Population policy review

Submitted 22/07/2010

www.southaustralia.biz

 

The State Government has announced it will review the State's population policy to ensure South Australia continues to grow in a sustainable way.

Industry and Trade Minister Minister Tom Koutsantonis will oversee the development of the review.

"It is all about getting the balance right," he says.

"We need our population to grow so that our economy continues to expand, but, we also need to take into account the impact of an expanding population on climate change, urban planning, transport, the provision of health services and water infrastructure."

Mr Koutsantonis says much has changed since the publication in 2004 of the last population policy, which forecast population decline in the lead-up to 2030.

"What a difference a few years make," Mr Koutsantonis says.

"In 2005, South Australia achieved its net overseas migration target of 8,500 per year - years ahead of schedule - and we have exceeded our fertility target with a rate of 1.88 births per woman, against our target of 1.7.

"As of December 2009, the State's population was 1,633,900, within easy reach of the target for 2014 of 1.64 million."

South Australia's population policy review follows an announcement by the Federal Government of its own review, to be undertaken by Australia's first Minister for Sustainable Population, Tony Burke.