Move to More campaign to encourage regional living

FIRST OF ITS KIND... The Federal Government-backed campaign encouraging people to consider living regionally. Photo: Supplied

THE Regional Australia Institute (RAI) last week unveiled a multi-million-dollar national awareness campaign to encourage city-dwellers to find their new home in the regions and to ‘Move to More’.

For readers of this newspaper, the benefits of regional living are probably well known. However, it’s apparently been a tougher sell for city slickers wedded to their air pollution, steering wheel-whacking traffic, and insane property prices.

The Move to More campaign promotes regional Australia as an attractive and viable alternative to capital city living, with opportunities for a more affordable lifestyle and a better work-life balance.

Backed by the Federal Government, the campaign was launched at the RAI Regions Rising National Summit in Canberra, and RAI chief executive officer, Liz Ritchie, said it will play a critical role in promoting the opportunities to live, work and invest in regional Australia.

“As Australia’s only think-tank dedicated to regional issues, the RAI has been calling for an intervention in the projected population settlement of our nation,” Ms Ritchie said.

“Move to More provides a new narrative that will encourage a societal shift and be a turning point for our country to re-think regional.”

The campaign was launched by Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of The Nationals, Michael McCormack, who said living in a regional, rural, remote, country or coastal community didn’t just bring a better quality of life but the potential of a well-paying job, too.

“Regional Australia offers so much that capital cities just cannot – a big backyard, less time commuting, more time with loved ones and a stronger sense of community,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

The campaign is the first of its kind in Australia, with advertising which will be seen across Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth, starting in April.