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Population Growth More Good News For LatrobeEstimates released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics recently show that Latrobe City’s population increased by over 500 people to 71,073 between 2004/5 and 2005/6. By Latrobe City Shire Council - 12th April 2007 - Back to News Traralgon experienced a 2.7% increase in its population growth.
Latrobe City’s Chief Executive Officer, Paul Buckley said that the growth was more good news for the region.
"These statistics show a growing feeling of confidence in the Latrobe Valley. The figures are evidence of a long-awaited turnaround from the 1990s when the area experienced a downturn in population after the privatisation of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria and the loss of many thousands of jobs," Mr Buckley explained.
"We are seeing all the anecdotal signs of a population growth, with subdivisions opening up across the municipality, reduced unemployment, a higher birth rate, more childcare centres being built and increased enrolments at preschools.
"In fact, for the start of this school year, we actually recommissioned one of our preschool centres, in Morwell, to accommodate the growing number of children enrolling in preschools. We have also seen an increase in sessions at other preschools across the City, to cope with the demand for places.
"With the birth rate increasing from 865 in 2004/5 to 1030 in 2005/6, our maternal and child health centres have reported that families are increasingly visiting the centres to keep up with their child development appointments," Mr Buckley added.
According to Mr Buckley, the growth in Latrobe City is not only being measurable by population growth but also in economic terms.
"The unemployment rate for Latrobe City fell 10.5% for the December 2005 quarter, to 6.2% for the December quarter, 2006. That represents a fall of 4.3%. Over the same period, the unemployment rate for Regional Victoria fell from 6.5% to 5.8%, leaving Latrobe in a comparable situation in terms of unemployment figures.
"This clearly shows an upturn in the jobs market, reflecting positive investment and economic growth, and a growing confidence in the labour force in this area," Mr Buckley added.
Latrobe City mayor, councillor Tony Zimora said that the population growth figures were encouraging.
"For many years, the Latrobe Valley has lived in the shadow of the privatisation of the SEC. During that period, the area struggled with low employment rates, lack of investment and as a consequence many families moved away.
"Now, we are beginning to reap the benefits of a sustained and well-managed strategy of attracting industry and commerce back to this area. The labour force here is willing, skilled and ready to work. We see many new houses being built on subdivisions across the region and an increase in the birth rate over the past year indicates that families are feeling confident that Latrobe City is a safe, family-friendly and vibrant place to live," Cr Zimora concluded.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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