Welcome to ORANGE: Research says Orange is now rated the most appealing city in country NSW.
ORANGE City Council staff recommended the city continues its $60,000 annual contribution to the Evocities initiative designed to entice city dwellers to relocate here.
In a report due to be presented to council last night, staff recommended Orange continues its association with Evocities for at least another four years.
Research contained in the report revealed Orange is now rated the most appealing city in country NSW, considered a more desirable place to live than its Evocities counterparts including Albury, Armidale, Bathurst, Dubbo, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga.
Orange mayor John Davis said research shows that most people likely to respond to the Evocities campaign are the people who already have a country connection.
“That makes a lot of sense to me,” Cr Davis said.
“But those people looking to move are also faced with persuading their families.
“That’s where the idea of not moving back to the bush but the concept of swapping one city for another comes in.
“I’m delighted with the success of the Evocities campaign and I’m looking forward to it continuing.”
Since Evocities was launched in September 2010 the program has helped 505 households relocate, generating an estimated $48 million in revenue from direct spending.
The report says interviews with participants in the scheme are overwhelmingly positive with only 18 per cent saying the move did not meet their expectations.
Of those who have moved, 41 per cent are professionals and around 25 per cent own a business and most are aged between 31 and 35 years old with no children and an average household income of $90,000.
tracey.prisk@ruralpress.com