How much bang for buck does Dubbo receive from the Evocities regional relocation program?
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The benefits are beyond measure according to campaign spokesman James Treloar of Tamworth.
"It's not about how many people have moved to a particular city in a particular time frame," he said.
"Evocities is about changing long-held public perceptions about life in country NSW.
"It's about getting people to move west of the Great Dividing Range and promoting regional cities as vibrant, thriving locations offering jobs, positive lifestyle benefits and affordable housing."
Mr Treloar said the Evocities concept began in 2001 when Dubbo, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga councils discussed ways of gaining a better deal for inland local government areas.
"Nine cities were invited to attend a meeting in Mudgee," he said.
"Queanbeyan and Mudgee councils decided not to proceed with a proposed joint marketing campaign.
"Albury, Armidale, Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga embraced the idea.
"They felt regional cities had been getting a raw deal from successive state governments. There was also a desire to correct long-held metropolitan perceptions about what many people viewed as limited opportunities available in country cities.
"The aim was to design a campaign to bring people over the Great Divide to live, work and invest in regional inland cities."
By 2006 the councils were ready to formalise their partnership. Foundation funding arrangements were put in place with pledges of $600,000 from local, state and federal government.
When the state reneged on the deal the federal government came forward with $1.2 million.
"The feds had confidence in what Evocities was setting out to achieve," Mr Treloar said.
"They could see there was a need to support regional cities while taking the pressure off Sydney."
Research identified western Sydney and areas of northern and southern Sydney as main target groups.
Evocities was officially launched in 2010 with a website and advertising on metropolitan railway station platforms, buses and billboards on major freeways leading into Sydney.
"We deliberately targeted congested roads," Mr Treloar said.
"We wanted people stuck in traffic to think about what it would be like to enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle.
"At the beginning of the Evocities campaign we did an extensive study of 1000 people who were considering or prepared to consider relocating from Sydney.
"At that time only three out of every 10 were prepared to think about moving west of the Great Dividing Range.
"By 2012 that figure had jumped to 5.8 out of every 10 because people were more aware regional cities had health and professional services, private schooling, tertiary education, shopping centres and sporting and cultural facilities.
"People were relocating to regional centres and member councils could see that Evocities had been successful. A decision was made to continue with the program while ever it was able to be of benefit by ensuring ongoing opportunities for regional development in NSW."
Mr Treloar said research identified a whole range of reasons why people would or would not consider a city-change.
Many survey respondents were excited about the prospect of improved family life in the country, less congestion and better value housing and accommodation.
Others were concerned about leaving jobs and moving away from family and social networks.
"We came up with the Evojobs website so that people considering a move knew exactly what jobs were on offer in country cities," Mr Treloar said.
"Looking after the jobs network and the overall website is one of the most important things Evocities can do.
"We have been undertaking that process since 2012 without any assistance from the federal government."
Mr Treloar said the Evocities campaign was about more than attracting new residents and businesses to regional cities.
"We are also about providing advocacy for regional NSW in influencing regional and state economic development plans and strategies," he said.
"Evocity mayors and general managers meet every three months and the seven member cities are involved in political lobbying on a joint basis.
"More is able to be achieved as a combined force."
Mr Treloar said people did not relocate on a whim and getting families and individuals to move to an Evocity could be a long process.
"Results are being achieved," he said.
"We are able to see that the seven member cities are growing at a rate far greater than what is happening in the rest of inland NSW.
"We know 30,000 people visit the jobs website every month.
"The other good news is that Evocities has a one in three recognition factor in Sydney. It is very pleasing to have been able to achieve that level of saturation in a large and busy metropolitan area."