A PROGRAM to entice new residents to the Southern Downs has been launched at a business networking evening hosted by the Southern Downs Regional Council and Warwick Chamber of Commerce.

The council economic development unit designed the program to welcome new comers to the area and to help them settle quickly and easily into the diverse lifestyle offered in the Southern Downs and to outline the many reasons why it is a great place to live, work and unwind.

The New Residents’ Program comprises three parts: An information booklet; a set of discount vouchers from businesses across the region; and an invitation to a meet-and- greet event with Mayor Tracy Dobie.

Welcome booklet

The New Residents’ Welcome Booklet provides information about key council and non-council community services that can assist residents who are new to the Southern Downs.

Welcome vouchers

Significant incentives are offered to new residents to shop locally, with businesses across the Southern Downs region providing vouchers, currently valued at $7000.

The vouchers are a key component of the program and will be available from council community contact centres. It is anticipated that new residents will use the discount vouchers to enjoy a visit to local businesses which will give them a positive welcoming experience and lead to repeat business.

This will, in turn, keep dollars local and support the Southern Downs economy.

The discounts offered by businesses are required to be unique to the program and not offered elsewhere.

Functions

The final aspect of the program is the invitation to new residents to attend a special welcome function during their first year of residence in the region.

The function will be informal and offer a great way to meet people – the mayor, councillors and community leaders – as well as make new friends and find out more about our diverse region and the all it has to offer.

How it works

When a new resident signs a contract to purchase a property in the region or signs a lease for at least six months, their real estate agent will give them the welcome booklet with program flyer.

To access the voucher offers, new residents must present their contract of sale or lease agreement, as well as photo identification to council offices in Stanthorpe or Warwick.

The new resident will need to complete a short questionnaire, following which they will receive vouchers for their use.

The invitation to the welcome function will be provided closer to the event.

Want to join?

If your business has not yet signed up to this initiative, there is still time to do so.

Council strongly encourages businesses to consider this unique opportunity to engage new residents who could become new customers now and well into the future.