A NEW report calling for a rapid boost to regional populations claims an influx of people would increase the average income and reduce unemployment.
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The Regional Australia Institute has released its research into the economic benefits of regional population growth which calls on government to invest and develop policies on growing country areas.
In population scenarios modelled by the institute, highly dispersed regional growth could see Tamworth climb past 200,000 by 2056.
The report said this would have a beneficial effect on the local economy.
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"Average real (inflation adjusted) annual incomes of around 1.8 per cent ($1,300), contributes 0.3 percentage points to unemployment, an increase in average house costs of 5.5 per cent ($28,000), and an increase in average commute distance of 6.5 per cent (1.1 kilometres)," it said.
The institute has also called on government to fund and enable more regional growth.
Among other things, it called for "detailed examination of planning, taxation, and economic development policy options that can be put in place by governments alongside infrastructure investment to moderate growth in outer suburban areas while enabling increased regional growth."
The prospect of accelerated growth in Tamworth can incite some angst, but mayor Col Murray believed the community expected the council to be planning for the future.
He said the report showed growth would offer wide-ranging economic benefits to the region.
"This report is planning through to 2056," he said.
"I don't think we'd necessarily withhold the planning process because it hasn't rained for while.
"We can't ignore the drought and we have to work on strong and positive actions, but the planning work can still go ahead.
"I don't think we should end up behind the eight-ball where many major cities are with their infrastructure."
Cr Murray said the federal government's polices would need to change to help foster more regional growth.
The difficulties of enticing people to move to regional NSW were laid bare this year after the pin was pulled on Evocities, a relocation marketing program.
He said the federal government had to reconsider the distribution of migrants in Australia and direct more skilled workers to the country.