NSW: Country folk to lure Sydneysiders to the bush

AAP General News (Australia)
08-08-2008
NSW: Country folk to lure Sydneysiders to the bush

SYDNEY, Aug 8 AAP - Country NSW will be dangling hundreds of jobs and cheap housing
in front of Sydneysiders this weekend in an attempt to lure them to the bush.

The Country Week Expo will be held at Rosehill in western Sydney, with stalls from
more than 60 local councils and other regional organisations.

The 770 jobs on offer range from an architect's position in the central western town
of Dubbo through to a boilermaker in the northern coastal town of Coffs Harbour.

Regional Development Minister Tony Kelly said a Country Week real estate survey also
revealed renting a four bedroom home in country NSW was up to $7,500 a year cheaper than
in Sydney.

He said the average home on acreage in regional NSW cost about $310,000, compared to
the $435,000 you'd spend on a small block on Sydney's outskirts.

"I know many families, particularly in western Sydney, are facing mortgage stress,
high rent and long journeys to work, but there is a better life out there, in country
NSW," Mr Kelly said in a statement.

"I can tell you myself, as a country resident, I know the advantages of bringing up
a family in regional NSW with lots of open space, a relaxed lifestyle and the support
of a close knit community."

The expo starts today and runs until Sunday.

AAP nr/evt/cjh/mn

KEYWORD: COUNTRY

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