ADAM Marshall said he was delighted to see Moree Plains arrest its previous population decline and show an upswing in the last five years.
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Moree Plains added 21 people to the community, a growth of 0.15 per cent.
Figures released recently by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) confirm that the overwhelming majority of communities in the Northern Tablelands are growing, and some quite rapidly.
The report, Regional Population Growth, shows population changes over the five-year period from June 30, 2010, to June 30, last year.
A very pleased Mr Marshall welcomed the report, which showed that the electorate had seen an overall growth rate of 1.33 per cent – an increase of 1066 residents.
“Given the difficult economic times the region has faced in the last few years and the lack of growth generally across country NSW, these figures are very impressive and pleasing,” Mr Marshall said.
“A number of communities are growing at better than the New England North West average and streaks ahead of the trend across country NSW – even those that are not, aren’t too far off the pace.
“These results show the strong resilience of our Northern Tablelands communities and the trends bode well for the future.”
These figures are very impressive and pleasing.
- Adam Marshall
It wasn’t all good news however, with the ABS figures showing that Gwydir Shire (5068) suffered a slight drop in population.
Gwydir lost 63 people (1.23 per cent) over the period.
“This is not too dissimilar to other parts of rural NSW where population decline is still occurring, but I am very pleased to say that the overall figures for Northern Tablelands are extremely positive,” Mr Marshall said.
“A growing region will attract better services, new employment opportunities and greater investment.
“These figures highlight the need to continue to promote country NSW and what is has to offer and to support government and non-government initiatives that help people and businesses relocate and assist existing business and industry to grow.
“With a census to be taken in August this year, the next population data to be released in March 2017 will prove interesting to see how much communities across the region have grown in actual terms from 2011 through to 2016.”
