Forty two per cent of Territorians may not be here in two years

Forty two per cent of Territorians who have taken part in a survey to help form an NT Government population strategy don’t know if they will still be here in two years. Read the initial results from the CDU survey of why people would stay or go.

Packing up and moving back down south is a common thing in the NT

Forty two per cent of Territorians who have taken part in a survey to help form an NT Government population strategy don’t know if they will still be here in two years.

Around 62 per cent can’t say they will be here in five years.

The main reason people are considering leaving is low confidence in the Territory’s economy

That’s the chief down side from the 2,000 people surveyed so far.

The upside is that Territory’s lifestyle has been voted the best in Australia.

Sixty six per cent of people living in the Territory say they are very satisfied or satisfied about living here. And while only one in two surveyed feel extremely or very safe living in the neighbourhood, law and order did not figure prominently in the main reasons for considering leaving.

MORE ON NT POPULATION

New projects put population at 35,000 by 2046

NT population boom may not happen

NT population drops by an estimated 1000

WHY do people leave? Government needs your help

Key industry bodies say they are not surprised by the survey’s findings so far and say people responding are saying they are uncertain about their future.

Master Builders NT chief executive officer David Malone, a 40 year Territorian, said the early survey responses reinforce how crucial it is to get the Territory economy ticking along again.

“The data is not surprising at all and it would pretty much reflect what many would be hearing at barbecues or over drinks most days of the week,” Mr Malone said.

“Territorians are here for two reasons … lifestyle and jobs. They need to have both of those to stay.

“The numbers about people not sure whether they will be here in two years or five years, that’s a reflection on how tough the economy is right now. It reinforces the importance of the purpose of this CDU survey, the Government’s purpose for doing it and the role it will play in a Territory Government Population strategy.

“The responses are an honest and realistic assessment from people.

“In the end families make really incisive decisions about where their future is.

“Everyone has passion for the Territory and its lifestyle, but in the end they need a job.”

SUBSCRIPTION DEALS

OUR best value NT News subscription deal yet: $1 a week for the first 12 weeks

OR: GET earbuds worth $329 with a 12-month NT News subscription

NT Chamber of Commerce chief executive also wasn’t surprised by survey responses.

“It is still early days in the survey, but it doesn’t hold any surprises so far,” he said.

“Obviously jobs and the economic lure is very important for people. gauging by the initial responses.

“If there are jobs there, we do not find it too difficult to attract people.

“It would be great to see some more numbers to the survey.

“I’m surprised there hasn’t been more concern about crime and anti-social behaviour.”

IN OTHER NEWS

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said that early data reinforces his decision for the population strategy and he urged more Territorians to take part in the CDU survey.

“More people means more jobs, that’s why we need to increase our population,” Mr Gunner said.

“We have two challenges — to stimulate the economy to create more local jobs now and to broaden and deepen our economy so we have more permanent jobs.

“Australia’s largest prawn farm, the world’s largest solar farm, the new space base, a ship lift for Darwin and a new marine services hub — all of these projects and more create the permanent jobs that will see the Territory be strong year in and year out and grows our population.”