Record migrant intake for Vic

VICTORIA experienced a record migrant intake over the past year, adding 144,000 people.

With Melbourne’s population tipped to surpass nine million by 2056 under a high-growth scenario, Victoria’s population is increasing annually by 2.3 per cent, well above the 1.6 per cent national rate.

Victoria’s growth is also easily outstripping the rest of the world — India grew by 1.1 per cent, China (0.4 per cent), Canada (0.9 per cent), New Zealand (one per cent), the Philippines (1.5 per cent) and the US (0.7 per cent) in 2016-17, new ABS report Australian Demographic Statistics said.

The state’s population hit 6.32 million as of June 30, driven mainly by record net overseas migration of 86,900, up 23 per cent compared with the previous year.

Although Victoria had a lower migrant intake than NSW, it enjoyed a net gain of 17,200 residents from other states, while NSW suffered a net loss of nearly 15,000 people due to interstate migration.

Victoria added 144,400 people last year, ahead of NSW with 121,800, Queensland (79,600), WA (21,400), SA (10,500) and Tasmania (3300), the report said. Given continuing high migration and fertility rates, the ABS forecast that Melbourne’s population would jump from 4.7 million now to 9.2 million by 2056.

It would overtake Sydney by 2036, by which time Victoria would have 8.6 million people.

Melbourne’s rampant growth is shaping as a key state election issue next year, with Opposition Leader Matthew Guy expected to campaign heavily on curtailing the city’s expansion.

Smaller parties such as Australian Conservatives and Sustainable Australia are also due to campaign strongly on slashing migrant numbers.