Remote towns fight to survive
NORTH Queensland faces a Catch-22 situation of needing job opportunities to attract people to remote and regional towns, while simultaneously fighting to find and keep a sustainable population base to spur investment.
The serious challenges facing regional and remote towns in the North and northwest have been laid out in submissions to a federal government inquiry into jobs for the future in regional areas.
According to a submission by the Mckinlay Shire Council, located two-thirds of the way from Townsville to Mount Isa, population retention was the “largest challenge” faced by the community and the council.
“Employment opportunities have to be supported by a sustainable base of locals that is able to supply sufficient labour,” the submission stated.
“Population attraction and retention and renewability are essential to sustain local economic development.
“However, as a remote outback shire, the forecasts of population growth are negative even in the best-case scenarios.”
The population of Mckinlay Shire has decreased since 2011, from a peak of 1085 to just 810 at the recent census.
The Hinchinbrook Shire Council, headquartered in Ingham, faces a similar situation.
It currently holds the record for the oldest demographic in the state.
“The demographic and economic challenges confronting our district are huge, but not insurmountable,” the council’s submission noted
“We have a declining and ageing population because we cannot hold our youth. “
The Senate Inquiry into future jobs for regional areas was established in July to investigate, among other issues, “new industries and employment opportunities” that can be created in the regions, the number of existing jobs in clean energy technology and ecological services and their future significance, and the importance of long-term planning to support local economies.
The Mckinlay Shire Council has recommended a mix of financial relief from governments, private investment and building council assets, including tax offset benefits, financial incentives to spur private investment and for private firms to commit to sourcing local labour, services and supplies.
Meanwhile, the Hinchinbrook Shire Council says it is “actively pursuing” business in other growth sectors such as tourism, renewable energy, and new sporting and recreational activities to mitigate population decline and create job opportunities.
The senate committee is due to present its final report by December 4.