STATE government investment in the Evocities program is very welcome, according to former Evocities chairman and Dubbo mayor Mathew Dickerson, but he would have liked to see more.
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Mr Dickerson said he welcomed $300,000 in funding for a program he believed gave Dubbo great benefit but he lobbied former Regional Development Minister and now-Deputy Premier John Barilaro for more money.
“I was chairman when the amalgamation took place and we had met with John Barilaro, [then-Regional Development Minister,] who said ‘you’ll be getting the money’ but then the amalgamation got in the way,” Mr Dickerson said.
“It’s good to see that money has come but I would have liked to see more.
“We were pushing for a dollar-for-dollar investment to match the councils and that would have been $420,000.”
Dubbo is one of seven regions to be promoted in the mass-media marketing campaign aimed at attracting capital city residents to move to the country.
Evocities had previously been only funded by the councils representing Orange, Armidale, Tamworth, Dubbo, Bathurst, Wagga Wagga and Albury.
Orange City Council pulled out of the scheme in 2016 citing a lack of government support as one of its reasons.
However, this month council rejoined, agreeing to pay $70,000 after the government money was anticipated.
Councillor Jason Hamling was glad the government was backing the scheme, saying he was “over the moon the government has decided to see the light”.
Deputy premier John Barilaro said there were plenty of good reasons to relocate.
“Regional NSW is full of opportunities, whether it is getting a foot in the door to buy your first house or if you are a skilled worker looking for a better quality of life,” he said.
Earlier this year Evocities research showed that Orange was leading the way in attracting new residents with 711 more people moving in than leaving the city from 2010-2016.
Bathurst gained 123 people while Dubbo lost 160 people.
Evocities spokesman and Albury City Council mayor Kevin Mack said the grant was welcome news.
“Evocities play a major role in unlocking the potential of regional NSW,” he said.
“The $300,000 will be used on a targeted marketing campaign designed to engage a mass audience.”