Why do people leave the NT? NT Government needs your help

RESEARCHERS from Charles Darwin University are undertaking a critical population survey — the biggest ever undertaken in the NT — to find out what drives people out of the Territory and what it will take to attract new residents

Aerial photo looking over The Esplanade at the Darwin city skyline.

RESEARCHERS from Charles Darwin University are undertaking a critical population survey — the biggest ever undertaken in the NT — to find out what drives people out of the Territory and what it will take to attract new residents.

Past, present and potential Territorians are being targeted in the survey, which help inform the Government’s population strategy.

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Chief Minister Michael Gunner wants to understand why people leave the NT

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said his Government wanted to understand the drivers of NT population change.

In the year to September 2018, the NT’s population is estimated to have declined by 0.2 per cent against a national growth of 1.6 per cent.

Mr Gunner said the CDU work would help the Government better understand what made people want to move here, stay here or decide to leave.

That information will be used to devise strategies that ultimately increase the Territory’s population.

CDU’s Northern Institute demographer, Dr Andrew Taylor said the research would run over two years and involve collecting and analysing a range of information. SUPPLIED

CDU’s Northern Institute demographer Andrew Taylor said the research would run over two years and involve collecting and analysing a range of information.

Dr Taylor said the research would help develop policies and initiatives to turn around current population trends.

He said a growing population is a vital element to the NT’s economic stability.

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A big part of the research is an online survey, gathering information on what people like about living in the Territory and what they don’t like, what encourages them to stay or consider leaving, as well as asking questions on how connected they feel to their community.

“We need Territorians to get behind this survey so it provides factual information on what motivates our population and generates additional initiatives that can be used to help grow the Territory,” he said.

“We need as many people as possible to participate and to share the survey with family and friends.

“The Territory and Me survey can be found at theterritoryandme.cdu.edu.au”