Dubbo jobs growth continues as workers paid to relocate to regional areas

Workers are leaving bigger cities in droves, opting to do their jobs in regional NSW. And they’re being paid up to $15,000 to move.

An offer of up to $15,000 to relocate, along with a desire for shorter commute times and a cheaper cost of living has seen a growing number of public servants relocate to regional NSW.

After the State Government created the Department of Regional NSW last year, it announced four offices in Dubbo, Coffs Harbour, Queanbeyan and Armidale would be established to house a mix up to 400 new and existing public sector workers.

Victoria Park in Dubbo. Picture: Jedd Manning

Already 16 people are working for the department in Dubbo, another 12 positions are being advertised and 13 are in the recruitment pipeline with up to 100 positions to be based at each regional office.

Jillian Cox is in the process of selling her house at Port Stephens and buying in the Dubbo region, where she now conducts her role as an assessment officer in the Department of Regional NSW’s mining, exploration and geoscience division.

“We deal with the leasing, the titles management and revenue, royalties and that sort of thing that flow from mining and exploration,” she said.

“Most of the team is in Maitland, our manager is in Sydney working from the Parramatta office.”

Jillian Cox in her new Dubbo office. Picture: Ryan Young

After initially starting her career with the public service more than 30 years ago in Dubbo, Ms Cox left the area for more opportunities elsewhere as her career blossomed.

She chose to relocate back to Dubbo after the Department of Regional NSW was created because “they made the process so much easier”.

“I could move my position to Dubbo, I didn’t have to apply for a job and go through all that. It was very stress free, not like selling the house.

“Dad was in the army and he retired here, so I’m actually from this area. I have relatives and family spread across from Wellington to Dubbo. One of my sisters and I inherited the house from Geurie so that’s where I’m living at the moment until I sell the place in Port Stephens.”

Public servants are flocking to Coffs Harbour and other regional NSW locations. Picture: Facebook/Coffs Harbour City Council

Ms Cox said easier access to housing and the prospect of slashing her commute time from 50 minutes to 20 also played a part in her decision to relocation.

“The cost of living here compared to Port Stephens or even Maitland is considerably a lot better.

“I’m looking at making a profit from the sale of the house and still coming out in front.”

A Department of Regional NSW spokeswoman said 75 per cent of the Department’s workforce was now based in regional NSW.

“Relocation of existing Sydney-based staff will be on a voluntary basis and staff who wish to relocate to one of the four locations will be provided with support to do so,” she said.

“Staff can get up to $15,000 relocation costs to cover expenses such as packing, removalists, new school uniforms and pet transport to make the move as attractive and easily as possible.”

Deputy Premier John Barilaro. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Deputy Premier and Regional NSW Minister John Barilaro said the Department was created to be a voice for people in the bush and has brought together the government’s Primary Industries, Local Land Services, Resources and Geoscience into one central agency.

“We want more jobs and opportunities in the regions and what better way than to have a regionally focused NSW Government Department located in the very regions we serve,” he said.

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