Strengthening Regional Ties: A Day in the Scenic Rim

The team from RDA Ipswich & West Moreton recently hit the road to the Scenic Rim, marking the first official regional visit for newly appointed Chair, Councillor Nicole Jonic of Ipswich City Council.

Kicking Off with Jon Krause MP
The day began with a productive meeting with Jon Krause MP, where discussions centred on key initiatives including the Growing Workforce Participation Grant, the IWM Jobs Portal, and the development of community fact sheets. A major highlight was the upcoming Agricultural Employment Study, aimed at identifying new job opportunities across the region. It was a warm welcome for Cr Jonic and a strong start to the day’s engagements.

Partnership Conversations with Scenic Rim Regional Council
Next stop was a roundtable with the Scenic Rim Regional Council, where the RDA team continued introductions and acknowledged Cr Duncan McInnes for his vital role representing the region on the RDA Board.
Key topics included:
🔹 Enhancing the IWM Jobs Portal to better reflect local needs
🔹 Supporting fact sheets through state and federal collaboration
🔹 Progress and future directions for the ag employment study
🔹 Ongoing delivery of the Growing Workforce Participation Grant

With a clear focus on collaboration, the session reinforced the importance of working together to strengthen regional outcomes.

A Taste of Agritourism at The Overflow Estate 1895
The final visit of the day was to The Overflow Estate 1895, one of the region’s premier agritourism destinations and a participant in Scenic Rim Eat Local Month. Cr Jonic connected with local operators ahead of their upcoming Long Lunch by the Lake, hearing firsthand how such events are driving tourism, growing hospitality offerings, and creating local jobs.

The day concluded with scenic views, engaging conversations, and even a new furry friend for Cr Jonic—capturing the essence of community, culture, and economic development in the Scenic Rim.