FIGURES released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) last Friday, 30 August show that the Armidale Dumaresq LGA has grown to 25,278 people with an increase in population of 1003 over the five years at a rate of 4.1 percent, the biggest mover across the Northern Tablelands.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall welcomed the ABS report, Regional Population Growth, which showed the electorate had seen a growth rate of 2.8 per cent across the board over the last five-year period 30 June 2007 to 30 June 2012 – an increase of 2056 people.
“Given the difficult economic times the region has faced in the last few years, 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 those which are not, aren’t too far off the pace.”
Inverell (16,660) wasn’t far behind Armidale with 687 new residents at 4.3 per cent growth.
Uralla (6281) had by far and away the best growth rate with a huge 5.9 per cent increase over the five years, just behind that of Tamworth with six percent. Uralla added 351 people to its community.
Guyra (4552), boosted by a surge in housing development linked to the Costa Group’s tomato farm, grew by 5.3 per cent with 228 extra people. Tenterfield (6996) also experienced good growth with an increase in population of 265 residents, representing growth of 3.9 per cent.
Mr Marshall said it wasn’t all good news however, with the ABS figures showing that Glen Innes (8,881), Walcha (3,088) and Gwydir (5111) LGAs suffered a slight population decline over the period.
The tough times on the land shone through in Walcha and Gwydir LGA’s figures. Walcha lost 122 people or 3.8 percent of its population between 2007 and 2012 while Gwydir saw its population decline by 196 or 3.7 percent. Gwydir showed signs of arresting this trend however with slight positive growth in the year 2011/12
“This is not too dissimilar to other parts of rural NSW where population decline is still occurring, but I’m pleased to say that the overall figures for the region are extremely positive,” Mr Marshall said.
“These figures highlight the need to continue to promote country NSW and support initiatives that help people and businesses to relocate and help existing business and industry to grow.”
