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   RAI Regional Champions: Craig Sinclair

The work of the RAI would not be possible without the ongoing support of organisations and individuals across regional, rural and remote Australia.

They are a collective coalition working alongside the RAI to build a better future for regional Australia, by turning the dial on the 20 targets outlined in the RAI’s Regionalisation Ambition. 

Our regional champions ensure the voices of those who live outside of our biggest cities get heard and that’s something we think is worth celebrating, which is why we’d like to introduce you to some of our regional champions.  

Name: Craig Sinclair
Role: Economic and Community Development Manager
Organisation: Temora Shire Council
Location: Temora, NSW
Population: 6,034 (ABS, 2021)

What are three facts about your region that most people don’t know?

The Friendliest Town in NSW – More Than Just a Reputation
Temora has long been known as the ‘friendliest town in NSW’, but this title is more than just a marketing slogan, it’s a reflection of our deep-rooted community spirit. This reputation is solidified through a combination of strong volunteerism, an active community and a genuine culture of welcoming both visitors and new residents. 

It all began in 2005, when an article in Column 8 of the Sydney Morning Herald highlighted Temora's exceptional hospitality, noting its proactive efforts to create a welcoming environment for both residents and visitors. In 2023, Temora's reputation was further solidified by its inclusion in World Atlas' list of the ‘7 Most Welcoming Towns in New South Wales’. 

A Gold Rush Past That Built a Resilient Future
While Temora is now known for aviation, agriculture, and strong local government initiatives, its origins date back to the gold rush of the 1800s. At its peak, the Temora goldfields were some of the richest in NSW, attracting thousands of prospectors. The population quickly grew to over 20,000 people. Although the rush faded, the town’s foundations in resilience, entrepreneurship and innovation remained. Today, that same spirit lives on in our thriving business community and major industries, from broadacre farming to tourism.

Temora Airpark Estate – A Unique Aviation Community
The Temora Airpark Estate is a unique residential precinct where aviation enthusiasts can live with direct access to their aircraft. Located at Temora Aerodrome, it is home to over 100 residents who can taxi from their private hangars to the runway. Integrated with the Temora Aviation Museum, it fosters a thriving aviation community from around the globe. As one of Australia’s leading aviation hubs, it attracts pilots and aviation professionals, showcasing how regional towns can innovate by leveraging unique assets for economic growth, tourism and a vibrant, aviation-focused lifestyle.

What’s a regionalisation win your organisation has achieved?

Driving Housing Growth in Temora: Unlocking Land, Expanding Supply, and Revitalising Vacant Homes
Temora Shire Council is taking a multi-faceted approach to increasing housing availability by accelerating land release, revitalising existing housing stock and planning for future growth. Through strategic initiatives, the Council is ensuring that housing supply keeps pace with demand while supporting affordability and diversity in the market.

Developer Infrastructure Deferred Payment Policy
To stimulate housing development, the Council introduced the Developer Infrastructure Deferred Payment Policy, allowing developers to defer upfront infrastructure costs. Since its launch three years ago, this policy has:

  • Facilitated the creation of over 180 new residential lots across three subdivisions.
  • Triggered a pipeline of over 1,000 additional lots in future developments.
  • Enabled small and medium-scale developers to enter the market, increasing competition and affordability.
  • Stimulated new external interest in Temora Shire with over 80% of new lots being sold to non-locals.

Vacant Houses Project (RDRP Funded)
Through the Regional Drought Resilience Plan (RDRP) program, the Council is also tackling underutilised housing stock. The Vacant Houses Project is:

  • Identifying unoccupied homes that could be returned to the rental market.
  • Assisting property owners in overcoming barriers to leasing.
  • Working with local real estate agents to promote vacant properties, helping increase rental availability.

Apollo Place Affordable Seniors Housing Project
The council recognised the need for affordable housing for seniors and took direct action by:

  • Purchasing vacant land from the Department of Housing.
  • Partnering with Dr Parry Memorial Homes, a local community housing provider, to develop a plan for 38 affordable one- and two-bedroom units.
  • Securing development consent, with the project now awaiting funding under the Housing Support Program to enable essential infrastructure services.

Bundawarrah Estate Master Plan Project
Looking ahead, the Council is planning for long-term housing expansion through the Bundawarrah Estate Master Plan Project, supported by Housing Support Program funding. This project aims to:

  • Unlock future land supply by exploring subdivision potential in an existing large-lot residential estate.
  • Support a future rezoning proposal to R1 Residential, reducing minimum lot sizes.
  • Potentially generate 200 additional residential lots, ensuring a steady supply of housing for Temora’s growing population.

Through these four initiatives, Temora Shire Council is actively shaping the region’s housing future, ensuring a balanced and sustainable approach to growth while supporting affordability, rental availability and diverse housing options.

What’s the biggest challenge in your region and how do you propose to overcome it?

One of the biggest challenges in our region is addressing the shortage of medical practitioners and increasing access to healthcare services. Like many rural communities, Temora faces difficulties in attracting and retaining healthcare professionals due to factors such as professional isolation, limited career progression and a lack of support services for practitioners and their families.

To overcome this, the Temora Medical Precinct Study is aligning its initiatives with the NSW Government’s $95 million redevelopment of Temora Hospital. This major investment presents an opportunity to expand the council’s existing comprehensive medical precinct, integrating general practice, allied health, and specialist services to compliment those offered at the hospital. By ensuring seamless coordination between primary, specialist and emergency care, the precinct will provide a modern, collaborative healthcare environment that enhances both patient outcomes and professional satisfaction for medical staff.

The Council has a proven track record in innovative medical workforce attraction strategies. In partnership with the Temora Medical Complex, we previously launched the Great Quack Quest campaign to attract a new GP to the region. Building on this success, we also offer incentive programs such as subsidised housing for medical professionals. Additionally, we are partnering with universities and rural health organisations to establish regional placement programs, ensuring that medical students and trainees gain rural healthcare experience, increasing the likelihood of long-term retention.

By leveraging the hospital redevelopment, creating a well-supported medical hub, and applying proven recruitment strategies, the Temora Medical Precinct Study aims to address the healthcare workforce shortage and improve long-term medical service delivery for our community.

Within the next 12 months, what does success for your organisation look like?

Delivering a Community-Driven Strategic Plan
Over the next 12 months, success for Temora Shire Council will be defined by the finalisation and implementation of our new Community Strategic Plan (CSP) - a roadmap that reflects the aspirations and priorities of our community.

The Council took an innovative approach to developing this plan by engaging Perth-based consultancy, Catalyse, whose methodology aligns with our values of community participation and trusted partnerships. The process began with a comprehensive community engagement survey, attracting over 700 respondents and generating 28,000 words of community insights. These responses informed a draft CSP, which was then refined through further consultation and prioritisation with the community.

The plan arrives at a critical time when Temora must balance the needs of a growing population with increasingly limited resources. Its successful implementation will guide decision-making, ensuring that infrastructure, services and economic development strategies remain aligned with community expectations.

In the coming year, our focus will be on turning strategic priorities into tangible actions, reinforcing Temora’s commitment to transparent governance, innovation and long-term sustainability.

If you had to describe to someone what it’s like working with the RAI, what would you say?

Our Partnership with RAI: A Valued Collaboration
Temora Shire Council has been a proud member of the Regional Activators Alliance (RAA) since its inception, recognising the vital role the RAI plays in advocating for the future of regional communities like ours.  

We actively engage with the full spectrum of membership benefits- attending conferences and seminars, contributing case studies for relocation initiatives, responding to requests for information and collaborating on media opportunities. This ongoing participation has strengthened our connection with the RAI, making the relationship more tangible and valuable.  

The RAA’s priorities closely align with the challenges we face, from housing availability to workforce attraction and economic diversification. Knowing that RAI is not only amplifying our concerns but also advocating on our behalf at a national level provides confidence that our regional issues are being heard. More importantly, we take great pride in knowing that our contributions help shape the conversations and policies that impact regional Australia.  

This partnership has delivered real value, ensuring that Temora Shire’s voice is part of a broader movement working towards stronger, more resilient regional communities.

Location, location, location: Albury’s advantage when it comes to circularity

The city of Albury, on the New South Wales – Victoria border is a regional hub for waste management.  With a landfill facility which accepts more than 200,000 tonnes of waste from 13 councils in the Riverina-Murray region, this council is striving to be at the forefront of the circular economy and has initiatives in place to divert plastics, cardboard, steel, lights and bicycles from waste. 

Tackling the transition to net zero in the food manufacturing industry

Understanding the sustainability challenges and opportunities for small to medium food manufacturing businesses in regional locations across Australia close to farm suppliers is important for the future growth of Australian manufacturing, and the achievement of net zero.

Quilpie Shire leads by example when tackling housing challenges

Quilpie Shire Council made international headlines in 2021 when it launched a scheme offering $12,500 grants for people to buy and build new residential dwellings across its townships. The grant was on the condition that buyers build a house on the land and move into the property for at least six months.