Edgar Adams' Editorial

New Census data makes interesting reading

The ABS released the Census 2006 data at the end of last month and what a revelation for our Region. There is no data yet for Gosford and Wyong as separate local government areas but the regional data will be very valuable for the time being.
We have provided a brief overview with comparisons against the 2001 Census on pages 12 and 13. It makes interesting reading.
Of particular note is that in terms of population growth the Central Coast is no longer the fastest growing region in the State. In fact population growth over the past five years has been less than 1% per year while in the previous five years it was oinly 2%.
Depending on your point of view that could be good or bad. The Greenies and certain elements in the Gosford Liberal Party will be happy. They want to see a no growth situation and they have almost succeeded.
The property development industry for the last ten years at least has been calling for more land to be opened up for residential development. But under a bright green Carr Government that never happened.
The new Iemma Government, which is no longer controlled by the Greens in the Upper House and, I believe, has seen the light, now has the opportunity to take the brakes off.
There is certainly a lot more realism in the new government than there has been over the past ten years.
A rather disturbing fact that has come out of the Census data is the decline in the 25 – 54 year age group over the past five years. Our working population has declined from 39.7% of the total population to 38.0%.
On the other hand the older age groups have jumped from 27.0% to 29.5% of the population.
Depending on the type of business you are in you should be soaking that bit of information right up!
The ABS will release more data later in the year. We will be waiting with baited breath.

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