Local businesses to help guide region’s future direction

REGIONAL business leaders are being asked to take part in a series of end-of-year surveys and forums aimed at shaping the Northern Rivers’ economic direction into 2026 and beyond.

Business NSW Northern Rivers Regional Director Jane Laverty said the next few weeks offered several chances for operators to contribute to long-term planning across the region.

“2025 has been a jam packed year of thought leadership events for us, with record participation and contribution from our business leaders. And we still have a number of brilliant opportunities before we get to Christmas, so we’re digging deep and encouraging everyone to get involved.”

One of the key initiatives is the ProspER Northern Rivers Business Retention and Expansion Survey, which will help inform recommendations to strengthen the region’s business environment and inform ProspER Northern Rivers – the Regional Economic and Environment Plan 2040. Regional leaders are being encouraged to complete the survey and ask five other businesses to do the same to broaden the dataset. “ProspER has been funded by the NSW Government and is our chance as business leaders to shape the future of the region’s business environment and ensure it is one which we can all thrive and sets up the next generation for success.” Says Jane.

Manufacturers and makers from across the region will gather on Wednesday 10 December for the Making it! in the Northern Rivers Forum at Invercauld House, running from 8.30am to 1.30pm. The event will explore the forces shaping the future of manufacturing and making in the region, including supply chains, skills, technology, energy use and sustainability.

Business strategist and author Steve Tighe will lead the forum’s scenario-planning session, helping operators prepare for opportunities and challenges heading toward 2040.

Regional leaders will also have two separate opportunities to work with Tighe in the weeks ahead:

a four-week scenario-planning and foresight program starting on 25 November, offering professional development in strategic thinking and scenario building; and

four 1.5-hour intensive sessions on 4–5 December focusing on the drivers of change likely to affect the region over the next 15 years.

Young leaders will have their chance to connect at the Northern Rivers Young Professionals Network event on Wednesday 3 December, with an afternoon leadership session designed to support emerging leaders aged 21–39. The session is open for any young professional in the region to attend, no matter what industry sector, trade or profession you are in. “We want to ensure we are creating opportunities and reason for our up an coming leaders to stay in the region – think of it as the leaders of today ensuring the young professionals coming through see our grass in the Northern Rivers as greener – than the other side.” Jane says.

Advocacy remains a priority, particularly around the rising cost of doing business. Workers compensation continues to be a major issue raised by local operators, and Business NSW will launch a new online advocacy forum, RL45, in 2026. The 45-minute lunchtime sessions will allow regional leaders to workshop key issues and track the progress of reforms.

As the year winds down, Laverty encouraged business owners to stay engaged and continue contributing to regional decision-making.

If you are interested in any of the Business NSW events and projects you can get more information from businessnsw.com or call 13 26 96