Enabling rural migrant settlement: a case study of the Limestone Coast

This report examines migrant settlement using several key themes: community services and supports; family, friends and social networks; employment and industry; settlement intentions, and future mobility patterns. Results show that the Limestone Coast region is a prime example of how state and federal resources, combined with local community groups and supportive local councils can create positive experiences in times of rapid population change. While there are many examples of how different businesses and industries, community groups, schools and churches or individuals have worked to create a positive experience for new migrants in the region it is perhaps the ability of these organisations to work together through the Local Area Committees (LACs) that has proven to be an effective tool in coordinating support and identifying the gaps in service for new migrants. Local Government and the Migrant Resource Centre SA have been two of the driving forces behind this effort in the Limestone Coast. In particular, the role of Local Government in creating an atmosphere of welcome and acceptance for new migrants across this region is of critical importance to achieving positive community outcomes for both new migrants and the wider community. Executive Summary The aim of this project, funded by the Local Government Association of SA, was to achieve a better understanding of the role local government can play in the successful settlement of new migrants in rural and regional South Australia. Of particular interest to this study were the settlement experiences of immigrants in non-metropolitan areas; which are likely to be different to those of migrants settling in large urban environments. The study concentrates on four non- metropolitan Local Government Areas in the Limestone Coast region of South Australia: Mt Gambier, Grant, Naracoorte-Lucindale and Tatiara. The report provides some background to the role immigration can play in nonmetropolitan regions and examines some of the direct and indirect outcomes for local communities and for migrants themselves.

Dr Helen Feist, Dr George Tan, Dr Kelly McDougall, Professor Graeme Hugo