Regional towns will welcome nurses as part of the State Government’s ‘Welcome Experience’. Photo: NSW Health.
Bega and Goulburn residents will roll out the welcome mat to teachers, healthcare professionals and police, providing them with the support to integrate into the community.
Key workers are being encouraged to put down their roots in regional areas and the NSW Government is investing $30 million to help attract, prepare and retain them.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the ‘Welcome Experience’ would be piloted in eight locations including Goulburn, Griffith, Corowa and Bega next year with the goal of rolling it out across more locations in 2024.
He said the new program would “ensure key workers who provide so much support to our communities are given the best possible support to relocate and feel welcome”.
“The bush is renowned for its hospitality but moving to a new town can be daunting, especially with a family,” Mr Toole said.
“There is nothing more valuable than local knowledge, especially when you are moving somewhere new.
“This service acts a bit like a concierge – people are matched with locals giving them the opportunity to ask questions about healthcare and childcare services and even which area of town might best suit their family.”
Minister for Regional Health and Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the service would introduce key workers to a friendly face before they made the move to regional NSW.
“From the moment our key workers make the decision to move to the bush, they will be partnered with locals who will make the transition so much easier,” Ms Taylor said.
“From being on hand to assist in navigating their new community to helping create social connections or even accessing vital services such as childcare, healthcare or helping their partners find a job, this service will make a huge difference.
“This is about ensuring our communities have access to quality services that are staffed with key workers, who feel welcomed in the areas they live and work in.”
The NSW Government will work closely with councils, community organisations and other local service providers to ensure the service is personalised to each area.
Mr Toole said investment in housing, growing and upskilling the health workforce, ensuring access to quality learning at every stage of life and improving transport and digital connectivity would also be part of the NSW Government’s new vision for the regions.
‘Our Vision for Regional Communities’ is a three-year plan to ensure regional NSW remains the best place to live, work, play and raise a family.
“This is a vision for the regional NSW we are building with our local communities, backed by real actions we know will make a real difference to people’s everyday lives,” Mr Toole said.
“This vision shows how we’ll build on that foundation and ensure regional communities have access to the education and health services they deserve and attract the workforce we need to deliver those services.”
As well as the new Welcome Experience, the vision includes a $5 million investment in scholarships to upskill existing health workers and attract new staff to regional communities, a $174 million investment in new housing for teachers, police and health workers over the next four years and a new $250 travel card for regional apprentices and university students.
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