25 October 2013
“18,400 people migrated from NSW to other states in 2012 with many leaving due to the lack of affordable housing supply” says the Urban Taskforce.
“Recent figures from the Department of Planning and Infrastructure indicate that a growing number of people are leaving NSW each year presumably due to the lack of housing supply.” says Urban Taskforce CEO Chris Johnson ” “The 18,400 people who left NSW in the year up to June 2012 is 4,900 more than the previous year.”
“The data is from the department’s recently released Population Bulletin No 16 which also indicates that the state’s population increased by 57,500 people through overseas migration and by 43,500 people through natural increases (births minus deaths) before the out migration reduces the increase to 82,600 people.”
“The people leaving NSW seem to be going to Queensland with 12,000 interstate arrivals and Western Australia with 11,000 and Victoria receiving 1,200 extra people. NSW is by far the worst performing large state in terms of retention of its population.”
“ABS figures show that the NSW natural annual population increase has remained around 40,000 people for the last 40 years and that out migration to other states has been around 20,000 people with overseas migration varying from 10,000 to 80,000 people.”
“The Department of Planning’s data indicates that the latest age group that leaves NSW is the 25 to 35 year olds who are likely to be trying to find affordable housing as they settle down to raise a family.”
“The NSW Government must undertake further research into why NSW continually looses so many people each year. This out migration is why NSW only grew by 1.1% in 2012 while Victoria grew at 1.6%; Queensland grew at 2.0% and Western Australia at 3.4%. NSW is losing its Number One status as other states promote themselves as being the place to “Grow a Business.”
“The most fundamental difference between the states with faster growing populations and NSW would appear to be the poor record on housing supply where Sydney housing is still running at 10,000 less homes than are needed. And this is based on the out migration continuing at around 20,000 people a year. If this is neutralized to a breakeven point then NSW will need yet another 10,000 new houses a year.”
To see bulletin No 16 click here
