A new report has revealed country health and other services are expected to come under renewed pressure because regional areas are undergoing a population boom.
The ANZ Bank’s Rural and Regional Report has found rural areas are growing at a faster rate than major cities for the first time in many years.
But it also shows the growth is in those who are aged over 40, which is likely to put pressure on health and aged services in years to come.
The bank’s senior economist, Mark Rodriguez, says people are leaving the rat race as they near retirement.
"The affordability of housing would be a key driver of that trend. We also see that as people get older they are looking for a sea change or a tree change," he said.