Wagga could see higher migrant intake as new migrants to be forced to live outside Sydney and Melbourne

Under the proposal, migrants will be only granted visas on the condition that they settle outside the major population centres of Sydney and Melbourne.

Population and Urban Infrastructure Minister Alan Tudge told ABC Breakfast the key issue is the distribution of the growth rather than the growth number. 

However, Bernadette Kelly, a lifelong member and the driving force behind setting up the council, said it needs to be a targeted settlement program. 

“If they want to settle migrants in the regional areas, they need to equally ensure they have the proper infrastructure for them to successfully settle,” she said.

Ms Kelly said this involved setting up programs for skills accreditation and recognition of existing qualifications.

“At the moment I don’t know that there is anything here in a place like Wagga that would be able to help people do that and you wouldn’t want them having to go back to Sydney,” she said. 

Ms Kelly said on a broader scale, they need to ensure they are not isolating families but settling groups to allow them to form a support system. 

“There will need to be English as second language classes for children coming in,” she said. 

“There are some schools in Wagga who do have them, but if they’re looking at more numbers they need to ensure children have access to language development.” 

Ms Kelly said the government also needs to ensure that hospitals and GP clinics are equipped with resources and information to ensure migrants are able to access medical treatment. 

Wagga mayor Greg Conkey said he welcomed the announcement, but would like to know more details about the proposal. 

“We're a very proud multicultural city and we have 112 nationalities represented,” he said.

“Rural and regional areas do have the capacity to accommodate extra people, but there would be some issues surrounding infrastructure – depending on the intake.” 

While you’re with us, did you know that you can now receive updates straight to you inbox each day at 6am from the Daily Advertiser? To make sure you’re up to date with all the Wagga news sign up here.