Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Expanded program to help essential workers move to Northern Rivers

Essential workers will be offered more support to move and settle into the Northern Rivers as part of the NSW Government initiative, The Welcome Experience, which is being extended into the region to help local organisations to attract workers.

Originally piloted during 2023 in Broken Hill, Muswellbrook, Bega, Walgett, Coffs Harbour, Corowa, Griffith and Goulburn, The Welcome Experience now operates in 55 Local Government Areas.

It will now provide workforce support to the additional town locations of Tweed, Lismore, Ballina, Byron and Richmond Valley thanks to a successful tender application from new host agency, Regional Development Australia (RDA) Northern Rivers.

As part of The Welcome Experience, host agencies help essential workers make the regions their home, forge social connections, access childcare and schooling options, join sporting clubs and even assist with finding job opportunities for partners, said Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty.

“Our Government is focusing on ensuring regional NSW receives the services it needs and attracting essential workers is critical to making that happen,” said Minister Moriarty.

“If people get to hear first-hand info about schools or childcare, and that there is a good bunch of people in the local netball team, plus insights on cafes and places to fish, you are making them feel welcome.

“Recognising the area’s needs, the Government is pleased the procurement process has been completed to engage RDA Northern Rivers to set up services in five towns that will boost the attraction of essential workers.

“The Welcome Experience has a strong track record of warmly welcoming workers to regional NSW and encouraging them to build lasting connections in their new communities, and I look forward to seeing RDA continue this valuable work in the Northern Rivers region.”

Launched in June last year, The Welcome Experience has helped 665 essential workers and their families to move to regional NSW, including 346 health workers, 110 educators and 42 police staff. 

Host Agencies in new delivery locations such as Dubbo, Port Macquarie, Kiama and Inverell are now onboarding Local Connectors.

“The Welcome Experience will support new essential workers through every step of the relocation process, from when they first consider the move, to when they decide to make their home in the Northern Rivers and build connections in the community,” said RDA Northern Rivers Director of Regional Development, Anthony Schreenan.

“We are so happy to be able to benefit from The Welcome Experience, the pilot showed that the key to retaining workers is welcoming them into the community, and that’s more than finding a house to live in and school for the kids.

“It’s becoming part of the local sports club, getting to know fellow parents, connecting with the people at your local and building networks of friendship.

“Our Local Connector will provide a concierge service, connecting with essential workers who are considering relocating to our region and providing information about the region, finding a place to live, access to schools and amenities, and services available,” he said.

NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery and State Member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin congratulated Regional Development Australia (RDA) Northern Rivers on successfully tendering as a host agency.

“We need to attract and retain more essential workers as our population grows, and providing workforce support with relocations and settling into a new community for workers and their families is a no-brainer,” said Ms Saffin.

“Some councils provide new residents with a welcome pack to help them navigate their new surroundings, and this Minns Labor Government initiative is that concept writ large, offering a wraparound set of services specific to our region.

“The Welcome Experience’s pilot sites have been successful in helping hundreds of health workers, educators and police move to the regions, and I look forward to more success in Lismore, Tweed, Byron, Ballina and Richmond Valley.”

Locations delivering The Welcome Experience:

RegionLocation Government AreasSuccessful Host Agency
Northern NSWGlen Innes Severn and InverellAttract Connect Stay Glenn Innes
North Coast & RiversTweed, Lismore, Ballina, Byron and Richmond ValleyRDA Northern Rivers
Mid North CoastKempsey, Nambucca and Port Macquarie HastingsRDA Mid North Coast
Mid North CoastCoffs Harbour and BellingenBoambee East Community Centre
HunterMuswellbrook, Singleton and Upper HunterMuswellbrook Shire Council
New EnglandArmidale, Tamworth and UrallaRDA Northern Inland
Moree PlainsMoree PlainsMoree Plains Shire Council
Orana regionBourke, Dubbo (incl Wellington) and WalgettRDA Orana
Central WestBathurst, Cowra, Lachlan, Lithgow, Oberon, Orange, Parkes and WeddinSkillset
Western NSWBalranald, Broken Hill, Central Darling,Regional Solutions Community Development
Far West NSWUnincorporated Far West and WentworthRegional Solutions Community Development
MurrayAlbury, Federation and Greater HumeRDA Murray
Eastern RiverinaTemora, Tumut, Wagga WaggaRDA Riverina
Western RiverinaGriffith, Leeton,RDA Riverina
Southern NSWGoulburn Mulwaree, Hilltops, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Snowy-Monaro, Upper Lachlan, Wingecarribee and Yass ValleyRDA Southern NSW
Bega ValleyBega ValleyBega Chamber of Commerce
IllawarraKiama, Shellharbour and ShoalhavenMulticultural Communities Council of Illawarra 
South CoastEurobodallaBega Chamber of Commerce 

Find out more about The Welcome Experience.

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