It's a new era for government agencies in the regions with more senior NSW Government roles to be based in regional communities, increasing the number of high skilled job opportunities in the bush.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro today announced the new 'Regional Workforce Principles' while presenting the 20-Year Economic Vision for Regional NSW at Sanctus Brewing Company in Townsend in the Clarence Valley.
Mr Barilaro said the best way we can future proof regional NSW from the impacts of prolonged drought, fires and floods is to diversify our regional economies and to create high-paying quality job opportunities.
"This announcement will see NSW Government public sector roles advertised from any location with 'regional location encouraged' and a commitment to increase the proportion of senior government roles in the regions by 2023," Mr Barilaro said.
"One thing we have learned in the past year is that you don't need to be tethered to a desk in Sydney CBD to do a variety of jobs.
"It's essential that the people who work to support this state are living and working in the communities they serve, making connections with locals, experiencing life in the regions and becoming fully immersed in the community.
"These principles will help to create a more flexible sector, taking more of the decision making out of Sydney and ensuring a greater geographical spread of staff living in regional communities."
Mr Barilaro said the Regional Workforce Principles and the Regional Education Strategy, also announced today, demonstrate the NSW Government's commitment to delivering its 20-Year Economic Vision for Regional NSW.
"After the impacts of natural disasters and a pandemic, it's clear our communities want a stronger, safer regional NSW, which is not only surviving, but thriving, and the 20-year Vision sets out a clear pathway forward," Mr Barilaro said.
"Whether people already live regionally or are making the tree-change, they want to know there will be job security, career progression and a great school for the kids to get a good start at life, and both of today's announcements tick those boxes.
"The Department of Regional NSW is leading the way, having established working hubs in Armidale, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo and Queanbeyan in the past six months and it will soon begin to assist agencies to grow their workforces in regional NSW too."
