Australian cities urged to plan for growth of overseas arrivals

by Ray Clancy on August 22, 2013

in Australia Immigration

Australian cities urged to plan for growth of overseas arrivals

Overseas migration accounts for half of the population growth rate in Australia with population expansion in major cities outstripping the national average. It means that cities need good planning in terms of managing this growth and helping to ensure that services can cope with the number of newcomers from abroad, according to the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA).

In a new report it 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 that the 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,’ she explained. ‘The migration data in this report is invaluable and can inform the best possible planning decisions for our cities,’ she added.

Quote from AustraliaForum.com : “Just wondering after my wife’s visa is granted will she have to send her passport to Washington? As she is currently in the process of changing her name on documents. Just wondering if the passport can wait so we have it if needed to be sent.”

 

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

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,’ she added. She also pointed out that support for these initiatives is essential from all sides. ‘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,’ she said.

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 programme.

 

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