News

In June 2025, Regional Development Australia Mid North Coast (RDAMNC) CEO Dr Madeleine Lawler initiated research into artificial intelligence (AI) impacts on regional industry, economy and education. This work has evolved into an ongoing taskforce aimed at ensuring the Mid North Coast adapts to AI change rather than being disrupted by it.

Why This Research Matters

Dr Lawler discovered that how you measure AI’s impact dramatically changes what you find. When researchers look at entire job categories (like “administrative assistant” or “accountant”), the results appear catastrophic: nearly half of all regional workers could lose their jobs, costing the local economy $4.49 billion.

But when the same researchers examine specific tasks within those jobs, the picture changes completely. Most jobs contain a mix of tasks – some that AI can handle, others that require human skills. Using this task-based approach, only 12-18% of workers would be significantly affected, with economic impact dropping to $1.2-1.8 billion. 

This isn’t just an academic difference. These numbers determine how much government funding the region receives, what types of training programs get developed, and whether communities panic or plan.

What the Research Found

The good news: most workers will keep their jobs. National research shows 79% of workers are in roles with low automation risk. AI is more likely to become a tool that helps people do their jobs better rather than replacing them entirely, “AI isn’t going to replace jobs, people who know how to use AI will”, stated Dr Lawler.

The challenges: different sectors are adapting at different speeds. Technology companies are racing ahead while schools and government lag behind. A quarter of workers are already using AI tools without any official training or guidelines, creating potential problems.

Regional areas like the Mid North Coast face specific hurdles. There are fewer opportunities to use AI as a productivity tool compared to cities. Administrative workers (many of whom are women) face higher automation risk, and older workers often lack confidence with digital tools.

The opportunities: businesses using AI early are seeing productivity improvements. Entry-level jobs remain stable. Most importantly, we’re still in the early stages of this transition, giving communities time to prepare rather than just react.

Taking Action

Rather than wait for change to happen, Dr Lawler conducted an AI experiment. Dr Lawler created an Employment Intelligence Dashboard using the Nowcast of Employment and Regional Occupations (NERO) dataset from Jobs and Skills Australia.

This tool monitors 355 different types of jobs in the region, showing which ones are being affected by AI and how quickly changes are occurring. Think of it as an early warning system that helps the region plan ahead.

September 2025 Taskforce Meeting

On 11^th September 2025, Dr Lawler convened regional leaders at Bellingen Memorial Hall to address a central question: Would the Mid North Coast let AI happen to them, or shape how it happens?

Stakeholders from councils, academia, industry and community organisations shared current AI usage within their organisations, revealing varying levels of adoption and governance.

Infrastructure Presentations

NBN Co Regional Update: Chris Simon, Regional Manager Northern MNC, presented local network progress and AI’s impact on power grid infrastructure.

Telstra Connectivity Analysis: Regional Manager Joshua Fulwood outlined connectivity challenges and opportunities in regional Australia, including AI’s effects on internet and power consumption.

Digital Sovereignty Focus: University of New England’s Mitchell Smidt presented research on “shadow AI” usage in business and education. His presentation highlighted risks of uncontrolled AI adoption:

• Intellectual property exposure
• Security and privacy vulnerabilities
• Competitive advantage erosion
• Unintentional outsourcing

UNE’s response was developing “Madgwick,” a sovereign AI platform named after the university’s first vice-chancellor. The system provides NSW-based infrastructure with access to large language models while maintaining local data control.

“To combat the inequity and the shadow AI, we built a sovereign platform locked down to New South Wales where we can get access to any of the LLMs that we want,” Smidt explained.

Current Objectives

The taskforce aims to:

• Develop AI capability across the region
• Plan workforce redirection and transition strategies
• Maintain community strength during technological change
• Coordinate responses rather than leaving adoption to chance
• Ensure regional advantages rather than disadvantages from AI development

Next Steps

RDAMNC continues stakeholder engagement across demographics and industries to develop plans reflecting the broader regional community. The organisation will provide periodic updates on taskforce progress and expand participation to include varied ages, backgrounds, genders and professional sectors.

Project Status

This is an active, ongoing initiative. The September meeting established foundations for continued collaboration. Future activities focus on building regional AI readiness while maintaining community cohesion and economic stability.

The taskforce operates on evidence that coordination surpasses isolation, and that regions still have time to influence AI outcomes rather than simply react to changes imposed from elsewhere.

To learn more about the AI Taskforce, explore RDA Sydney’s article here.

What is a Circular Economy?

A circular economy is an economic model that focuses on maximising the use of resources by promoting the reuse, recycling, and remanufacturing of products, rather than following a traditional linear model of “take, make, dispose.” In a circular economy, the lifecycle of products is extended, and waste is minimised, fostering a regenerative system that benefits both the environment and the economy.

The key benefits of a circular economy include the reduction of waste, conservation of natural resources, and the lowering of carbon emissions. By redesigning products for durability, repairability, and recyclability, businesses can reduce their reliance on virgin materials, thus decreasing environmental impacts. Furthermore, circular practices can stimulate innovation, create new business opportunities, and contribute to job creation in recycling, remanufacturing, and repair sectors.

In the context of waste management, the circular economy enhances practicality by providing a systematic approach to divert waste from landfills and incineration. It encourages the development of sustainable waste management systems, including the use of technology to optimise recycling processes. This not only reduces the environmental burden but also creates economic value through the recovery of valuable materials, fostering a more sustainable and economically viable approach to managing waste.

Why is it so important now?

NSW is in a crisis. Within 10 years the city will be out of landfill capacity. Many Councils are currently trucking their landfill waste to Queensland. This is a situation that is dire. Every cubic metre of material saved from landfill matters. Right now only around 60% materials are diverted from landfill. Each year, 500,000 tonnes of soft plastic waste ends up in landfills. The NSW Government is setting targets for 80% diversion from landfill and a significant improvement in the use of circular solutions. This is why RDAMNC, iQRenew and Circular Australia are working to bring the vision for the circular economy to life on the Mid North Coast.

Circular Economy Panel at Ignite Minis 2025

The recent conference featured a comprehensive segment on the Circular Economy, led by Ash Sambrooks from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. The discussion centred on the growing importance of circular economy practices in waste management, highlighting significant opportunities for businesses and communities in New South Wales to embrace a more sustainable, circular approach to resource management.

Ash Sambrooks presented waste statistics for New South Wales, noting that the state generates more waste than any other in Australia. With projections suggesting waste production could nearly double by 2041, the need for effective waste management strategies is increasingly urgent. The Circular Economy model, which focuses on minimising waste and maximising resource efficiency, offers a solution to these challenges. By adopting circular principles, businesses can reduce their environmental impact while unlocking new growth opportunities.

Liz Jeremy from Concatenation, highlighting strategies for designing out waste, extending product lifecycles through reuse and repair, and supporting natural ecosystem regeneration. Jeremy’s work underscores the critical role of circular economy principles in reducing emissions and enhancing the resilience of regional infrastructure, particularly in the face of growing extreme weather events.

The Norfolk Wave initiative, led by Lilli King on Norfolk Island, exemplifies circular economy success. The program has reduced waste, increased recycling rates, and empowered local communities through sustainable practices, including recycling glass into sand and using resin for concrete. In partnership with local organisations, the initiative aims to reach an 80% recycling rate by 2025.

Graham Knowles, representative from iQ Renew and Circular Australia, outlined plans for a Regional Circular and Manufacturing Precinct at Kundle Kundle, set to become a hub for circular economy activities. By leveraging rail infrastructure, the project aims to reduce carbon emissions and improve waste processing efficiency. The precinct will foster innovation, create jobs, and help the region transition to a sustainable economy.

Rail into Kundle Kundle

The Rail into Kundle initiative proposed by iQ Renew, is a transformative project designed to enhance waste management and boost resource efficiency for regional councils in New South Wales. By leveraging existing rail infrastructure, the initiative aims to create a Circular Economy precinct at Kundle Kundle, reducing transportation costs and carbon emissions while fostering sustainable manufacturing industries that use waste as a resource.

This project is crucial for the Mid North Coast as it addresses rising waste processing costs and logistical challenges faced by regional councils. It will provide a cost-effective solution by establishing a regional hub for processing recyclables and organic waste, reducing reliance on landfill and virgin materials. Additionally, the project aligns with national sustainability goals, contributing to emissions reductions and economic growth.

The benefits of the project include local job creation, reduced carbon footprint (up to 16 times less than road transport), and the stimulation of local industries through waste-to-product manufacturing. It will also support NSW’s sustainability targets and Circular Economy objectives by diverting significant amounts of waste from landfills and encouraging innovation in recycling technologies.

Regional Development Australia Mid North Coast is supporting the project due to its potential to drive economic growth, create local employment, and help regional communities transition to a sustainable circular economy. By fostering collaboration between councils, industry stakeholders, and government agencies, the initiative promises long-term environmental and economic benefits for the region.

RDAMNC Project Details

Regional Development Australia Mid North Coast (RDAMNC) has actively advocated for the adoption of a Circular Economy in the region via iQ Renew’s ‘Rail to Kundle’ initiative. We have highlighted key local leaders within industries, showcasing their expertise and insights at various events. These leaders have been promoted to stakeholders both within and outside the region to build a network of support for sustainable practices. RDAMNC is currently lobbying government bodies to secure funding for circular economy initiatives, with a specific focus on a grant application. The outcome of this grant will be communicated later this year, marking a significant step towards advancing circular economy initiatives in the Mid North Coast, fostering long-term sustainability and economic growth for the region.