Bass Coast Local News:
Bass Coast’s Increasing Popularity

Bass Coast outpaces Victoria's average population growth rate

By Bass Coast Shire Council - 26th February 2002 - Back to News

•Tell us your opinion •See what others have said

Bass Coast Shire’s annual growth rate is 2.9%, outpacing both the Gippsland and Victorian average population growth rates. The average annual growth rate for Victoria was 1.3%, while Gippsland remained static.

Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics earlier this week estimated that 701 new residents called Bass Coast home in 2000/01.

The overall statistics for Victoria showed that the population growth trend is city living or seachange. People are choosing inner city living in the Melbourne or a seachange to coastal areas such as Bass Coast, Mornington Peninsula and Surf Coast.

"There is no doubt that Bass Coast’s popularity as a place to live has increased substantially in the last few years," said Cr Miranda Sage, Mayor of Bass Coast Shire Council.

"With better road networks to Melbourne allowing people to commute on a daily basis, plus many older people retiring to the area, our population is booming," she said.

"Bass Coast also has some of the last remaining affordable coastal properties in the state despite a significant increase in prices over the past year," she said.

Population is not the only thing on the increase at Bass Coast. The number of planning permit applications and the value of development across Bass Coast in the last six months increased substantially on the previous six months.

From 31 January 2001 until 31 July 2001, Council processed 537 planning permit applications with a total value of $23 million. From 31 July 2001 until 31 January 2002, Council processed 651 planning applications worth a total of $87 million.

Cr Sage said that the increase in population as well as booming development has a direct impact on the facilities and services provided by Council.

"An increasing population puts additional pressure on Council services and facilities," said Cr Sage. "However, knowing that our population will increase rapidly and that much of this increase will be in the older age bracket means that we can plan services accordingly."

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: support@gippslander.com

Let the author know your views in this story

Your comments: *

Your Email Address: *

If you are the author of this story you can edit it by clicking here

Note: To start the discussion you will have to login with your member account.

• Bass Coast Beach Festival
  Bass Coast Shire Council is encouraging community groups across the Shire to be part of a Beach Festival in 2009.
• White Road Works To Go Ahead
  Bass Coast Shire Council’s Special Charge Scheme for the Wonthaggi Town Entrance (White Road) has been upheld by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribune (VCAT).
• Art Delights For Council
  Bass Coast Shire Council has added to its Art Acquisition collection with ‘Kitchen Delights’ now welcoming people into the foyer at the Wonthaggi office.
• Special Recognition For Employees
  A number of employees have reached service milestones at Bass Coast Shire Council, one employee clocking up 25 years service.