3.4. Our people

Planning is all about people and communities, and the Clarence valleys prospects for growth are underpinned by its ongoing success in attracting new residents and supporting those that are here already.

Our population increased by 5 percent between 2006 - 2016 and are projected to continue to grow through until 2026. While longer term projections indicate a steady population, other driving forces and initiatives will continue to provide opportunities for growth. An ageing population in the Clarence means we need to continue to provide an enviable lifestyle and job opportunities to attract new residents. We are planning for a growing population and jobs growth, providing housing, community infrastructure and an attractive environment for families. Our current demographic trends indicate we need to continue our current work to support our population through the whole lifecyle, particularly our ageing population.

Population Projections provide an indication of how the population may change in the future and are primarily driven by demographic change. The projections can also be influenced by other factors such as infrastructure investment and changing preferences of the housing market. This means projections will continue to change over time.

Figure 3 – Potential demographic change over time Source: Department of Planning, Industry and Environment. Based on 2016 census analysis.