14-07-2022
The 2021 Census data, which was released in the last week of June, provides some very positive information regarding the Upper Lachlan Shire according to General Manager Colleen Worthy.
Mrs Worthy said the Census showcased some encouraging trends for the Shire.
“One of the most pleasing takeaways from the 2021 census figures is the increase in population in the five years since the 2016 census,” she said.
“The population of the Upper Lachlan Shire has grown from 7,695 to 8,514, or 10.64%, in that period, which exceeds the ABS projection of 8,419. That increase also exceeds the population growth of neighbouring Councils Hilltops (3.52%), Yass Valley (7.06%), and Goulburn Mulwaree (8.25%) as well as the State (3.52%) and National increase (8.64%).
There have been many reports of record amounts of property sales and an increase in tree-changers as a result of the pandemic but I think those figures show that our Shire has done particularly well,” she said.
Mrs Worthy said that, while there isn’t a direct correlation between population increase and an increase in ratepayers, the increase almost certainly translates into more residents and potential for more business and a healthier local economy.
A deeper dive into the Shire’s population growth identifies which villages have experienced the greatest growth.
“Our southernmost villages, Gunning (24.43%), Collector (20.13%) and Dalton (17.95%), have experienced the most growth and only two villages, Taralga (-13.70%) and Grabben Gullen (-1.98%) have experienced a population decrease,” Mrs Worthy said.
“The Southern end of the Shire may appeal to Canberra Commuters, or may just have presented a more rural option for Yass and Goulburn home buyers.”
Mrs Worthy said many statistics had to be read in conjunction with other statistics for a complete interpretation.
“Our median monthly repayments weekly rents are lower than the state and national average, but then our weekly median weekly household income is slightly lower,” she said.
“We’ll comb through the statistics and there will be information there that may assist our ongoing planning and strategies but I think population growth alone is a very promising trend for the Shire.”
