Rural City of Wangaratta

Australia's increasing involvement in international markets has led to greater emphasis being given to the 'skill' component of Australia's Migration Program. Skilled migrants can help offset specific skill shortages, and they expand the size and quality of the Australian workforce.

The Victorian State Government has provided funding and assistance for the Wangaratta Rural City Council to develop and implement a Migration Strategy. The strategy is the basis for attracting skilled and business migrants and their families to settle and work in north east Victoria.

The objectives are to:

• Assist regional communities develop and implement strategies which attract and retain skilled migrants.
• Facilitate skilled migrant employment in areas where there are identified skill shortages and adequate access to education, health services and housing opportunities.
• Support communities in their efforts to include skilled migrants as equal contributors to their local area, and assist migrants to settle in regional Victoria.
• Contribute to the development of diverse and strong communities in Victoria by building social networks, community interaction, and social and economic inclusion. 

Wangaratta can make it happen

This is the message the city is sending to anyone looking for a fresh start in regional Victoria. While offering a blend of city and country life, our Mayor said the foremost attraction to Wangaratta is opportunity.

"What makes Wangaratta appealing is the fact that there are jobs available in skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled labour," he said.  "We are a growing city, which is well-placed geographically and driven by very successful business, industry and tourism.  Our buoyant economy provides employment opportunities across a wide range of industries."

Wangaratta has boomed in the past couple of years with help from major retail giants like The Warehouse, Rivers, Jay Jays, Super Cheap Auto, Big W and more recently, Bunnings. The industrial sector has also taken off, with industrial land sales in the last 12 months exceeding those in the last 12 years, along with the development of new residential areas.

And while this tells the tale of many growing centres across the state, very few can boast of the broader lifestyle that Wangaratta offers.

• It is a safe and friendly community, with a full range of community support groups and well-being initiatives.
• The region is a wine and food lovers' paradise, with surrounding rich agricultural land yielding gourmet produce and world-class wines.
• The city is a sports-lovers' mecca, with first class playing arenas, golf courses, an indoor aquatic centre and other facilities across the municipality.
• The nearby alpine ranges are a playground for skiers in winter, while in summer fishing, bushwalking and cycling are popular pursuits.

For the younger members of the community, there are plenty of open spaces and playgrounds.

"Here you can live life at the perfect pace, balancing family and career aspirations in a vibrant, safe, progressive and caring community," the Mayor said.

The Wangaratta region offers such aspects as:

• A choice of educational facilities, from kindergarten through to TAFE
• Modern health facilities, including a base hospital and community health centres
• A skilled migration program to assist newcomers to the area
• Affordable housing
• A safe and friendly community
• A vibrant retail precinct

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