The city was highlighted in the Regional Australia Institute’s policy paper, which argues the government should support rural migration to help stop population decline and fill workforce shortages.

Cr Murray said Tamworth was reaping the rewards from the “significant number of professional and highly-skilled migrants” who had made the city their home in recent years.

“From the day they step foot in our city they add value,” Cr Murray said.

“They are almost instantly highly regarded in the community and valued as local citizens.”

Related article: How to end regional population decline through rural migration

He said rural migration was a significant opportunity for regional communities to “fill any gaps and weaknesses”.

“There are so many small communities suffering from different skills shortages,” he said.

“In some of the mining areas, many of the engineers, electricians and mechanics were taken out of the normal business mix, so there are significant opportunities there.

“There are many types of health specialist vacancies as well.”

Related article: Migrant workers for small towns a no-brainer

Cr Murray said much of the success was due to entirely local-led initiatives, and stressed the need for the city’s migration to remain community driven.

“Multicultural Tamworth has really taken a leadership position with those migrant families, and helped them integrate in to the community,” he said.

“They give them a sense of welcome, which is a precursor to a sense of belonging, which is what makes them want to stick around.”

Our say: Rural Australia Institute rural migration policy a winner for everybody

Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said while there was no simple solution to population decline and workforce shortages, rural migration was part of the answer.

“We’ve got to get the balance right, each town has its individual and unique challenges,” Mr Anderson said.

“I think we will always have workforce shortages. To have migrants come and fill those positions is a matter for companies to decide.

“Opportunities always exist and if migrants choose to come here seeking a better life, and they’re skilled in a particular field, they will be absolutely welcomed.”