1. Rural Population Growth Policy
Presentation by Paul Shipp, Director, Urban Enterprise
Mayors, Councillors and CEOs Forum
11 April 2018

2. +1.1m residents State population is growing strongly
Change in Share of State Growth
( vs 2006)
+1.1m residents

4. Diverse Population Experiences across Rural Victoria

5. Is this a problem?
4 out of 5 RCV Councils rate the issue as “very important”
3 out of 4 Councils have taken action to address population
(limited co-ordination, success)

6. Is this a problem?
84% of population growth in Rural Victoria is projected to occur in peri-urban areas
Rural Victoria’s share of state growth is projected to continue to decline
Western Victoria projected to decline further
Link between population and service provision, infrastructure, labour availability

7. Current Policy and Incentives What’s missing?
Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund
Regional First Home Owners Grant
Payroll Tax Discount
GovHub
Marketing and Research
Population strategy or target
Differentiation of regional and rural
Co-operation of local and State
A response for Western Victoria

8. Who moves and why?
Recent migrants
Younger people (in and out)
Regional and rural returners
Lifestyle
Jobs
Connections (family, community)
Major demographic and economic shifts are at play. Governments should not seek to reverse these, rather leverage opportunities and advantages for net community benefit

9. Who moves and why?

10. Policy Directions Set a vision and allocate responsibilities
Respond to different challenges differently
Use old and new levers, encourage co-operation
Target those most likely to move
Leverage lifestyle benefits, address skills gaps and barriers to movement
Improve data quality and consistency

11. Priorities and Actions
Population Strategy and Targets
Minister for Rural Victoria
Increase existing incentives for rural areas
Remove physical and regulatory barriers to growth
Establish new incentives for families, migrants and businesses
Facilitate second move migration to address skills gaps
Address Population Risk in Western Victoria
Public transport investment
Business incentives
Address skills gaps
Remove planning, land supply and infrastructure barriers to growth
Continue government employment centralisation
State-wide population movement monitoring program

12. Paul Shipp Director (03) 9482 3888 paul@urbanenterprise. com
Paul Shipp Director (03) Urban Enterprise Urban Planning / Land Economics / Tourism Planning / Industry Software