National Population Plan a critical new policy tool: UDIA

Australian cities and regions will be able to better plan for the economic and social dividend of growth with the launch of a new National Population Plan.

The Commonwealth Government has today announced details of its National Population Plan, building on the recent creation of a new Centre for Population Growth and changes to the migration program.

Immigration and population growth have been an essential ingredient of the modern Australian story, adding to the nation’s collective prosperity.

Our population will keep growing so we need to stay ahead of the task of understanding its implications.

A clear national plan that includes rolling short and long-term forecasts, maps settlement patterns and informs land use, housing, infrastructure and service delivery is crucial.

We can also use the opportunity to open a stronger dialogue with the community around the trajectory and consequences of change that can create stronger, more prosperous cities and regions.

A major plus of the plan is it leans on the states to help inform settlement patterns and then structures the migration and visa program to meet workforce needs.

This should means the states are better placed to deliver on the land use, infrastructure and housing needed to sustain known rates of growth.

Migrants have always brought skills, workforce capability, wages, tax revenue, diversity and improved productivity to the table.

The new National Population Plan shows a willingness to harness these assets and tie them to a population policy framework that enhances the national economy.”