EVALUATION OF NEW MOVE
TALENT ATTRACTION PROGRAM IN NEWCASTLE , NSW AUSTRALIA
Olivia Wyborn , Senior Consultant , Institute for Regional Futures , University of Newcastle , Professor Roberta Ryan , Chair of Local Government and Director , Institute for Regional Futures , University of Newcastle , Simon Massey , Economic Strategy and Government Relations Manager , City of Newcastle and New Move Program co-lead and SallyAnn Hunting , Director Research Programs , Institute for Regional Futures , University of Newcastle , and New Move Evaluation Project Director
INTRODUCTION The City of Newcastle ’ s New Move is an economic development program designed to attract talent to Newcastle as a vehicle to inject stimulus into the local economy . Inspired by the US Tulsa Remote program New Move was launched in March 2021 and was crafted to promote the diverse economic opportunities which exist in Newcastle and to inspire skilled and talented individuals from capital cities to relocate to Newcastle . These two objectives were expected to be achieved through a relocation grant designed to incentivise 30 people living in capital cities , to move to Newcastle .
Successful applicants ( New Movers ) received $ 10,000 AUD for relocating to Newcastle to help with relocation costs , do something for the community , or put towards purchases that support the creation of new economic opportunities and start a new life in Newcastle . The program also provided free access to a co-working space with an in-kind value of $ 5,000 AUD and a tailored community program of ongoing networking and support to help integrate New Movers into the local ecosystem .
The City of Newcastle commissioned the University of Newcastle to undertake an evaluation of the New Move program in two stages . The first stage examined how the program initially attracted people to Newcastle , and the second stage examined the program ’ s traction and its contribution to economic and social outcomes for the New Movers ’ first 6-12 months . The focus of this article is the first stage of the New Move program . Stage 1 of the program covered the period 1st of March to the end of June 2021 .
CHALLENGES NEW MOVE SOUGHT TO ADDRESS New Move aimed to attract talented people to the city by broadening perceptions about the economic opportunities of Newcastle .
New Move sought to address the following :
• A perception that Newcastle is a lifestyle city that lacks a depth of economic opportunities . The city is perceived to have a limited labour market and to lack the cultural diversity and amenity of larger cities .
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