The winners of the 2025 Regional Development Australia (RDA) Awards were announced in Canberra last night, celebrating how the RDA network supports regional communities. 

The Awards, now in their second year, provide a chance to recognise the initiatives driven by RDA committees which have supported local economies and fostered further resilience in regional Australia.

Awards in four categories were up for grabs in 2025, representing the core of RDA’s charter.

The Award for Investing in People went to RDA Murraylands and Riverland (South Australia) for their integrated suite of wellbeing and leadership initiatives to support communities recovering from flood and prolonged drought. 

With a keen focus on uplifting mental health and building long-term resilience, over 260 emerging local leaders attended workshops and courses giving them the skills and confidence to lead recovery, mentor peers, and advocate for their communities.

The Award for Investing in Places went to RDA Darling Downs and South West (Queensland), on the back of its 2025 Regional Housing Audit. 

Responding to the region’s housing shortfall, the audit consolidated data and insights from 11 local government areas, ABS data and input from experts to create an evidence base for future investment and planning. 

The Award for Investing in Services was picked up by RDA Mid North Coast (New South Wales), which includes Norfolk Island, swept the category with its widely-applauded business case for the Country Universities Centre on Norfolk Island. 

Now with a fully dedicated Regional Study Hub as a result, the current and next generations of Norfolk Island students no longer need to fly to mainland Australia for a university degree.

Wrapping up the awards, RDA Eyre Peninsula (South Australia) won the Award for Investing in Industries and Local Economies. 

The RDA-commissioned Eyre Peninsula Housing – Infrastructure Challenges and Options Paper resulted in an additional $3 million in investment in the region, unlocking critical infrastructure projects and driving housing development. 

In all four categories the winners were joined by a suite of RDAs from all over the nation recognised with special commendations for innovative solutions to unique local issues.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, Kristy McBain MP:

“Once again, deciding the winners for this year’s RDA Awards was a tough job.

“The fields were strong thanks to the remarkable innovation consistently on display in Australia’s regions.

“I congratulate the winning RDAs and indeed all of the creative solutions from RDAs to deliver for communities.

“It underscores the importance of the RDA network, 50 organisations nationwide that live and breathe community led solutions and local innovation.”

About Regional Development Australia network:

The RDA network consists of 50 committees across Australia and represents a broad range of experiences including local government, private sector, community and not-for-profit sectors. RDA committee members are dedicated leaders who advise the government on critical regional development issues, opportunities and challenges in their regions.

In supporting their communities, RDA committees help to drive local economies, attract business opportunities and seek place-based solutions to make Australia's regions even better places to live, work and thrive.