July 21, 2016
Immigration could be the solution to the decline of many rural towns, according to a report released by the Regional Australia Institute (RAI).
The RAI is a not-for-profit “think tank” which gathers and analyses information about regional Australia.
The “Missing Migrants” report describes international migrants as an “untapped opportunity” for regional areas to fight declining populations and economic adversity, but fears the popularity of One Nation could derail this advantage.
The report found that regional Australia’s lower growth rates could be explained by low international migration to areas outside major capital cities.
International migration is responsible for more than half of Australia’s population growth, yet only 20 per cent settled in rural areas between 2006 and 2011.
Despite this, research found more than 100 small rural areas successfully attracted international migrants and turned their population challenges around.
Examples include Naracoorte and Lucindale (South Australia), Banana (Queensland), Circular Head (Tasmania) and Carnarvon (Western Australia).
RAI CEO Jack Archer said this success could be replicated more widely if international migration became the number one priority for other rural communities, instead of being the last resort.
“Our regional populations would grow at the same pace or even faster than the capital cities if more regional communities employed similar strategies to encourage migrants to move to their region,” Mr Archer said.
“These are mostly ageing places and migrants can offer population stability and build diversity in these local communities as they are young, skilled and ambitious.
“Many rural communities remain concerned about the loss of working age people and local services and capacity as the local population ages, but there are strategies to prevent this from happening.”
The report said Dalwallinu, in Western Australia, realised the potential in international migration and led a project to repopulate with overseas residents.
A total of 198 new residents moved to Dalwallinu from various locations including the Philippines, India, Burma, Thailand, China and Britain, resulting in a 15 per cent population growth in a few short years.
The RAI said the election of Pauline Hanson to the Senate could further distance Australia from securing successful migration to the regions that would most benefit.
“I’m worried about the negative impact Pauline Hanson will have in Parliament, especially on regional areas,” Mr Archer said.
“Hanson’s views on immigration could generate unnecessary fear at a critical time, when opportunity for growth is at our fingertips.”
- The “Missing Migrants” report is available online
