Page 22 - Tropic Magazine Issue 36

TROPIC • EDUCATION

1

Going regional

MIGRATION
A James Cook University
researcher is looking into
why there’s a sudden influx of
ex-urban residents in Cairns.

It’s no surprise that Cairns is now home magnified the shift of migrants to Cairns, people trying to buy houses, put their
to lots of southerners – indeed, almost there are other reasons why people are so children in schools and find work in
the whole Tropic team has moved here in inclined to move here. a region structured to support a
the past six years! The reasons why may “The pandemic, despite all its challenges, smaller population.
seem obvious: we’re a stone’s throw from provided many office workers and “The migration hype, pandemic
two World Heritage Listed areas and businesses the option to work from and relocations had a huge impact,
in a vibrant city with a relaxed lifestyle. home,” she said. “ Lots of people particularly in the real estate market,
Rana Dadpour, a PhD Candidate and embraced the situation and made their creating a sense of dissatisfaction
Researcher at JCU’s Tropical Urbanism move to regional Australia. But a regional among a number of locals in regional
and Design Lab (TUDLab), is now relocation also allows many people to areas,” she said.
gathering some data behind buy their first home, spend more time “Understanding these factors will help
the phenomenon. with their family, and enjoy the lush policy makers to consider the needs and
After living in Sydney for more than 10 environment and the natural amenities concerns of locals as well as the hopes and
years, Rana moved to Cairns with her that come with it.” expectations of new migrants.
husband and two young children. “This can allow us to bridge the gap
With an extensive background in between different groups of people by
academia, she’s now undertaking a PhD developing all-inclusive and participatory
on ‘Migration and liveability in Regional People realised that planning schemes.
Australia’. Her research project asks their quality of life can be “So far, I have met a number of new
the question: Who are those people who migrants from all walks of life, each with
move to Cairns, why did they choose it, very different depending very different backgrounds. One thing
and how can we keep them here? on where they live that has stood out to me though is that all
“My family’s move was mainly for a these people seem to be very flexible and
lifestyle change and to raise our kids in Rana Dadpour adventurous. It makes sense as it would
a less urbanised and more slow-paced JCU Researcher require a specific type of personality to
environment,” she said. “Understanding let go of the life you built somewhere and
the many factors involved in moving will The sudden wave of migration hasn’t been move to a totally new place!”
help us to provide policy makers in both all sunshine and palm trees, though. 1. Rana Dadpour. Credit: Greville Drew
national and local levels with evidence- While those moving here have found
based data and knowledge.” paradise, Rana said that locals have MORE: jcu.edu.au
Rana told Tropic that while COVID-19 struggled with the influx of extra

22 • Tropic • Issue 36