Queensland is experiencing ongoing demographic changes. There is no need to tell Local Governments about this.  Some communities are experiencing unprecedented numbers of new arrivals from interstate and from overseas.  This has significant impact on Councils’ responsibilities to manage needs for increased infrastructure, services and also in building cohesive, harmonious communities.

Other communities are struggling with decreasing populations and growing skill shortages, which threaten essential services and weaken business activity.  Where skills cannot be sourced locally, Councils are often looking to attract new arrivals from overseas.

This resource is designed to assist Councils in regions with growing populations as well as those working to attract new settlers to their communities.

It is not envisaged that Councils are to become settlement agencies but that in the management of their day-to-day business, they and their communities can provide a welcome to new arrivals that will make outcomes for the whole community positive in the long term.  Migrants or humanitarian entrants who experience a sense of welcome and satisfactory settlement are more likely to stay and contribute significantly to their host community.