By Capricorn Enterprise CEO Mary Carroll
Population growth hotspots can now be identified faster than ever in Australia, with the Regional Movers Index, developed by the Regional Australia Institute (RAI) in partnership with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA).
In the latest report, the Capricorn Coast (Livingstone Shire) topped the list in the Top Five LGAs: greatest growth in net inflows from capitals.
It saw a near six-fold increase in net migration inflows from the capitals in the 12 months to March 2023.
Rockhampton retained its third spot in the Top Five LGAs: greatest growth in net inflows from regions with net regional inflows around two and a half times higher in the 12 months to March 2023.
The Regional Movers Index presents fresh analysis of movements between Australia’s regions and capital cities.
The Index updates the trend identified in the RAI’s 2019 Big Movers report – that in recent decades more people have been moving from Australia’s capital cities to regions than in the opposite direction.
The Index is powered by CBA data from relocations amongst its 16 million customers.
Quarterly and annual changes are presented in the index.
This Index is an invaluable resource for both the public and private sectors.
By tracking people movements, it enables early identification of growth trends, and flags places emerging as hot spots needing fresh thinking on housing and infrastructure.
One great example of developers meeting the needs of this residential demand, is the Cerulean Estate in Yeppoon, with it’s first release ‘Seabright’ boasting 25 level allotments ranging from 714sqm – 916sqm expected to be registered and ready to build on in October. The boutique Estate will also feature a nature based childcare centre by Coastal Kids, supporting the need for increased childcare facilities on the Capricorn Coast.
The developers of Cerulean are behind delivering over $200 million worth of residential projects across the region including Salt Yeppoon, Empire Apartment Hotel, The Gallery Apartments in Rockhampton, as well as development partners on many other notable projects.
Many people who move our region, have often visited friends and relatives, or held their holiday here and decided to return permanently.
Our visitor numbers most definitely reflect that trend.
The Capricorn region which includes the three precincts of Capricorn Coast, Rockhampton region and Central Queensland Highlands, welcomed 1,245,000 visitors who stayed 4,582,000 nights to the year ending December 2022.
This represented an annual growth of 12.5 per cent and 28.2 per cent respectively compared to the previous year to December 2021. Visitor Expenditure of $973 Million to the year ending December 2022 increased by 52.8 per cent from the previous year (2021) and 57.8 per cent compared to 2019. Source: Tourism Research Australia NVS.
Until next time…