Central Coast leaders call for expanded migrant support as arrival numbers surge

Senior officials and community leaders across Central Coast are sounding alarm bells about the city's preparedness to support a projected influx of migrants and refugees over the next two years, with calls for significant investment in housing, language services and employment pathways.

Speaking at a forum organised by the Central Coast Multicultural Council last week, representatives from the Department of Community Integration and local government outlined the scale of the challenge. The city has experienced a 34 percent increase in humanitarian visa applications over the past eighteen months, with officials projecting the trend will continue through 2027.

"We're seeing unprecedented demand across every support service," said a spokesperson for the city's Settlement Services Division during the public consultation process. "Housing availability on the eastern side of the city—particularly around Harborview and the Riverside districts—has become critically constrained, with rental costs climbing an average of 18 percent since early 2025."

The Central Coast Housing Alliance has specifically flagged the need for 1,200 additional affordable units, with particular focus on family-sized accommodation. Current inventory in key arrival neighborhoods like Millbrook and North Ridge falls 340 units short of demand, according to preliminary assessments shared with the council.

Language and skills training emerged as a second critical priority. Directors at the Civic Learning Center and Peninsula Adult Education Institute emphasized gaps in English-language programming, particularly in specialized sectors including healthcare, construction and hospitality—industries that have historically welcomed Central Coast migrants.

"We have the infrastructure, but we lack the funding to expand hours and add instructors," explained a Centre director during recent city council budget hearings. "We're operating at 94 percent capacity, turning away qualified applicants weekly."

Employment services agencies also flagged credential recognition as a bottleneck. Professionals from medicine, engineering and education sectors frequently encounter barriers translating overseas qualifications into Central Coast-recognized certifications, leaving skilled workers underemployed.

Community organizations including the Central Coast Refugee Action Network and Harmony Collective have welcomed the heightened attention, though advocates stressed the need for sustained, multi-year funding commitments rather than annual allocations that create planning uncertainty.

The city's Economic Development Authority is expected to present a comprehensive integration strategy to council by late September, with budget implications likely to feature prominently in 2027 fiscal planning discussions.

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