1. Seachangers, Tree-Huggers or Something Else?: Understanding the Experiences of Young Families Who’ve Made the Move to Non-metropolitan Australia. K.Healy, A. Hampshire, A. Michaux, A. Donnet Uni of Qld, Mission Australia, and The Benevolent Society

2. Overview Snapshot of non-metropolitan growth Methodology Relocators’ perspectives on: -Reasons for relocating -Contributors to social exclusion -Contributors to social inclusion Policy Implications

3. Snapshot of Population Growth (2001-2006) Increasing population growth Australia (6.6% growth between 2001 and 2006) Strongest growth: Qld, NSW and Victoria Non-capital city growth strongest in Queensland Total Pop’n growth No. to non- capital Cities areas QLD 462600 271300 (58.7%) NSW 24200085900 (35.4%) VIC 24460050800 (20.7%)

4. Characteristics and effects of the Non-Metro Growth Concentrated in coastal areas close to capital cities or regional growth areas & within commuting distance to work Improvement of socio-economic status of some areas; Displacement of disadvantage

5. Qualitative Methodology 4 locations 43 Interviews with parents Purposive sample Recent arrivals (majority < 2 years) Semi-structured interviews

6. Reasons for Relocation Housing (Enhanced access to quality housing) ‘Where I was living before in western Sydney, I was paying $180 a week in a unit and it was horrible. So I thought, why not pay rent at the same price and actually be able to move to the beach?” (respondent, Central Coast NSW) Private Housing Public Housing Central Coast (NSW) √X Urban Fringe (NSW) √ X Inland Rural (Qld) √√ Central (Qld), coastal XX

7. Reasons for relocation (cont’d) Employment Lifestyle and Safety Social Connections Employ- ment Lifestyle Central Coast (NSW) X√ Urban Fringe (NSW) X√ Inland Rural (Qld) √√ Central (Qld), coastal √ X

8. Factors contributing to social exclusion Dislocation from informal networks Inadequate local transport systems Commuting for work InsularityMobilityInadequate Service Systems Urban Fringe (NSW) √√√XX√ Coastal (NSW) √√√XX√ Coastal (Qld) √√XX√√ Inland rural (Qld) √√X√X√

9. Contributors to Social Inclusion “Universal” opportunities for low key engagement Quality public amenities Social and educational services as facilitators (proactive and flexible engagement)

10. Policy Implications Responses must recognise local conditions Regional development Transport infrastructure Workforce planning Importance of non-problem based activities Enhancing and supporting role of existing service systems.