Outdoor Industry Connect & Share Forums

Outdoors NSW & ACT

A weekly opportunity to connect on important topics and content specific to the Outdoor Industry in Australia

  1. How A National Walking Challenge Funds Nature Protection

    MAR 27

    How A National Walking Challenge Funds Nature Protection

    Send us Fan Mail A national walking challenge sounds simple until you hear what it can unlock for nature. We’re joined live by Denise Zlotowski from the Australian Conservation Foundation to share the thinking behind Australia’s Biggest Bushwalk, the results so far, and the plan to take it truly nationwide. If you’ve ever wanted an easy way to turn your regular bushwalks into something bigger, this conversation lays out the practical steps, the fundraising support, and the real-world conservation work those dollars back.  We talk through what makes ACF distinct as Australia’s national environment organisation, and why it treats climate and nature as one connected fight. Denise explains how funds raised support protection for threatened animals and habitats, efforts to stop deforestation and expose environmental wrongdoing, and stronger climate and nature policy advocacy. We also dig into what participants get along the way: a simple signup process for individuals or teams, an online platform packed with posters and social tiles, community momentum through a fundraiser network, and partner support including Paddy Pallin plus a Vamos e-bike prize valued at $5,000.  Then we shift into a rapid roundup for the outdoor industry in NSW and the ACT: skills and inclusion updates from the Skills IQ forum, what’s behind low training completions, a clear reminder on Australian privacy law thresholds via the OAIC, and practical member resources like the outdoor industry employment guide. We also flag time-sensitive opportunities across sun safety promotions, trainee subsidies, tour guiding reviews, industry awards, masterclasses, and education events. Finally, we address the pressure of fuel shortages and why sharing on-the-ground impacts helps ensure the outdoor sector is not left out of policy decisions.  Subscribe for weekly outdoor industry updates, share this with someone planning their next walk, and leave a review to help more guides, educators, and operators find the conversation. What would your May walking goal be? Support the show To stay connected to Outdoors NSW & ACT, Subscribe to our podcasts, or our YouTube Channel Our members get access to a whole range of additional information and support - you can join here and start receiving the benefits today.

    34 min
  2. Permits Paperwork And A Surprisingly Big Duke Of Ed Footprint

    MAR 20

    Permits Paperwork And A Surprisingly Big Duke Of Ed Footprint

    Send us Fan Mail Camp participation is slipping, permit processes can feel harder than they need to, and schools are asking for more outdoor experiences with fewer resources. So we pulled the practical threads together in one live Connect and Share Forum for the NSW and ACT outdoor industry, focused on what you can use right now to run better programs and grow demand. We unpack fresh insights from the Australian Camps Association census, including what occupancy looks like nationwide, how dominant the school segment remains, and why shorter stays are changing the way camps plan programs. We also share the release of a new outdoor industry employment guidance resource for members, built to support both employers and employees with clearer expectations around working conditions, pay conversations, and career pathways across employees, contractors, volunteers, and trainees. If you’re managing staffing, training, or retention, this part is built for you. Then we shift to access on public land, with Parks ACT walking through a new webpage that consolidates how commercial operators and organized groups can apply for permits across ACT parks and conservation areas. You’ll hear what the permit is really for, how processing works, what fees are waived for non-commercial groups, and when a multi activity permit can save time and admin. We close with a data rich update from the Office of Sport on the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in NSW, including participation trends, completion challenges, bronze changes that improve accessibility, and a clear signal from leaders that adventurous journeys are where support is most needed. If you work in outdoor education, camps, guiding, adventure tourism, or youth development, subscribe, share this with a colleague, and leave a review so more operators and schools can find it. Support the show To stay connected to Outdoors NSW & ACT, Subscribe to our podcasts, or our YouTube Channel Our members get access to a whole range of additional information and support - you can join here and start receiving the benefits today.

    55 min
  3. A New Request For Proposal Could Change How Outdoor Programs Book Government Sites

    MAR 13

    A New Request For Proposal Could Change How Outdoor Programs Book Government Sites

    Send a text A government facility can be booked like any other venue, or it can become the backbone of a whole new program model. That’s the tension we explore here, starting with rapid-fire sector updates and landing on a timely opportunity from the NSW Office of Sport: a formal request for proposal to use facilities across its sport and recreation centres for seven days or more. We walk through what’s happening across the outdoor industry in NSW and the ACT, including big visibility moments in adventure tourism, what those wins mean for operators, and a practical safety reminder with a Petzl product recall that’s worth checking against your kit and inventory. We also flag the AAAS review survey and why your input matters before changes harden into process, plus the occupational shortage survey that helps government understand the roles we simply cannot fill and the training subsidies our sector fights to keep. Then Lachlan Clark, Director Centre South and West at the NSW Office of Sport, lays out the facility use RFP in plain language: which centres have the most availability, what kinds of proposals are welcome (from self-directed hire to supported program delivery with accommodation and meals), where to find the tender documents on Buy NSW, and the non-negotiable closing date. We also dig into the “why” behind it: better asset utilization in service of getting more people active through sport and recreation. If you run camps, outdoor education, training, guiding, or community programs, this one is packed with concrete links and decision points. Subscribe for more industry updates, share this with someone who books venues, and leave a review with the program idea you’d pitch if you had a week of guaranteed access. Support the show To stay connected to Outdoors NSW & ACT, Subscribe to our podcasts, or our YouTube Channel Our members get access to a whole range of additional information and support - you can join here and start receiving the benefits today.

    23 min
  4. How A New Park Could Protect Koalas And Grow Regional Adventure Tourism

    MAR 6

    How A New Park Could Protect Koalas And Grow Regional Adventure Tourism

    Send us Fan Mail A surge of industry updates sets the stage for a rare, behind-the-scenes look at a park network that could reshape the North Coast. We start with actionable items—Petzl safety alerts for harness D-rings and ice tools, EOIs for Jindabyne’s adventure project and NSW Sport and Rec centers, and the AAAS survey that may redefine knowledge, skills, and dependency across adventurous activities. With guides listed in shortage and subsidies live, we underline the workforce reality and the training routes that can help teams keep pace. Then Glenn from NSW National Parks walks us through the proposed Great Koala National Park with clarity and candor. Think big, connected country from Grafton to Kempsey and inland—179,000 hectares proposed for reservation alongside existing parks—mapped with drone thermal surveys estimating around 12,000 koalas and 36,000 greater gliders. Boundaries exclude plantations to protect timber supply, and legislation is slated for later this year. Crucially, this isn’t one mega-park but a network under different reserve categories: national parks for flexible conservation and recreation, nature reserves for highest-value habitats, and potential regional parks near population centers where high-intensity activities need a proper fit. Access is the crux. Glenn details how the team is planning early for fire, roads, bridges, staffing, and visitor flow while keeping community trust front and center. Nearly 4,000 survey responses and regular meetings with riders, drivers, and clubs show a path forward: better signage and reasons behind closures, zoned experiences to reduce conflict, and new opportunities where biodiversity values and visitation can align. From future campgrounds and stronger mountain bike hubs to education and volunteer tourism, the vision ties conservation outcomes to a healthier visitor economy—especially when First Nations partnerships lead cultural experiences and local benefit. We close with tangible examples already moving: the Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk with cabins, platforms, and a modern visitor center, plus a rewilding site at Numbar Nature Reserve that opens the door to conservation learning. If you care about koalas, access, and the next decade of outdoor experiences, this conversation offers a grounded roadmap and a genuine invitation to help build what comes next. Subscribe, share with your team, and leave a review with the one question you want answered when the park plan advances. Support the show To stay connected to Outdoors NSW & ACT, Subscribe to our podcasts, or our YouTube Channel Our members get access to a whole range of additional information and support - you can join here and start receiving the benefits today.

    54 min
  5. Why Celebrating Best Practice Lifts The Whole Outdoor Industry

    FEB 27

    Why Celebrating Best Practice Lifts The Whole Outdoor Industry

    Send us Fan Mail Ready to turn recognition into real growth? We unveil the first NSW & ACT Outdoor Industry Awards and show how a thoughtful submission can double as a strategy sprint for your team. From categories spanning education, adventure tourism, therapy, play, events, and supporting services to clear criteria on delivery, sustainability, inclusion, development, and client engagement, we break down exactly what judges look for and how to prove your impact with data, testimonials, and measured outcomes. We also dig into Destination NSW insights from Dec 2024, on nature-based travel: spend was up even as nights softened, with the North Coast, South Coast, Sydney, Hunter, and Central Coast leading the way. Private stays and travel with friends or relatives dominate, and cycling was surging across sightseeing, road, and mountain biking. We translate the numbers into action: extend day trips into overnights with bundled itineraries, connect trail networks to local businesses, and design family-friendly experiences that compete with screens through short, social, and seamless formats. On the operational front, we flag a harness D-ring safety alert with replacement kits, outline the Jindabyne Mountain Bike and Adventure Park EOI, and highlight new access to NSW Government sport and recreation centres. Pair those opportunities with traineeship subsidies for outdoor adventure guides and targeted professional development across first aid, canyoning, canoeing, leadership, and facilitation. We round out with regional park updates, Women’s Week activities, and an open door to shape the AAAS review and workforce data that keep our sector on the priority list. Entries are open now, and members submit free. If you’ve never entered awards, this is the moment: state the claim, justify it with context, prove it with evidence, and use judge feedback as free consultancy to lift your delivery for the year ahead. Subscribe, share this with your team, and leave a review telling us which category you’ll enter and why it matters to your community. Support the show To stay connected to Outdoors NSW & ACT, Subscribe to our podcasts, or our YouTube Channel Our members get access to a whole range of additional information and support - you can join here and start receiving the benefits today.

    41 min
  6. Working With Children Check Review Explained

    FEB 20

    Working With Children Check Review Explained

    Send us Fan Mail Big policy shifts are heading for the outdoor industry, and we unpack them with clarity and care. We start with fast‑moving industry news—AAAS updates shaping good practice and insurance, National Parks timelines for closures and the new Mulumun track, a major tender for the Jindabyne Adventure Park, and key dates for awards, training, subsidies, and the occupational shortage survey—then turn to a focused briefing from the Office of the Children’s Guardian on the review of the Working With Children Check. We walk through how the WWCC actually works today and why it’s only one part of a broader Child Safe Standards framework born from the Royal Commission. From there, we dig into the proposals on the table: clarifying who needs a check, whether ride-share drivers for unaccompanied teens should be captured, how under‑18 exemptions might change for paid roles and placements, and if co‑workers of youth in general workplaces should be included. We also explore nuanced care settings—relative and kinship carers, continuing residence approvals for household members—and how to balance risk reduction with family stability. On operations, we hit the pain points leaders care about: renewal flexibility during disasters, whether mandatory training solves real problems, if people reapplying after a bar should work while assessed, and how to fix verification blind spots with labor‑hire hosts and self‑employed tutors. We consider stronger compliance powers and public warnings for repeat or serious breaches, plus smarter notification rules so status changes reach the right person fast. The Q&A surfaces frontline impacts, especially on youth pathways for instructors in a tight labor market, and the need for national harmonisation to stop border confusion. If you run outdoor programs, guide education, or manage volunteers, this is a plain‑English map of what could change, why it matters, and where your voice counts. Listen, share with your team, and add your perspective to the Have Your Say process so child safety and workforce sustainability move forward together. Enjoy the episode, then subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: which proposed change helps—or hurts—your operations most? Support the show To stay connected to Outdoors NSW & ACT, Subscribe to our podcasts, or our YouTube Channel Our members get access to a whole range of additional information and support - you can join here and start receiving the benefits today.

    51 min
  7. Inside The Adventure Activity Standards Review: Timelines, Changes, And What Providers Need Now

    FEB 16

    Inside The Adventure Activity Standards Review: Timelines, Changes, And What Providers Need Now

    Send us Fan Mail What does a modern outdoor standard look like when it has to serve schools, clubs, guides, and land managers under one roof? We open the hood on the Adventure Activity Standards and Good Practice Guides review, walking through the timeline, the expert advisory process, and the real-world changes being drafted right now. From redefining dependency and clarifying leadership competence to integrating ISO 4980 risk-benefit thinking, we map the choices that shape safer, more meaningful programs across bushwalking, paddling, camping, and beyond. You’ll hear how the core guide aims to cut ambiguity without killing judgment, why land managers reference AAAS in permits, and how environmental stewardship and group size decisions can protect places under pressure. We also surface the hard part: operational fairness. When some operators skip key controls, compliant providers lose bids and the sector’s risk rises. We talk candidly about permit alignment, practical compliance signals, and the role of incident learning in setting unshakeable norms. Engagement is our other frontier. Field leaders are time-poor and often in the bush overnight, so we trade tactics: tapping provider training days, short scenario-led surveys, evening forums, and lightweight feedback loops that capture nuance without paperwork drag. We touch on trail bike riding as a developing guidance space and the value of pilot testing with real organizations before public consultation. The throughline is simple: standards should be tools you reach for, not hurdles you dodge. If you care about clear safety frameworks, resilient outdoor businesses, and experiences that deliver real benefits, this conversation will give you a grounded roadmap and an open invitation to shape the drafts. Subscribe, share this with a colleague who leads in the field, and leave a review with the one change you think would make the biggest difference. Support the show To stay connected to Outdoors NSW & ACT, Subscribe to our podcasts, or our YouTube Channel Our members get access to a whole range of additional information and support - you can join here and start receiving the benefits today.

    37 min
  8. Season Kickoff: Industry Updates And Action

    FEB 6

    Season Kickoff: Industry Updates And Action

    Send us Fan Mail We kick off season four with concrete wins on e-bike hire, frank talk on safety and oversight risk, and a roadmap of reviews and consultations that will shape access, standards, and workforce. We also share new chances to lead locally through NPWS committees, PD pathways, and Women’s Week programs. • Upcoming forums on AAAS review, WWCC review, and Great Koala National Park • E-bike hire exemption outcome and compliance for new fleet additions • Federal engagement on outdoor education and preventative health • Tourism competitiveness gaps in sustainability, infrastructure, and value • Butarooroo draft plan concerns and how to submit • AAAS as de facto practice baseline and WorkSafe reference • WWCC review consultation dates and how to attend • NPWS Regional Advisory Committees application details • Gardens of Stone bush camping proposal feedback • Women’s Week bushwalking activation and club involvement • Workforce shortage survey to inform occupation lists • PD calendar, awards, masterclass, and mini-conference • Community themes: growth, collaboration, safety, succession ACTIONS FOR INDUSTRY TO CONSIDER: Please submit feedback on Budderoo National Park Plan of Management by Monday 5 pm; register for the WWCC consultations via the Office of the Children’s Guardian; apply for NPWS Regional Advisory Committees by 25 February; complete the workforce shortage survey by 18 March. Host: Lori Modde, CEO Outdoors NSW & ACT Support the show To stay connected to Outdoors NSW & ACT, Subscribe to our podcasts, or our YouTube Channel Our members get access to a whole range of additional information and support - you can join here and start receiving the benefits today.

    42 min
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A weekly opportunity to connect on important topics and content specific to the Outdoor Industry in Australia

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