RUPANYUP grain farmer David Matthews believes sensible immigration policy is a key component in addressing the Wimmera’s long-term population challenge.

Mr Matthews sponsored an Indian mechanic to work for his company in 2013 and currently employs Columbian-born Guillermo Sierra Cespedes.

Mr Matthews said though the logistical hurdles involved were staggering, they were worth it because the workers and their families would contribute to the region for generations.

He said he was dismayed some politicians wanted to reduce Australia’s immigration intake, and this was driven by congestion issues in Melbourne and Sydney.

“Governments will never be able to keep up with the infrastructure demands of a rapidly-growing city – Melbourne will slowly choke,” he said.

“Melbourne has too many people, the Wimmera too few.

“There are many towns like Rupanyup across regional Australia that are great communities and great places to live, but their existence is threatened by stagnant or declining population.

“The debate at this point in Australia’s development shouldn’t be about population size, it should be about population distribution.”

Mr Matthews said whenever he raised the issue with city-based colleagues, their response was always, ‘There are no jobs in the country’.

“They are wrong, he said.

“Our farm business employed Guillermo – a vet – under a regional immigration program.

“He had been working as a casual employee in the kitchen of a pub in Melbourne for two years and was studying agronomy.

“Guillermo didn’t realise there were good jobs in the country. He moved to Rupanyup, bought a house, and he and Magda and their children have just become Australian citizens.”

Mr Matthews said slowing Australia’s immigration intake was a short-sighted idea that did not consider the needs of rural and regional areas.

“Well-managed immigration policy is an essential contributor to the social economic wellbeing of places like the Wimmera,” he said.

“We want more people like Magda and Guillermo to come and live, work and play in our towns.

“But we need our politicians to develop and implement policy that encourages people to move beyond the city limits.

“This is one of those rare occasions where everyone can win – reduced pressure on city infrastructure, new people and skills into regional areas, and a great environment to live for people who want to make Australia their home.”