Queensland Australia as a Migrant Destination
Queensland, the North Eastern Australian State, is known for it’s tropical rain forests, national parks, wildlife, BBQ’s and the late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin. More recently however, the State has been noted for attracting the attention of migrants. South East Queensland is the second fastest growing region in the western world. Today, on average 2000 new comers arrive in Brisbane, the state capital, each week.
Moreton Island, Queensland
For us; myself, husband and 2 boys, the city still feels relatively quiet. Four years ago this month, we uprooted and took on the challenge of moving from Switzerland to Australia. I am English and my husband French, our boys Australian.
Having gained a skilled migrant visa we came in search of a real change and so we headed away from Sydney and Melbourne to Tropical Brisbane. It is easy to see why Brisbane appeals to immigrants and inter-state movers alike. The city offers simplistic living and warm weather for 9 months of the year. After 18 months researching and adjusting to our new life we bought a renovators delight and started to set up home.
Given the latest statistics in population growth, we were not alone. With this surge, Brisbane, the easy going big old country town is being pushed to change and transform into a trendy happening City. Locally, this dramatic growth spurt has come with one or two problems least of all some dismay and reluctance from its long standing residents.
Has anybody seen any rain?
I’m not joking! The state water supply is at an all time low due to an ongoing drought. Typically the summer months (January-March) bring heavy rain and this replenishes the dams. The dams are currently the only source to supply the city and suburbs with fresh water. However, the last two years we have been dry summers and there really hasn’t been any rain.
Currently at a government, council, business and individual level there is an urgent need to ensure we don’t run out of drinking water. During the coming months and the official plans are two fold: one is build more dams so that when it does rain, more water is caught. The other is to recycle and purify existing waste water….the debate as to whether to do the later is fierce. In spite of purifying water techniques being common practice worldwide, locally the idea meets much opposition.
On a very individual basis we have a ‘level 5’ water restriction. That is to say, there is a ration of 140 liters of water per person per day. “Please explain” letters are sent out with water bills if a family exceeds the limit and fines are getting tougher. The 140 liters of water ration comes with suggestions of how to save water using water saving devices; fixed to taps, toilets etc to basic household vigilance and thought out economics.
Rain water tanks are becoming common place in residential gardens. Linked up to the roof down pipe they catch any winter rain that may come and this is used to help to keep the gardens alive. In spite of what sounds like drastic measures we’ve found it very possible to bath, wash and clean ourselves, clothes and house without exceeding the limits so far. We have also found that the native Australian garden plants are very hardy and drought resistant as you’d expect.
Expanding the Infrastructure
A further current debate is how to best improve the local infrastructure to cope with the population boom. The city council is working like mad to reduce city center traffic congestion. Public transport and roads are in a constant state of being up graded and neighborhood planning is at full tilt. With the necessary expansion of bus and bike ways, car parks around major shopping areas and train lines there has been and continues to be care taken to preserve and protect the things most loved: green open spaces and park lands.
What is probably worth knowing, is that commuting is a relatively new concept to Brisbane. Many like to cycle or drive to work and there isn’t a metro or subway in the city center. The big push is really to encourage more use of commuter car parks thus traveling to work by train and buses. The plan is to have the current lines extended with improved service. For us, who are used to commuting and live not to far from buses and a train station, the congestion really hasn’t been a problem.
Balancing the cost of living
Over the past 4 years we’ve also noticed an increase in the cost of living. Typically Australia as a nation has a reputation for being reasonable if not a cheap country to live in. However, there has been a gradual increase in the price of groceries, fuel, houses and interest rates. Since local salaries haven’t as yet increased to help bridge the gap this does leave many new comers and Australians struggling to maintain the status quo.
Not only are house prices steadily rising but there is also a shortage of accommodation. In some suburbs, renters and house buyers need to out bid each other to secure a place to live. Houses bought at auctions are selling at an all time high and real estate agents are kept busy. Whilst this brings with it good cheer to home owners there is dismay for their children and current renters wanting to buy. One known Australian dream is the opportunity for everyone to buy and own their own home. This ideal is barely within grasp but to help ensure the market stables, the council and government plans to build an extra 145 000 homes over the next 20 years and release more land for building.
Our Move...
Before Australia we were apartment living professionals with a healthy disposable income to invest but nowhere to buy. We had stability but very little time or energy for any leisure pursuits or a family. This drew us to make the break and leave behind all that we knew and loved about Europe. Giving up our home, family and friends we decided to come to the land reputed for space, home ownership, safety and quality time.
Now we are home owners living less than an hour door to door from work. Living beside the sea our life includes a family of two small children, friends, neighbors, outdoor activities and some energy to get out and about at the weekend and for holidays.
In spite of Brisbane’s growth issues, there is still a need for skilled workers, particularly in healthcare, tourism and business. Recruiters are concerned that the state is being held back due to shortages of staff. All in all Brisbane is still a tropical coastal relaxed city with a lifestyle.
