Local jobs and economic input have already been created through the New Move program, which saw 30 creatives, innovators, and accomplished entrepreneurs relocate to Newcastle, bringing skills, talent, and diverse opportunities for the city.
The City of Newcastle developed the Australian-first economic stimulus program to incentivise people from Australia’s capital cities to move to Newcastle and invest in the city’s economic, cultural and community growth.
Targeted at a metropolitan audience, 30 successful applicants who met the eligibility criteria received a $10,000 relocation grant to be spent within the Newcastle local government area.
The recipients committed to becoming ambassadors for the city through event attendance, mentoring, volunteering and knowledge sharing, helping to develop local skills and create further economic opportunities.
The program provided the new residents with access to co-working spaces and networking events to build business and community connections, ensuring they had the best opportunity to help deliver economic and social returns to the city.
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen said the attraction of skilled professionals under the New Move program had tangible benefits for the city.
“Newcastle’s position as an economic hub is driven by innovation and skills. By attracting new talent to the city, New Move is boosting Newcastle’s economy and creating new local jobs,” Cr Clausen said.
“The positive impacts of the relocation of 30 New Move grant recipients have already been felt, and REMPLAN economic modelling has shown that the program will create up to 75 new local jobs and up to $25 million in additional local economic output.”
New Move grant recipient Nicole Shelley was born in Newcastle and returned to her hometown after 14 years in Sydney to expand her marketing agency, pepperit.
“Although I have lived away from Newcastle since 2007, I’ve witnessed the transformation the city has undergone to become a hub of innovation and creativity, which is one of the reasons I was attracted to move back,” Shelley said.
“Since moving to Newcastle, I have opened a local pepperit office, employed three locals in full-time positions, and our business is currently supporting two internships for University of Newcastle students, with plans to grow our team to eight within 12 months.
“I look forward to continuing to give back to the local community and am eager to play a part in the ongoing transformation of this amazing city.”
Newcastle’s newest residents have relocated from across the globe and throughout Australia.
Some are from Sydney and Melbourne, and others returned to Australia for the New Move program from Hong Kong and The Netherlands.
Co-founder of Art Thinking Maria José Sanchez-Varela Barajas moved from Mexico and has already helped bring festivals and ideas to Newcastle.
“I love the way that culture and heritage are embraced throughout global destinations like Singapore, Dubai and Barcelona, to create a unique vibrancy through art, science and innovation, and I see the same potential in Newcastle, which is why I made the move here, ” Sanchez-Varela Barajas said.
“For me, Newcastle has the perfect combination of creativity, a great location, art, innovation and entrepreneurship to thrive within, and I’m keen to play my role in driving innovation and new ideas forward.”
Hayley McMahon
Information source: City of Newcastle