Migration Driving Cities Growth

Overseas migration accounts for half of the population growth rate in Australia with population
expansion in our major cities outstripping the national average.

The Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) says the key finding in a new report highlights the
importance of good planning in managing growth and determining settlement patterns across the
country.

The population and settlement data is outlined in the latest report State of Australian Cities 2013,
the fourth in a series of documents designed to present a comprehensive picture of how Australian
cities are evolving.

PIA Chief Executive Officer, Kirsty Kelly said the State of Australian Cities publications contain
invaluable information for planning and policy decisions.

“These reports are a pulse check on the trends and growth patterns in our major cities and they
attract overwhelming interest from both the planning fraternity and the general public,” Ms Kelly
said.

“The migration data in this report is invaluable and can inform the best possible planning decisions
for our cities.”

The latest edition includes data from the second tranche of the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2011
Census of Population and Housing which has an emphasis on migration, industry structure and
human capital.

The report shows that in the 2011-2012 year the larger capitals grew almost 50% faster than the
rest of the country.

Sydney’s growth rate, however was below the national average but was due to overseas migrants
taking the place of significant numbers of residents who left the city.

Ms Kelly said the Federal Government is to be congratulated on the way it has monitored the
progress of Australian Cities since the benchmark report was first released in March 2010.

“Good planning decisions need the latest data and the State of Australian Cities reports are
essential tools in the development of planning policy.”

The State of Australian Cities 2013 was released today by Deputy Prime Minister Anthony
Albanese at a function in Sydney hosted by the Tourism and Transport Forum. Mr Albanese also
released a ministerial statement called Walking Riding and access to Public Transport.

Ms Kelly said PIA is proud to see the Australian Government make the commitment to work with
stakeholders to improve transport planning.

“I congratulate the Government for picking up on the key findings of the Moving Australia 2030
report that included a significant PIA contribution.

“The importance of bipartisan support for these initiatives is essential if we are to have real
outcomes. The focus on transport planning and the value of integrated land use are key factors in
achieving healthy communities and decent productivity in our cities.

”PIA has worked with the National Heart Foundation, the Department of Health and Ageing and the
Australian Local Government Association to create the Healthy Places and Spaces program.

“The Walking, Riding and Public Transport statement recognises this work and the Government
makes the commitment to work with stakeholders to implement such programs.”

( http://www.planning.org.au/documents/item/5343 )
( http://www.planning.org.au/documents/item/5344 )
PIA Chief Executive Officer, Kirsty Kelly