Regional Development Australia (RDA) Far North is a partnership between the Australian, State and Local Governments to support the growth and development of Australia’s regions. RDA Far North’s board members and staff aim to build partnerships between governments, regional development organisations, local businesses, community groups and key regional stakeholders to provide strategic and targeted responses to economic, environmental and social issues affecting the region.

RDA Far North covers a vast region of 799,850 square kilometres which takes in the sparsely settled country of the north of South Australia. It accounts for over 75% of the State's land mass and has a population of approximately 28,670 people. Port Augusta is the largest community in the region and acts as a vital service centre for the region's widespread and diverse, small and micro communities.

The region incorporates two of Australia's tourism icons - the Flinders Ranges and the Outback. It also contains the majority of SA's priority mineral exploration regions and the cross roads of Australia's national land transport network.

Significant opportunities for economic growth in the northern region exist in the sectors of resources, tourism, transport, defence, services, food and arts. RDA Far North is committed to fostering this growth for the benefit of the Far North regional community.

Far North South Australia is roughly defined as the area from the Aboriginal Lands on the Western Australian border following a line east along the Eyre Highway incorporating the Gawler Ranges to Yunta and Cockburn in the east, and all areas northwards to the Queensland and Northern Territory borders.

Port Augusta is the largest city in the region, covering an area of 1,153 square kilometres with a population of 13,808 (2016). Port Augusta is the major service centre for the mid and far north of South Australia.

The Flinders Ranges sub region covers an area of 4,130 square kilometres with a population of 1,689 (2016). The majority of the population resides in the townships of Quorn, Hawker and Cradock. The major industries in the Council region are tourism and agriculture, with mainly cropping in the southern area moving to pastoralism further north into the region.

The Flinders Ranges Council (FRC) is a stakeholder of Regional Development Australia (RDA) Far North.

The RDA Far North website can be found here: http://www.rdafn.com.au/

RDA Far North provide numerous services to FRC and can be contacted at:

2a Stirling Road
PO Box 1762
PORT AUGUSTA SA 5700

Telephone: +61 8 8641 1444 
Email: reception@rdafn.com.au

Services Include:

• Economic Development
• Business Development
• Employment, Skills and Workforce Development
• Grant assistance and guidance