New or growing businesses are being offered special grants to move skilled workers from metropolitan areas to regional NSW, under a new scheme announced by the New South Wales government.
Relocation grants of up to $10,000 per worker, direct access to an investment concierge for expert support and interest-free loans are on offer under the .
While regional Australia and cities, except Sydney and Melbourne, need more people, Sydney's burgeoning population has been blamed for congestion, high housing prices and infrastructure issues.
Members of the Indian community at the annual Sikh Games in Griffith Source: SBS
Australian Bureau of Statistics show Sydney’s population grew by 101,600 people taking it to 5.1 million in June 2017.
That figure included 84,684 from net overseas migration, 34,994 from natural increase — births minus deaths — and a loss of 18,120 to net internal migration.
Department of Home Affairs recent figures show 87 per cent of the 111,000 skilled migrants who arrived in 2017-18, had settled in Sydney or Melbourne.
NSW opposition leader says Sydney could become full of high rise towers if immigration isn't capped. (AAP) Source: AAP
As the federal government discusses new ways to settle new migrants in regional areas of Australia to ease congestion in Sydney and Melbourne, the NSW government on Monday announced new incentives to encourage people and businesses to relocate to the bush.
Under the new scheme, the NSW Government is offering a range of incentives – from direct access to an investment concierge for expert and tailored support, grants and interest-free loans, to relocation assistance for skilled workers.
“The Investment Concierge Service provides end-to-end support for businesses wishing to set up or expand their operations in regional NSW,” the announcement reads.
“The service acts as the interface across NSW Government agencies to provide tailored advice to businesses about opportunities, sites and relevant government assistance available.
“Eligible businesses can apply for grants and interest-free loans to help them establish themselves in regional NSW and create new jobs.”
Panoramic view from Cowra Mountain at the Cowra Japanese Garden. The view takes in the gardens and the plains of the Cowra Shire across to the nearby mountains. Source: Wikipedia
The government is also offering relocation grants of up to $10,000 per worker to help attract skilled employees to regional NSW businesses operating in eligible industries.
“Grants are available for businesses relocating to regional NSW and businesses already operating and expanding within regional NSW, to assist with the costs of relocating skilled workers in an occupation on the from metropolitan areas to regional NSW,” it says.
