The Evocities project – a major campaign encouraging Sydney residents to live, work and invest in regional cities – has hailed the NSW Government’s introduction of legislation to amend the Regional Relocation Grant program and introduce a new incentive to Sydneysiders to make the change.
Under proposed changes to the Regional Relocation Grant, Sydney residents who relocate from Sydney to regional NSW and purchase a home will receive a $7,000 grant if they owned a home or have two consecutive years rental history in Sydney. Previously, the grant was only payable after selling a Sydney home and buying another in regional NSW.
The government has also introduced a new Skilled Regional Relocation Incentive of $10,000 for employees that fill skilled jobs in regional locations for a minimum period of two years.
The Skilled Regional Relocation Incentive will be awarded to eligible applicants in two equal instalments, the first triggered three months after commencement of employment in the regional area, and the second one year after the first instalment.
Evocities spokesperson, James Treloar, welcomed the expanded grant and new incentive as a shot in the arm to the already successful regional resident attraction campaign.
“These incentives will make a significant difference to the cost of relocating to an Evocity, particularly young professionals, recent graduates and young families.
“We see these grants as the potential last piece of the puzzle for the many Sydneysiders who are considering a move. The new Skilled Regional Relocation Incentive will also hopefully be a key driver in changing perceptions that quality jobs don’t exist in our cities, where excellent career opportunities abound in a variety of industries.
“Evocities is extremely pleased that the NSW Government is continuing to pursue population growth outside Sydney and we look forward to supporting this with our initiatives to promote regional cities as great places to live, work and invest.”
Evocities launched in September 2010 with the message that a move to an Evocity is a change where a quality life awaits and a wide range of opportunities exist for personal and professional growth. The seven Evocities are Albury, Armidale, Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga.
Since the launch, nearly 1,300 households have relocated to one of the seven cities. Research has found that just by relocating, a household moving to a regional city can help to directly boost the economy of their new city by an annual average of almost $95,000.
A new relocated household also helps to lift median incomes, encourage business growth, increase tourism, grow participation rates in local community groups, as well as increasing flow-on spending across the economy in their new city.
