Promote regional growth

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to more people thinking about resettling outside Australia's Fast-growing Cities. This may add momentum to pre-pandemic growth rates (see Figure 4.6).

Further government investment in Smaller Cities and Regional Centres as locations that support new economic activities and lifestyles will capitalise on this interest.

Providing better local public transport and active travel choices will make these destinations more accessible to local people and those from nearby Rural Communities. It will also strengthen their viability as regional passenger rail nodes.

Figure 4.6: Regionalisation can be accelerated with better connectivity

Comparative population growth in Fast-growing Cities versus Regional Centres within 300 km of a capital city, 2008-2018

Note: Regional Centres are selected Significant Urban Areas (as defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics) within 300 km of each state capital. The population growth percentages for Regional Centres are an average of the population growth percentages for each centre.

Source: Infrastructure Australia analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics data (2019)24