New figures released by the State Government show a complex but somewhat encouraging picture for Cowra, with population growth trending upwards after years of departures.
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New arrivals have come from a mix of different locations, with a surprise influx of people arriving from Penrith (93 people) and Blacktown (55) in addition to expected numbers from nearby Cabonne (101), Regional Bathurst (66) and Orange (56) areas.
However, demographic figures, which were produced by the NSW Planning and Environment Department, were less promising.
2016-17 census results illustrate that while more than 120 people have respectively arrived across the 55-59 and 65-69 year old demographic but simultaneously just under 300 people aged 20 to 24 have left the town.
The response from councillors at Monday’s Cowra Shire Council meeting was mixed, despite voting to note the Environmental Services Director’s report on the figures.
Councillor Bruce Miller was skeptical, noting the reliance on the Australian Bureau of Statistics figures to make observations.
“Unfortunately the Bureau [The ABS] didn’t have credibility in the past, with the use of projections of where population is in the future,” Cr Miller said.
“It impacts on major infrastructure and services, including schools and health.”
However, Councillor Ruth Fagan was more conciliatory, noting the fact that 34 more people have died than were born over the 2016-17 period.
“It’s very interesting … there are some lessons for us,” she said.
