GROWING, growing, great! Tamworth’s population is forecast to swell by almost 20 per cent during the next 20 years and local builders couldn’t be happier.

Mark Single, of MW and LM Single Builders, said news the population was set to grow by 8890 people in the coming years was better than he could have expected.

“It’s really fantastic and are we ready for it? I think

Tamworth is,” he said.

“We have been sustaining that rate or a little better for at least the past three or four years already and are handling it well.”

The findings are part of a report released this week by the Residential Development Council.

It forecasts Tamworth would need a total of 241 new dwellings built each year for the next five years to house the swelling population.

Of those, 116 would need to be houses and 125 attached dwellings (flats/apartments or townhouses).

Mr Single said Tamworth as a whole did not do attached dwellings well.

“On the whole the focus is on detached dwellings and certainly the land is there for it,” he said.

“The council has gotten on board and zoned 5000 or 6000 blocks in anticipation of such a growth.”

Mr Single said housing affordability was the biggest drawcard for the city.

“Rents are a little high but houses are affordable and people will come here for that,” he said.

“We also have jobs, and carpenters, plumbers and electricians can make more here than in Sydney or Newcastle because the cost of living is less.”

Tamworth Regional Development Corporation chairman Tim Coates said the population boom offered new opportunities for business and

investment.

“The market always dictates what it wants but certainly if business can adapt to that need there is opportunity to benefit from the growth in population,” he said.

“It may mean we get a department store scenario back in town.

“Certainly AELEC (Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre) will attract more horse people to the city as the industry grows across all forms of equine pursuits, both recreational and professional.

“Water security is also better than it was three years ago.”

Mr Coates said it was vital medical facilities kept pace with population.

“The redevelopment of the Tamworth Hospital comes to mind – access to better medical facilities and radiotherapy are needed,” he said.