Essential workers welcomed to Moree Plains in free service

NSW Health, NSW Ambulance and the NSW Police Force are the leading categories of skilled workers who have relocated to the Moree Plains local government area in the first 12 months of The Welcome Experience.

Delivered by Moree Plains Shire Council and fully funded by the NSW government, The Welcome Experience is a free service for essential workers and their families that provides personalised support, information and connections to support their relocation to the Moree Plains.

All support is tailored to the individuals’ circumstances and any essential workers who have recently relocated to the area are encouraged to sign up for the free program.

A report providing a one-year update on the program was submitted and accepted by the council during October’s ordinary meeting, with mayor Susannah Pearse highlighting the positive outcomes.

“Since the launch of The Welcome Experience, there have been 187* expressions of interest relocating to in Moree Plains LGA,” said Cr Pearse.

“This has translated into 66 essential workers who have been supported in relocating to our shire.

“That’s 66 new skill sets making a positive difference in our community, including 43 healthcare workers, with 17 of those working in NSW Ambulance. That figure does not include the families of these workers, people who bring their own unique talents and abilities to further strengthen our community.”

Cr Pearse said having the dedicated, warm and welcoming local workforce connector Fiona Kennedy as a point of contact for new members of the community gives them the best start to life on the Moree Plains, helping them to get settled and get acquainted with the area.

“More than just bringing vital know-how and workplace talents, these people are making our shire their new home and we want them to feel at home from the outset,” Cr Pearse said.

“Council is so pleased that The Welcome Experience is helping these people and their families with the life administration that is an inevitable part of settling into a new place, from the practicalities of finding housing, choosing childcare and exploring job opportunities for partners, through to making connections in the community.

“The practical assistance and personal touch provided by the program’s local workforce connector, Fiona, such as organising ‘newcomer’ events, for example local tours and the Festival of Onam, has assisted participants in the program with assimilating into the local community.

“Some essential workers have even reported a desire to stay longer-term, which contributes to retention of skilled staff in the shire and creates positive, indirect outcomes for local business.