Grampians Regional Tourism Board has once again joined forces with Ararat Rural City, Horsham Rural City, Northern Grampians Shire and Southern Grampians Shire councils to attract Australians to the region and encourage them to embrace the Grampian’s abundance of job and lifestyle opportunities. The Live the Grampians Way initiative will build upon to the success of the campaign that ran in 2021.
Live the Grampians Way is a coordinated approach between state and local government and local industries to take advantage of the likeability and liveability of the region. The campaign aims to expand the workforce and investment in the local community. The 2022 campaign is targeting residents in Melbourne and Adelaide as well as other major population centres across Victoria and aims to address the critical workforce shortages across the Grampians region.
The 2022 program aims to further build on the success of the earlier campaign through continuing to identify key markets in need. It is hoped further partnerships with industry, employers, real estate agents and property developers will ensure the Live the Grampians way becomes a self-sustaining business model. The 2022 campaign will continue to encourage sign up through the website but will facilitate better connections between new residents and local government stakeholders through a concierge style service. Additionally, a greater emphasis will be placed on assimilation and welcome strategies from councils and community networks.
Over 55,000 people from outside the region visited the Grampians Life website between January and December 2021. 5700 of these clicked through to view job vacancies based in the Grampians. 1222 people registered on the platform indicating an interest in relocating to the region. The new version of the platform sees a dedicated resource join the team to match interested candidates to jobs and ensure the loop is closed.
Jenny Gumela, relocated to the region after Melbourne’s first lockdown. Jenny said: “The move was a no brainer for us, we were disillusioned with life in Melbourne, the daily grind and not spending any time together as a family. We decided to pack up and move after being finding an accommodation management couples role. Our quality of life is great, my husband likes to go fishing before work and we hike in the National Park. Our commute is non-existent as we live and work on the property, we really are living the dream. We would recommend to anyone who is thinking of making the move”.
Australians looking to make the move can register their interest and search for property and jobs via grampianslife.com.au and its Shift Regional platform. With around 12,000 jobs expected to become available in the next three years there is no better time to make the move.
Marc Sleeman, CEO of Grampians Tourism said: ‘The Grampians region has been experiencing record visitation numbers year on year. With figures predicted to continue this trajectory we face a major labour shortage across the region. As a result of the above and impacts of COVID 19, the Grampians region job market is experiencing a labour shortage and is well positioned to welcome Australians who are seeking new career paths. On average, we have over 500 open roles at any time with the most difficult jobs to fill being in the healthcare, trade professionals, tourism and hospitality roles. It is great to have our local government regions come together to address the critical workforce shortage across the region.’’
The population in the region has grown by only 1.56% in the 10 years from 2006 to 2016 (ABS Census Data). By comparison, the population in Victoria has grown by 20.16% in the same decade. This lack of population growth equates to a loss of approx. $828m of gross regional product per annum for the region. (Calculation: REMPLAN Per capita gross state product of $68,681 x 12,062 – number of people ‘missing’ from above 5 LGAs for equiv. population growth of 20.16%).
Without this continued population decline, the Grampians region will face significant economic and social challenges in the years to come. This is and will continue to be felt most in smaller, rural townships with the closure of local schools, government service offices and small local businesses that service these communities.
A recent survey by Regional Development Victoria (RDV) found that of those who had recently relocated to the region many identified a lifestyle change was the main reason followed closely by affordable housing in the area with an average house price of $360,000 in the region.
Located approximately 300km from the Victorian capital, the Grampians region offers a reset with a simplified, outdoor-focussed lifestyle. Boasting affordable housing, spacious living, family-friendly communities, career opportunities, and a slower pace of life, the Grampians region is an idyllic location to put down roots.
With many new opportunities for Australians, both young and old, the Grampians region offers something for everyone. For those ready to Live The Grampians Way in their next chapter, more information is available via grampianslife.com.au.
.jpg){kind=tracking}