A lower cost of living, job opportunities and fewer concerns about COVID-19 have led more people to escape Australia’s capital cities for a tree change and a new push is on to lure even more Australians to the regions.

Job seekers are being urged to consider a move to Glen Innes Highlands and other regional places, as part of the newly launched Regional Activators Alliance.

The Regional Activators Alliance (RAA) was launched this week by Deputy Prime Minister the Hon. Michael McCormack and is made up of 36 representative organisations from across the country, including local councils, economic development groups and industry representatives. In his announcement of a new national awareness campaign, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack urged Australians to keep the regions in mind, saying that "now is the time to make the move".

"I have always said regional Australia is big enough in which to get a good cup of coffee, but small enough to care," Mr McCormack said.

"There are jobs, there is a better lifestyle and there is the opportunity to build a fresh start - regional Australia is the best place to live, work and raise a family."

Council is a proud member of the RAA and is looking forward to working with independent think tank Regional Australia Institute and the Federal Government to create national awareness of the benefits of regional living, to drive population growth in regional Australia.

“Our part in this program will assist us to spread the word about why Glen Innes is a great place to visit, live and invest" said Margot Davis, Manager Economic Development.

"With COVID-19 creating a disconnect for many urban residents, we have a real opportunity to leverage our lifestyle, culture and community to attract people to our town." she added.

The RAA is analysing population movement from capital cities to the regions. Its Big Movers Report released earlier this year showed 65,000 people choose regional Australia, rather than metropolitan areas in the 12 months prior to the report being launched.

Glen Innes Severn Council joins other representative organisations in the RAA from across the country, including:

• Advance Cairns

• AgKnowledge Services Australia

• BDO

• Blue River Group

• Central NSW Joint Organisation

• City of Ballarat

• Committee for Greater Shepparton

• Cradle Coast Authority

• Findex

• Glen Innes Severn Council

• Greater Hume Council

• Greater Whitsunday Alliance

• Gunnedah Shire Council

• Heritage Bank

• Hughes et al

• Kardia HR

• Mid-Western Regional Council

• Multicultural Australia

• RDA Goldfields Esperance

• RDA Limestone Coast

• RDA Orana

• RDA Riverina

• RDA Southern Inland

• RDA Wheatbelt

• Regional Investment Corporation

• Rockhampton Regional Council

• Singleton Council

• Southern Grampians Shire Council

• Spencer Gulf Cities

• Tatiara Shire Council

• Temora Shire Council

• Townsville Enterprise Limited

• Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE)

• Western Downs Regional Council

• Wimmera Development Association