He said this meant business professionals previously believing they were stuck in a heavily urbanised or metropolitan environment, would have fresh insight that they could live anywhere in the state or country.
“This is something we in the Wimmera-Mallee of course have known for quite a while,” he said.
“We already have entrepreneurs who, working digitally in statewide, national and international markets, have shifted their families to the regions. And why not? Many people will be quick to realise they can have their cake and eat it too, operating businesses while enjoying the benefits of a rural and regional lifestyle.
“This understanding has the potential to have a profound influence on where people choose to live and run their operations.
“I can only imagine what it must be like for metropolitan people, who under strict social-distancing rules, are stuck in their apartment blocks knowing they are in hot-spots for virus infection because of simply where they live.
“Add to that the pressure of trying to work at home while minding kids.”
Cr Gersch said Hindmarsh Shire towns Jeparit, Nhill, Rainbow and Dimboola, along with other settlements across the region, represented ideal places for people emerging from the national lockdown looking to re-start their businesses and lives.
“There are two primary things you need when looking for a place to live and work,” he said.
“Of course there must be a job. And secondly, there must be community services that can meet health and education needs of a family – in other words, a community that can support you,” Cr Gersch said.
“Most country towns have doctors, hospitals and schools and so on but the big problem has traditionally been a lack of jobs.
“But as we’ve seen in the past couple of months, there is considerable potential for people to work from a distance.
“People from Melbourne, Adelaide or Sydney might be pleasantly surprised how seamless and easy it would be to set up in a place such as Jeparit, where the reality is the town already has solid foundations to move forward.
“The building blocks in our towns are already there and many aspects of life would surely be appealing.
“Housing, for example, is very affordable and in relative terms we tend to be in a very good and safe environment when it comes to criminal activity.
“This whole pandemic experience has been a wake-up call for many people about what they can and should be doing when it comes to alternative views of the world.
“I love being able to walk out to my back yard and have a clear view of the stars, breathe in fresh air and have room to move.
“People ask me why I have always lived in Nhill and my answer is always three words – quality of life!”
Cr Gersch said while it was fine to identify an environment conducive to promoting businesses in the region, the concept needed a collective effort to drive the message.
“We know from experience this type of thing has to be driven,” he said.
“Things aren’t going to just happen. We also know that we’re fortunate in the north-west of the state because we can work very well in this area.”
Cr Gersch added that while international travel was unlikely to be an option into the foreseeable future, an easing of restrictions would prompt people to consider ways to escape their isolation.
“They will be looking for something different to look at and experience. There will be no better time for us to let them have a taste of what we have to offer,” he said.
The entire May 6, 2020 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!
