The NSW Government is today launching the Make the Move Campaign, spotlighting the stories of nurses, police, teachers, firefighters and midwives who have made the move from metropolitan NSW to regional NSW.
This is one element of the NSW Government’s commitment to boost the number of essential workers in regional NSW.
The campaign targets those living in Sydney. First responders, healthcare workers and educators featured in this series will share how moving to regional NSW has provided lifestyle benefits and fresh opportunities to pursue new interests and hobbies outside of work.
The Make the Move campaign captures the everyday experiences and benefits that regional living can provide, such as swapping long city commutes for more time walking the dog, taking a dip before dinner, or coaching a junior sporting team. Over the next few months these stories will be shared on radio, print, digital and social media channels and bus shelters.
The campaign hopes to encourage essential workers currently living in Sydney to consider a move to regional NSW to help boost the local workforce to ensure communities have the best services and care possible.
The campaign will also target audiences in Adelaide to encourage South Australian essential workers to consider moving to nearby regional NSW communities, such as Broken Hill.
Part of the Essential Worker Attraction Program, the Make the Move campaign is among a suite of NSW Government initiatives aimed at encouraging essential workers to move to the regions, such as The Welcome Experience, which provides essential workers and their families with practical and tailored support to help them relocate and connect with their new communities.
This comes off the back of the NSW Government announcement this week that rural health worker recruitment and retentions have surged by a fifth in just the last 6 months, after the NSW Government doubled the support available under the Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme from $10,000 to $20,000.
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NSW Premier Chris Minns said:
“The NSW Government is serious about ensuring the people of regional NSW have access to quality critical services. A robust regional workforce is a vital part of that.
“Regional NSW has so much to offer, and this campaign aims to show essential workers the opportunities and benefits that become available when they make the switch from the city.
“Moving to a new place can be daunting, but this campaign is part of a broader program that is helping essential workers relocate to the regions with practical support to help them settle into their new communities.”
Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:
“Regional NSW residents are already aware of the great lifestyle benefits of living in the regions, and the Make the Move campaign is all about spreading the word to our peers in metro areas.
“This campaign shows that there is much more to living in regional NSW than fresh air, easy commutes and wide-open spaces. There are great cafes and restaurants to explore, art and cultural events to enjoy and sporting clubs ready to roll out the welcome mat.
“Make the Move shares the experiences of those who have already taken the leap and found the change has given them more time to do the things they are passionate about, as well as the opportunity to have a big backyard and raise a family within a close-knit community.
“With more than a third of the state’s population living in regional NSW, boosting the workforce to ensure regional communities have better access to quality services is really important.
“Part of our Essential Worker Attraction Program, the Make the Move campaign makes a compelling case for living and working in the regions while promoting regional NSW as a great place to escape the rat race, get ahead and be part of a supportive community.”
Firefighter and casual special needs teacher living in Goulburn Mr Jason McPherson said:
“We love calling Goulburn home. My wife and I made the decision to return after 4 years in Sydney as we really value the affordable lifestyle, as well as the space and strong sense of community that a country upbringing could offer our kids.
“We escaped the skyrocketing city house prices to buy our own home as well as some land, we enjoy easier commutes, and thanks to the quieter lifestyle of regional living we have more time to spend together as a family to focus on the important things in life.
“Our kids are involved in various sporting clubs, they learn guitar at the local conservatorium and we know there are so many great options out there to help them stay active and pursue their passions, whether it be through sport, the vibrant creative arts scene, or signing up to the local theatre group.
“As a busy family of 6, we love the quality of life that regional NSW has to offer and we’d recommend it to anyone seeking a refreshing tree change.”
