Cheers for Tassie population spike

A SPIKE in Tasmania’s population is proof its growth strategy is working, says the State Government.

Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics released yesterday revealed the state had 6387 extra residents in the year to March 2019.

This brought Tasmania’s estimated population to 533,308, representing a 1.21 per cent increase.

The Government has a plan to increase the state’s population to 650,000 by 2050.

The strategy sets out 50 actions that are generated by three pillars — job creation and workforce development, migration and liveability.

State Growth Minister Michael Ferguson said the data showed Tasmania was growing strongly.

Mr Ferguson said the figures reflected the second highest annual growth rate since 1991 and exceeded the annual growth rate target of 0.66 per cent required to achieve the population target.

“In the year to March 2019, net interstate migration was 2254, which is a dramatic turnaround from the results under the Labor-Green (government) where Tasmanians were fleeing our state for opportunities on the mainland,’’ he said.

“But we know we need to continue to support this growth, which is why we are investing a record $3.6 billion into intergenerational infrastructure over the next four years and have a 10-year infrastructure pipeline.”

Labor local government and planning spokeswoman Anita Dow said it was not all good news.

“Tasmania’s annual growth rate is still below the national average and at only 1.2 per cent is nowhere near being on track to reach the Government’s population target of 650,000 people by 2050,’’ she said.

“The Government has failed to plan adequately for population growth and this is evident in the pressure we are seeing on housing, infrastructure and our health system.”

Job figures released yesterday showed the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose 0.4 points to 6.4 per cent.

Labor jobs and economic development spokeswoman Michelle O’Byrne said Premier Will Hodgman was failing to accept Tasmania was in a worsening jobs crisis.

Treasurer Peter Gutwein said its number one priority was job creation.

He said last financial year, the state’s economy grew the fastest in the nation for the first time in 15 years.