COFFS Harbour’s population could increase by 34 per cent, adding more than 27,000 people and significantly increasing the region’s scale and economic importance, according to a new report from the Regional Australia Institute (RAI).
The ‘Regional Population Planning’ report claims that regional Australia could grow by 6.2 million people by 2050.
This is more than two and a half times its current share of national growth, and would ease pressure on housing, transport and infrastructure in Australia’s biggest cities.
“Current government projections assume that four in five of the 13.4 million additional Australians expected over the next 40 years will settle in our capital cities,” said RAI CEO, Liz Ritchie.
“Rather than planning for ever-larger capital cities and a future dominated by megacities, we should be looking at the regional communities that are actively calling for more people and more investment.
“That is millions more people living, working and investing in regional communities, while taking pressure off housing, infrastructure and services in our stretched capital cities.”
She said this meant building more homes, more services and more infrastructure – the foundations regional communities needed to grow sustainably and welcome the people who wanted to live, work and invest there.
“Essentially, we need a national regional population settlement strategy and plan that identifies where
future population growth can best support the sustainable growth of regional Australia,” she said.
“That means rebalancing future settlement towards regional cities and towns with strong growth potential, while
recognising that every region is different and has its own needs, challenges and opportunities.”
The City of Coffs Harbour’s planning for the future is under the umbrella of the NSW Government’s ‘North Coast Regional Plan 2041’.
The plan estimates a population of 97,440 people by 2040, requiring almost 13,000 new homes, mainly infill in Coffs Harbour and at Woolgoolga, Moonee Beach, Toormina and Sapphire Beach.
Planning identifies the need to protect high-value environmental land and agricultural land, biodiverity, coastal environments and waterways, creating issues for further development.
“Regional Australia is home to more than 10 million people, but growth is not being experienced evenly,” Ms Ritchie said.
“While some regions are thriving, others are grappling with ageing populations, population decline and persistent workforce shortages.
“Our research shows migration and internal movers are helping regional communities buck those trends by bringing people of working age into communities that need them most, supporting local economies and helping to keep essential services running.
“From healthcare workers and teachers to engineers, tradespeople, farm workers and hospitality staff, migrants and internal movers are filling critical workforce gaps while bringing new skills, businesses and vibrancy to the towns and regions they call home.”
RAI’s Regional Population Planning report can be found at www.regionalaustralia.org.au
By Andrew VIVIAN
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