Evocities campaign lures more residents to Bathurst

The Evocities campaign was launched in September 2010 as a joint project between seven regional councils and the state and federal governments, and saw huge billboards constructed on the major roads in Sydney and a radio campaign talking up the advantages of country life.

Bathurst, Orange, Albury, Armidale, Dubbo, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga local councils have all renewed their commitment to the campaign through to November 2015, and are currently 

waiting for the government to come on board and extend the life of what they are all touting as a very successful drive to grow regional Australia.

The latest data to come out of Evocities reports that 924 households have relocated to one of the seven regional destinations as a direct result of the campaign.

Bathurst mayor Monica Morse said around 189 of those relocations have been to Bathurst, making it a very popular choice. She anticipates this will only increase as Sydney house prices continue to rise and families look for an alternative lifestyle.

“As a city we have everything anyone could want: sporting facilities, music and theatre, quality schools and affordable housing. Why would you go anywhere else?”

According to Australian Property Monitors, Bathurst’s median house price for the period January to May 2013 came in at $330,000. 

“By Sydney standards, that is still peanuts,” Cr Morse said. 

The Australian Bureau of Statistics records show Bathurst with a steady annual growth rate of just over one per cent since the Evocities campaign commenced, and the latest estimated resident population figures for 2012 reveal that 40,209 people now call themselves Bathurstians. 

Council is currently projecting the city’s population to reach over 50,000 by 2031, and Cr Morse said this growth, which can be easily serviced by current facilities, will benefit all sectors of the community.