Australia: Strong Population Growth

Australia’s capital cities experienced strong population growth in the 12 months to 30 June 2007, according to population estimates released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The population growth rate for all capital cities combined in 2006-07 was the highest recorded for several years. The total population of all capital cities grew by 1.6 percent in 2006-07, compared to an average growth of just 1.3 percent for the five years to June 2007.

Melbourne experienced the largest population growth of all Australian capital cities, increasing by 61,700 people in 2006-07, followed by Sydney (52,000 people). The fastest growing capital city was Darwin (2.6 percent).

Fast growth in inner cities

The inner city of Perth was the fastest growing of all with a 9.1 percent increase in population during 2006-07. Other inner-city areas to grow significantly were Melbourne and Adelaide.

Growth along the coast

Excluding capital cities, the most prominent population growth in 2006-07 continued to be along the coast of Australia. Costal Queensland continued to experience large growth, particularly the Gold Coast.

Developments associated with the resources sector may have contributed to the four fastest growing coastal areas in Australia, these being Ravensthorpe, Capeland Broome in Western Australia and Weipa in Queensland.

State/Territory highlights

New South Wales
The state’s 2006-07 growth rate of 1.1 percent was its highest since 2000-01. Sydney grew by 52,000 people in 2006-07. Outside of Sydney, the fastest growth rates occurred along the New South Wales coast in Richmond-Tweed and Hunter.

Victoria
Melbourne’s growth of 61,700 people was the largest of all the Australian capital cities 2006-07. The fastest growing areas were Wyndham and Melton in the outer suburbs of the Melbourne and inner city Melbourne. Outside Melbourne the fastest growing areas were Surf Coast, Mitchell and Bass Coast.

Queensland
The population of Brisbane surpassed the population milestone of one million during 2006-07, to reach 1,010,000. Of all suburbs in Australia with a population greater than 2,000 as at 30 June 2006, the three fastest-growing were in Brisbane, namely Wakerley (22.0 percent), City-Inner (21.2 percent) and Griffin-Mango Hill (20.2 percent). Gold Coast recorded the largest population increase of all local areas in Australia, up 17,200 people. The mining town of Weipa continued to be Queensland’s fastest-growing non-city area.

South Australia
South Australia’s growth of 16,300 people in 2006-07 was its largest since 1974-75. The inner-city of Adelaide had the fastest population growth 2006-07. Whyalla recorded its largest annual population increase (280 people) for more than 30 years.

Western Australia
Western Australia had the fastest population growth of the states and territories of Australia in 2006-07. The inner-city of Perth had the fastest population growth in the Perth. Rapid growth in the Kimberley, Pilbara and South Eastern districts can be partly attributed to development associated with the expansion of the resources sector in these districts.

Tasmania
Tasmania’s resident population grew by 0.7 percent in 2006-07 as it had in the previous two years.
The Greater Hobart-Southern region increased its share of the state’s population, while the share in Mersey-Lyell SD continued to decline. Brighton, Sorrell and Latrobe were the fastest-growing areas in Tasmania for the second year running.

Northern Territory
Darwin was the fastest-growing capital city in Australia in 2006-07. Palmerston recorded the largest growth of all Northern Territory areas.

Australian Capital Territory
The population of the Australian Capital Territory increased by 5,600 people in 2006-07, which was its largest annual increase since 1990-91. Population growth was largest in the northern suburban fringes of Canberra, particularly in Harrison and Gungahlin.