3218.0 - Regional Population Growth, Australia and New Zealand, 1999-2000  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 20/02/2001   
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Capital city growth continues: ABS


Growth in the capital cities accounted for most (73%) of Australia's population growth in the year to June 2000, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The publication Regional Population Growth, Australia and New Zealand (cat. no. 3218.0) contains details of population growth for individual local areas as well as State and national data.

Taken together the capital cities grew by 1.3 percent (160,200 people), while the balance of the States and Territories grew by 0.9 percent (59,600). Sydney and Melbourne experienced the largest increases (up 53,600 and 52,100 respectively), while Darwin and Brisbane experienced the fastest population increases (up 2.2 percent and 1.7 percent respectively). Hobart was the only capital city to experience decline (-0.1 percent). Capital cities were home to 64 percent of the Australian population at June 2000.

Inner areas of Australia's capital cities continued to attract residents in 1999-2000. Fastest increases were in the Statistical Local Areas (SLAs) of Fortitude Valley -Inner, in Brisbane, up 102 percent and Canberra City up 72 percent.

In New Zealand, the four cities within the Auckland region experienced the largest growth, together accounting for more than 70 percent of New Zealand's population growth.

Many of Australia's coastal regions continued to gain population during 1999-2000. Examples include Tweed, Lake Macquarie, Hastings, Shoalhaven and Port Stephens in New South Wales, and Surf Coast, Bass Coast and Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. The Gold Coast, Maroochy, Pine Rivers and Hervey Bay in Queensland and Victor Harbour in South Australia continued to grow in 1999-2000, while coastal areas of Western Australia, such as Broome and Busselton were among the fastest growing LGAs in Australia.

Australia's population increased 219,900 (or 1.2 percent) to 19.2 million during the year to June 2000, while New Zealand's population (3.8 million) grew by 20,100 at under half the Australian rate (0.5 percent).

Details are in Regional Population Growth, Australia and New Zealand (cat. no. 3218.0) available from ABS bookshops. The main features of the publication are available on this site. If you wish to purchase a copy of this publication, contact the ABS Bookshop in your capital city.


New South Wales

New South Wales experienced the largest increase in population of the States and Territories over the year (up 66,800 or 1.0 percent). Growth was mostly in metropolitan and coastal areas. Liverpool (up 6,300), and Blacktown (up 6,100) experienced the largest increases, while Broken Hill (-510) and Wagga Wagga (-470) had the largest decreases.

Statistical Clarification: Paul Molloy (02) 9268 4855


Victoria

For the second consecutive year Victoria's population growth (1.24 percent) marginally outpaced growth Australia wide (1.16 percent). Casey (up 7,700) and Melbourne (up 4,600) recorded Victoria's largest population increases, while La Trobe (-800) and Wellington (-570) had the largest decreases.

Statistical Clarification: Neil McLean (03) 9615 7350 or 0407 057 081


Queensland

Queensland experienced the fastest growth of the States and Territories in 1999-2000 (up 59,500 or 1.7 percent). The largest population increases were in Brisbane City (up 14,700) and Gold Coast City (up 13,300). Queensland's largest declines were in Rockhampton (-320) and Duaringa (-190).

Statistical Clarification: Roslyn Clark (07) 3222 6405


South Australia

South Australia's population increased 5,200 (0.4 percent) in 1999-2000. Of the 68 LGAs in South Australia, population decreases were recorded in over a third. Whyalla (-420) and Wattle Range (-190) had the largest decreases, while Onkaparinga (up 740) and Playford (up 700) had the largest increases.

Statistical Clarification: Gary Niedorfer (08) 8237 7330


Western Australia

The Western Australia population increased by 26,300 (1.4 percent), with three-quarters of this growth in Perth. Strongest growth was around the city fringe with Wanneroo up 3,600 (4.8 percent) and Swan up 2,400 (3.1 percent). Largest declines were recorded in Vincent (-410) and Geraldton (-310).

Statistical Clarification: Graham Little (08) 9360 5374


Tasmania

Tasmania was the only State or Territory to experience population decline (-400 or -0.1%) in 1999-2000, although this was the slowest decline since growth became negative in 1996-97. Hobart (-260) and Launceston (-140) experienced the largest declines, while Kingborough and Brighton recorded the largest increases (up 160 and 80 respectively).

Statistical Clarification: Chris Sweeney (03) 6222 5853


Northern Territory

The Northern Territory population increased by 2,700 (1.4 percent) and Darwin recorded the fastest population increase of all capital cities (up 2.2 percent or 2,000 people). Growth was particularly strong in the inner city areas of City - Inner (up 230 or 9.6 percent), Coconut Grove (180 or 8.0 percent), Stuart Park (210 or 6.8 percent) and Larrakeyah (210 or 6.3 percent).

Statistical Clarification: John Ulrichsen (08) 8943 2150


ACT

The population of the ACT increased by 1,500 people (0.5 percent). Gungahlin–Hall showed the strongest growth, up 1,600 people (8.9 percent). Belconnen's population increased by 340, while Tuggeranong (-230), Weston Creek-Stromlo (-250) and Woden Valley (-100) lost population during the year.

Statistical Clarification: Tracy Stewart (02) 6207 0283.