and Food Connect Precincts housing for-rent commercial kitchens and office spaces to support micro-enterprises.
The plan also aims to build capacity, attract investment, act as an advocacy tool for future funding opportunities, and help grow regional branding and identity.
Good Neighbours Program tackles pest & weed menace
I WELCOME the Minns Labor Government’s strengthened commitment to tackling pest and weed infestations between neighbouring public and private lands across our Electorate of Lismore.
The $10-million Good Neighbours Program, led by Local Land Services and involving other agencies, Landcare and local councils, will undertake 21 initial biosecurity projects in priority areas, benefiting local farmers and communities.
I fully backed in this major election commitment to support public and private land managers working together to better manage invasive species to protect the profitability of our agricultural sector and our rich biodiversity.
Some local projects:
- Job’s Tears Eradication Program — Led by Rous County Council, Landcare and landholders, eradicating Job’s tears from creek lines in the Kyogle and Lismore City LGAs.
- Tropical Soda Apple Eradication (TSA) Program – Targets Tropical soda apple across the Lismore City, Kyogle, Tweed Shire, Byron Shire, Ballina, and Richmond Valley LGAs, led by Rous County Council, community groups and landholders.
- Cane Toad Program — Joint efforts between the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Local Land Services, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Forestry Corporation of NSW, Landcare and private landholders to control cane toads on the North Coast.
BUSINESS FOCUSSED: Launching the ProspER plan are, from left, NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery and Lismore MP Janelle Saffin, Summerland Bank Chief Operating Officer Donna Kildea, The Casino Food Co-op CEO and Northern Rivers NSW brand chairman Simon Stahl, and Business NSW Northern Rivers Regional Director Jane Laverty.
