Opportunities with greater population

Our cities are overflowing and congested, yet out here in the ‘Big Sky Country’ of Moree Plains Shire, there is abundant space, quality infrastructure, a calm and enjoyable commute, a brilliant quality of life, low housing prices and only a 1.5-hour flight connection to Sydney. With Moree being home to the transformational Intermodal Site for the Inland Rail, our community will be the next freight and logistics hub for the North West , providing large scale import and export opportunities to the region, linking the Moree economy directly to ’s major centres.

Moree Plains Shire already attracts many young professionals and families seeking an alternative lifestyle to that in urban regions, however this is restricted by the shortage of skilled services and limitations of the high dependence on the agriculture industry. A stronger base of professional and trade services would considerably strengthen the town, and would assist in the retention and development of key services such as health and education as well as supporting the wider town economy.

Moree Plains Shire has the capacity to welcome additional residents and greatly encourages regional migration to the community. Given the population decline in the last 20 years, our schools, roads and infrastructure were all established to sustain higher numbers, and Moree Plains Shire Council is committed to maintaining these great assets:

 Water Supply – Moree has abundant and high quality potable water to easily serve an expanded population. This is being further enhanced and improved with projects being commissioned for new bore fields and mains to support industry growth.

 Sewer Services – The Moree treatment works is capable of servicing an increased population.

 Health Services – Council is working with State Government to continually improve health services. We have access to quality infrastructure but a population increase through migration will help sustain larger numbers of doctors, nurses and health professionals as well as specialist services. The NSW State Government has recently committed to an upgrade of the Moree Base Hospital with $80 million. Critical to the upgrade of this health infrastructure will be a significant increase in the number of medical personnel including doctors, specialists and allied health professionals.

 Education Services – Moree provides early childhood, primary, secondary and vocational education opportunities. Council and the community work closely with State Government to continually improve these opportunities. Moree also has access to tertiary facilities through the Country University Centre North West and TAFE, as well as partnerships with the University of New England, Charles Sturt University and University of South East . Moree has a chronic shortage of staff in the child care and education sectors. There is significant opportunity for qualified education and child care professionals to seek long-term and stable employment in the town.

 Transport Services – Moree boasts twice daily return flights to Sydney via Qantaslink. Daily train services also link Moree to Sydney. This ensures that there is access to the higher order centre of Sydney on a same-day basis.

 Transport Logistics – Moree will be home to the Intermodal Hub as part of the Inalnd Rail, providing a direct import and export link for the North West. o Moree also has national transport links via Rail and the Newell, Gwydir and Carnarvon Highways. o The provides a Brisbane/Melbourne arterial line.

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An injection of new people, skills, jobs and the investment they bring into the Moree Plains would have a significant multiplier effect across the economy and community, attracting new businesses and jobs to the town, and thereby improving outcomes for our community and indigenous Gamilaroi/Gomeroi people.

Social factors are key to migration success

Moree Plains Shire welcomes regional migration, particularly migration of trained, job-ready migrants with the motivation to work and contribute to the community. In Moree Plains, many businesses currently secure skilled labour through the skilled migration visa program, predominately to fill job shortages in the agricultural sector. The opportunities an injection of a skilled workforce (such as health workers, engineers, information services, tradespeople or educators) can bring to the Shire would help boost our local economy and help keep the community vibrant and viable.

However, regional migration programs must consider the pre-existing social factors of a regional town to ensure the regional resettlement program will be successful. Such considerations include:

 Support base – Strong support services, such as psychological, social and language services, reflective of the level or support required migrants are essential. Humanitarian migrants and those who have recently arrived to Australia have higher support needs compared to other migrants who have actively chosen to move or those who have already been living in Australia for a few years.

 Welcoming community – A community that is resilient to change, with robust community volunteer base to support migrants in their transition is vital.

 Culture - Sufficient numbers of people from the same culture migrating to the town will help ensure people are not culturally stranded.

 Previous way of living – Migrants from regional areas are more likely to be compatible with moving to another regional area than those from large city environments. It is critical to consider people’s past in any relocation strategy.

 Job availability – Targeting migrants with specific skill sets to fill gaps in the labour market of that regional centre will provide both work opportunities for migrants as well as contribute to the local economy. For centres with skills shortages, it is essential specific job-needs training is readily available to migrants.

The long term value of skilled migration to regional communities is strongly championed by local businesses and organisations in North West New South Wales. For example, Regional Development Australia Northern Inland has initiated a skilled migration program with the Australian Government, partnering with local businesses to identify skills needs and help fill shortages with migrants. Such programs like these that are created by locals and managed by locals are a key factor of success - locals understand the community’s needs and know how regional migration would work within their community.

Moree Shire Plains Council is committed to continue to work with government bodies and private organisations to attract skilled migrants to our region, particularly with the expected increase in industry and employment from the inland rail, whilst ensuring appropriate support services and training are available.

Page 5 of 6 Moree Shire Plains Council thanks you for the opportunity to comment on opportunities for regional migration in Australia. If you have any questions or require further information or clarification, please contact myself via email or phone, as indicated above.

Yours Sincerely,

Angus Witherby DIRECTOR PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

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