GROWTH DYNAMICS AND MUNICIPAL POPULATION CHANGE IN AUSTRALIA, 1911 2016

In Australia empirical analyses of municipal populations are
uncommon given its cities are usually conceived of as metropolitan areas.
Widespread usage of metropolitan statistics is practical; however municipal
perspectives engage with the machinery of government an d can reveal
complementary insights about cities as institutions. To develop such insights, this
study utilised a statistical model of Australian municipal populations to examine
the drivers of growth from 1911 to 2016. Statistically significant long ter m
positive relationships we re identified between population and location specific
features such as being coastal, eastern, and near to a seaport or state parliament.
The constant and strong involvement of political factors is noteworthy given they
are les s recognised drivers of settlement. The findings of this paper, which partly
elucidate drivers of population growth in Australia, have major implications for
the federal government’s plan to steer anticipated high population growth into
regional centres.