The criticism comes following reports the federal government plans to encourage migrants out to regional areas, with the mayor and the president of the Business Chamber hitting back at suggestions there is no money in state and federal budgets to add to infrastructure to make this happen.

Federal Assistant Immigration Minister Alex Hawke said the move was a “key priority” for the Turnbull government this week as a means to ease Sydney’s escalating housing crisis.

Mr Hawke said the government would be working with its state and local counterparts to see what might attract migrants to their areas, identifying Goulburn and the Central Coast as points of interest.

But Griffith Mayor John Dal Broi said the government needed to look further beyond if they wanted to see real change, saying Griffith council has been pushing the concept for years.

“In reality, these places are only two hours from Sydney and are already populated, why don’t we look at more regional areas that need the population boost?” he said.

Cr Dal Broi said Griffith already had the jobs and opportunities needed, brushing off the idea there was no money in the bank for further investment.

“I get a bit annoyed at government ministers when they try to fob it off – they really need to come up with some money to assist us to build infrastructure,” he said.

The mayor’s calls for further infrastructure investment were seconded by president of the Griffith Business Chamber Paul Pierotti who said the city needed a boost in health, education, transport and communication.

“These are obligations of the state and federal governments and they should be doing it anyway,” he said.

With many cities in regional areas likely to be considered for such a move, both Mr Pierotti and Cr Dal Broi said Griffith was an ideal location due to a proven history of overall cultural harmony and could continue to set an example for the nation in embracing cultures.

“We are a proven success story in multiculturalism, and I think that can only get better,” Mr Pierotti said.

Both men identified Griffith as being in the midst of a housing crisis, but were confident this would be resolved in time to meet demand.