Gladstone's population drops for the first time in ten years

New ABS figures show the devastating effect of the resources downturn on the harbour city.

DOWNTURN: ABS population figures reveal a slight drop in Gladstone's population.

THE GLADSTONE region's population fell last year for the first time in the past decade.

Figures released yesterday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed the number of people living within the boundaries of Gladstone Regional Council sat at 67,426 as of June 30 2016.

The number represents a 37-person drop from the previous year's figures.

While not a large drop, it represents a significant shift in direction for the region, which regularly added 1000 to 2000 new residents each year since at least 2006.

The population increased by 2191 people as recently as the year to June 30 2014.

Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher said the change in direction had come as a result of the resources downturn.

"Obviously we've seen the downturn of the LNG industry," Mr Butcher said.

"People left employment here and went to work on Curtis Island, and the number of workers there has dropped from 15,000 down to about 900 between the three (LNG plants).

"The first thing people do is make the decision to stay or to chase work."

Mr Butcher said given the severity of the downturn, a drop of only 37 people for the region was not as bad as it could have been.

"I'm quite surprised it is only 37 - it could have been more," he said.

"It's reassuring in the current market that that's the only drop."

Mr Butcher, the Assistant minister for Transport and Infrastructure, said the State Government was doing everything it could to facilitate growth in the region.

"We've got a huge state development area which has a few large-scale industries proposing to come," he said.

"The biggest thing we can do is give people the opportunity to come back to Gladstone and find work."

He said there were signs of population growth since the middle of last year, echoing local real estate agents who believe the real estate market has bottomed out.

"That number is the worst part but I think you'll find (the population) is increasing now," Mr Butcher said.

"We are seeing a bit of an influx of people into the town... Gladstone is one of the most affordable places in Australia to live."

Gladstone region's population history:

2006: 52,051

2007: 53,587

2008: 55,425

2009: 57,046

2010: 57,697

2011: 59,461

2012: 61,465

2013: 63,880

2014: 66,071

2015: 67,463

2016: 67,426  

Originally published as Gladstone's population drops for the first time in ten years