Guest The Pom Queen Posted October 6, 2017 Share Posted October 6, 2017 Population growth has profound impacts on Australian life, and sorting myths from facts can be difficult. This article is part of our series, Is Australia Full?, which aims to help inform a wide-ranging and often emotive debate. Rather than being an unsettling force, international migrants are helping to provide stability to the regional Australian communities they settle in. A considerable number of new arrivals are also younger and have the potential to build families and work in these communities. Research with the Regional Australia Institute, examining the latest 2016 Census data, found 151 regional local government areas were helping to offset declining population in regional areas by attracting international migrants. We can see that, for many small towns, the overseas-born are the only source of population growth. A majority of these places rely on primary industry for economic viability. Although predominantly rural, these places are not in the most remote parts of Australia. Growth of Australian-born and overseas-born population, 2011-16 Regional Australia Institute, Author provided Of the 550 local government areas we reviewed, 175 regional areas increased their population, while 246 did not; 151 increased their overseas-born and decreased their Australian-born population. Only 20 areas increased in Australian-born population and decreased in overseas-born population. We also found that 128 regional areas increased both Australian-born and overseas-born population. Another 116 regional areas decreased in both Australian-born and overseas-born population. Darwin is one example of where international migration has helped counter population decline. At the 2011 Census, Darwin had 45,442 people recorded as born in Australia and 19,455 born elsewhere. By 2016, the number of Australian-born locals had reduced to 44,953 and the number of overseas-born had increased to 24,961. Without this increase in overseas-born residents, the Darwin population would have decreased. The local economy would likely have suffered as a result. The problem of shrinking regional towns Ever since the influx of immigrants following the second world war, the settlement of international migrants has been overwhelmingly focused on large metropolitan centres. This has been especially evident for recently arrived immigrants and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Migrants perceive metropolitan areas as presenting a higher likelihood of finding compatriots and better access to employment, as well as education and health services. Large cities have therefore been considered the most appealing settlement locations, with Sydney and Melbourne the most popular. If settlement of international migrants had been proportional to the overall population distribution in Australia, an additional 125,000 migrants would have settled in regional Australia between 2006 and 2011. In a concerted effort to promote the social and economic viability of regional communities, in 2004 the federal government started a campaign to increase migrant settlement throughout different areas of the country. Regional settlement of migrants has since been encouraged across levels of government as a “win-win scenario” for new arrivals and host communities alike. What international migrants bring In the past decade, there has been a particular focus on secondary migration to regional areas. That is, relocating international arrivals from metropolitan areas to regional ones. Proactive community-business partnerships and local government initiatives have propelled this process. For example, in the Victorian town of Nhill, the local arm of the poultry production company Luv-a-Duck worked with settlement service provider AMES Australia to help more than 160 Karen refugees find work in the area between 2010 and 2015. In another town, Dalwallinu in Western Australia, the population was in decline and local infrastructure was deemed underused. In response, the local council has worked closely with residents since 2010 to attract skilled migrants. Notwithstanding the challenges involved in attraction and retention, international migrants remain a vital asset for building regional economies and communities. They help stem skilled labour shortages in these areas – for example, by filling much-needed doctor and nursing positions. International migrants are also key contributors to the unskilled workforce, often filling positions that domestic workers are unwilling to take on. For example, abattoirs and poultry plants are important businesses in regional Australia. Many would be unable to operate without international migrants, as many local residents do not consider this kind of work “acceptable employment”. As a consequence of the various efforts to spread the settlement of overseas arrivals, the number of international migrants living and working in non-metropolitan Australia has increased. Between 2006 and 2011, 187,000 international migrants settled outside the major capital cities. Still, regional areas have remained underrepresented as a settlement location. Despite regional Australia being home to about one-third of the population, less than one-fifth of all new arrivals between 2006 and 2011 settled in a regional area. For regional areas to make the most of the many advantages migrants have to offer, there needs to be more focused policy that encourages and assists regional settlement across the country. This policy needs to be informed by the work in a growing number of regional communities (like Nhill and Dalwallinu) that already draw on international migration to combat population loss and persistent labour shortages. By encouraging more international migrants to call regional Australia “home”, we can start focusing on ensuring regional prosperity for the long term. You can read other articles in the Is Australia Full? series here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest263228 Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 On 6/10/2017 at 18:27, The Pom Queen said: Population growth has profound impacts on Australian life, and sorting myths from facts can be difficult. This article is part of our series, Is Australia Full?, which aims to help inform a wide-ranging and often emotive debate. Rather than being an unsettling force, international migrants are helping to provide stability to the regional Australian communities they settle in. A considerable number of new arrivals are also younger and have the potential to build families and work in these communities. Research with the Regional Australia Institute, examining the latest 2016 Census data, found 151 regional local government areas were helping to offset declining population in regional areas by attracting international migrants. We can see that, for many small towns, the overseas-born are the only source of population growth. A majority of these places rely on primary industry for economic viability. Although predominantly rural, these places are not in the most remote parts of Australia. Growth of Australian-born and overseas-born population, 2011-16 Regional Australia Institute, Author provided Of the 550 local government areas we reviewed, 175 regional areas increased their population, while 246 did not; 151 increased their overseas-born and decreased their Australian-born population. Only 20 areas increased in Australian-born population and decreased in overseas-born population. We also found that 128 regional areas increased both Australian-born and overseas-born population. Another 116 regional areas decreased in both Australian-born and overseas-born population. Darwin is one example of where international migration has helped counter population decline. At the 2011 Census, Darwin had 45,442 people recorded as born in Australia and 19,455 born elsewhere. By 2016, the number of Australian-born locals had reduced to 44,953 and the number of overseas-born had increased to 24,961. Without this increase in overseas-born residents, the Darwin population would have decreased. The local economy would likely have suffered as a result. The problem of shrinking regional towns Ever since the influx of immigrants following the second world war, the settlement of international migrants has been overwhelmingly focused on large metropolitan centres. This has been especially evident for recently arrived immigrants and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Migrants perceive metropolitan areas as presenting a higher likelihood of finding compatriots and better access to employment, as well as education and health services. Large cities have therefore been considered the most appealing settlement locations, with Sydney and Melbourne the most popular. If settlement of international migrants had been proportional to the overall population distribution in Australia, an additional 125,000 migrants would have settled in regional Australia between 2006 and 2011. In a concerted effort to promote the social and economic viability of regional communities, in 2004 the federal government started a campaign to increase migrant settlement throughout different areas of the country. Regional settlement of migrants has since been encouraged across levels of government as a “win-win scenario” for new arrivals and host communities alike. What international migrants bring In the past decade, there has been a particular focus on secondary migration to regional areas. That is, relocating international arrivals from metropolitan areas to regional ones. Proactive community-business partnerships and local government initiatives have propelled this process. For example, in the Victorian town of Nhill, the local arm of the poultry production company Luv-a-Duck worked with settlement service provider AMES Australia to help more than 160 Karen refugees find work in the area between 2010 and 2015. In another town, Dalwallinu in Western Australia, the population was in decline and local infrastructure was deemed underused. In response, the local council has worked closely with residents since 2010 to attract skilled migrants. Notwithstanding the challenges involved in attraction and retention, international migrants remain a vital asset for building regional economies and communities. They help stem skilled labour shortages in these areas – for example, by filling much-needed doctor and nursing positions. International migrants are also key contributors to the unskilled workforce, often filling positions that domestic workers are unwilling to take on. For example, abattoirs and poultry plants are important businesses in regional Australia. Many would be unable to operate without international migrants, as many local residents do not consider this kind of work “acceptable employment”. As a consequence of the various efforts to spread the settlement of overseas arrivals, the number of international migrants living and working in non-metropolitan Australia has increased. Between 2006 and 2011, 187,000 international migrants settled outside the major capital cities. Still, regional areas have remained underrepresented as a settlement location. Despite regional Australia being home to about one-third of the population, less than one-fifth of all new arrivals between 2006 and 2011 settled in a regional area. For regional areas to make the most of the many advantages migrants have to offer, there needs to be more focused policy that encourages and assists regional settlement across the country. This policy needs to be informed by the work in a growing number of regional communities (like Nhill and Dalwallinu) that already draw on international migration to combat population loss and persistent labour shortages. By encouraging more international migrants to call regional Australia “home”, we can start focusing on ensuring regional prosperity for the long term. You can read other articles in the Is Australia Full? series here. Far too few international migrants are settling in regional areas though. Dalwallinu here in WA is an example, as mentioned, in the article, another in this state is Katanning where I was a week plus ago. Some 10% of the population Malay Muslim. A number of refugees have settled in the town, with Burmese leading the charge, but African folks most clearly visible on the day of my visit. This town celebrates Harmony Day every year and the diversity appears well received from the few locals, at least that I spoke with. I have long advocated humanitarian migrants, often with agricultural skills be resettled in towns of a rural setting. Burmese groups of The Karen ethnicity often prefer the countryside, as do Hmong Lao and certain African entrants. It certainly revitalises dying or stagnant towns instead of sending most to way over subscribed metro centres of Sydney and Melbourne especially. Other examples outside of Nhill have been Mt Gambier in SA, where initial hostility in certain quarters appears to be declining as Burmese Karen establish themselves in that city and Wagga Wagga where Bhutanese in some number have settled. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evandale Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 53 minutes ago, Pura Vida said: Hmong Lao Brilliant farmers and very popular here in Tasmania. Their produce is amazing and very well priced! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest263228 Posted October 9, 2017 Share Posted October 9, 2017 2 hours ago, Evandale said: Brilliant farmers and very popular here in Tasmania. Their produce is amazing and very well priced! Indeed. Quite a considerable number moved over time to FNQ though. Where a moderately large community has been established . I expect the Tasmanian weather conditions were too far removed from what that group was used to and FNQ the most similar. Their attire is very colourful as well. Australia could do worse than doubling its humanitarian stake bringing in far more in attune with rural living. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlight7 Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 It would be good even in places like Korumburra where things grow well but the town is declining. Maybe the government could offer this and beef it up a bit? I think it is pretty disgraceful that after all these years most of the interior is unpopulated and no one even thinks of trying to get irrigation up there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobj Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 9 hours ago, starlight7 said: It would be good even in places like Korumburra where things grow well but the town is declining. Maybe the government could offer this and beef it up a bit? I think it is pretty disgraceful that after all these years most of the interior is unpopulated and no one even thinks of trying to get irrigation up there. Where does one start with irrigation? There are far more deserving areas. Many years ago, Sir Charles Court, the then Premier of WA promised a big dam in the East Kimberley if he was re-elected. Now there is a huge dam and the water is going out to sea... Look at the water history of Kalgoorlie and Mundaring Weir to see what the water issue is about. Cheers, Bobj. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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