Census data over past decade shows regional South Australia hit hardest by population decline
AS DEBATE rages about how to handle immigration in Australia, Census data commissioned by The Advertiser shows which council areas have seen a decline in population — and where different migrant groups are settling. CHECK OUT THE DATA
- Push for SA to get priority processing for skilled migrants
- Youth exodus worries most South Aussies
- Premier to lure skilled migrants
READ BELOW: Case study — The town that needs migrants
REGIONAL parts of South Australia have seen drops in population of up to almost 20 per cent, new analysis shows.
As debate rages in Canberra about how to handle immigration in Australia, Census data, commissioned by The Advertiser, shows every council area that has seen a decline in population in the past decade is in regional or remote South Australia.
The figures show almost a third — 22 of 69 — local government areas in SA saw a decrease in people between 2006 and 2016.
Council areas that saw a decline ranged from Port Augusta — which lost .48 per cent of its population — to Robe, on the Limestone Coast, which lost 19.04 per cent of its people, from 1702 residents to 1378.
INTERACTIVE MAP: CHANGING FACE OF YOUR COUNCIL’S POPULATION
Australian Hospitality Association SA General Manager Ian Horne told The Advertiser businesses in regional areas have been hit hard by declining populations.
“Skill shortages are an increasing and a real problem in South Australia, but becoming chronic in many rural and regional areas,” Mr Horne said. “Declining or static population caused by farming consolidation, centralisation of services in fewer regional centres and an ageing demographic means businesses, particularly in hospitality services and the visitor economy, are needing to rely heavily on workers like backpackers.
“This does nothing for creating and retaining skills or the ability to deliver on services to a standard expected by current travellers an locals.”
He said regional businesses had the same overhead costs of city businesses, without the same numbers of customers.
Mr Horne’s call came as industry groups, representing local government, business, agriculture, tourism and horticulture, met this week to discuss a skilled migration plan finetuned for SA.
Earlier this week The Advertiser revealed SA’s Trade Minister David Ridgway flew to Canberra on Monday to discuss a specialised program for SA with federal ministers for immigration, David Coleman, and population, Alan Tudge.
Mr Ridgway suggested to the pair skilled migrants who wanted to live and work in regional SA should get priority processing.
Analysis shows towns such as Murray Bridge and Mt Gambier, which have embraced migrants in the past, have managed to grow their populations.
Mt Gambier Mayor Andrew Lee told The Advertiser he would welcome a change in skilled migration criteria.
“Without population increases, we simply cannot grow,” Mr Lee said.
“I am a first generation migrant myself, from Hong Kong.
“If they can lower the bar to stay in regional areas across Australia everyone benefits.
“The first year or two is the hardest but then you fall in love with this country.
“I love this country.”
Property Council SA Executive Director Daniel Gannon said SA’s regions were the engine room of the state’s economy.
“If we can’t retain and deliver people to our regions, then it increases the risk that South Australia’s economy will face duress as a result of low population growth,” Mr Gannon said.
“South Australia has seen a bleeding of people and talent for too long.
“In light of this latest data, it’s time to stop the exodus from the bush.”
Local Government Association President Sue Clearihan said vibrant and prosperous regions were vital to SA’s economic future, but this required an influx of workers.
“However, many of our regional cities and towns are crying out for more people — especially skilled and semi-skilled workers,” Ms Clearihan said.
The LGA SA want the State Government to develop a Strategic Population Policy.
CASE STUDY
THE TOWN THAT NEEDS MIGRANTS
By Matt Smith
MURRAY BRIDGE Mayor Brenton Lewis has one message for politicians who want to encourage more migrants to settle in his town: “We can’t get enough of them.”
Mr Lewis says his town has benefited enormously from migrants calling the region home.
His call comes as the Federal Government considers special visa conditions that would encourage skilled migrants to settle in regional centres of South Australia.
Murray Bridge has a higher percentage of people born overseas living in the town than at any time in its history.
In 2006 1803 residents were born overseas — 10.2 per cent of the town’s population.
By 2016 it had increased to 14.7 per cent, or 3066, of the town’s residents.
Like most parts of SA, people born in the United Kingdom, make up the highest percentage of residents born overseas (671).
And the council area boasts a large percentage of Italians, who have been in the region for decades.
However, in more recent years, residents from countries including Vietnam, India and China have grown steadily.
“We love migrants, we cannot get enough of them,” Mr Lewis told The Advertiser.
“I swore in 200 of them last year.
“They love to go to go to work, they love the opportunities afforded to them.
“We have been able to attract a skilled workforce that is prepared to work,”
Mr Lewis said most of the recent arrivals were working in the local Thomas Foods abattoir.
“We do have high unemployment in the town,” Mr Lewis said.
“We have a social dilemma where we are not able to encourage enough of our locally grown people to pick up the work in the food industry.”