NORTHERN Tablelands MP Adam Marshall has described the Department of Planning as "rank amateurs" when it comes to population predictions, and said their data means "absolutely nothing".
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The department has predicted Uralla's population will drop from 6150 in 2016, down to 5450 by 2041, however Mr Marshall and local councillors believe the census will prove Uralla is actually growing.
The MP slammed the department and has urged it to change its formula or stop making the predictions.
"Their projections are absolute bullshit and have been since my time in local government starting in 2004," he said.
"The projections are always wrong, they're always proven to be wrong and they've been told for years and years by me, by mayors, by everyone that they're wrong.
"And they still stick arrogantly and belligerently to their formulas which time and time again are proven to be way, way off."
He said calls on population data should be left to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, and he is confident the results of the recent census, which will be released next year, will paint a more positive picture for Uralla.
Uralla councillor Robert Bell expects the statistics will show the town is growing, which he said could be crucial as it helps determine funding for important services.
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"Our biggest concern is that [a lower population] then focuses their mind on issues, particularly around education and policing," he said.
"It's a significant issue for council to have to challenge them, in previous times we've challenged them - but my thinking this time was that we wait until the census figures come out and then we'll have something solid to challenge them on.
"And I think they do it to all the towns, all the small communities where they just have you falling off the cliff and hence the government doesn't need to provide any services."
With tens of millions being invested into renewable energy projects and more than 80 new dwellings being built in the past few years, he is expecting significant growth.
The sentiment was echoed by mayor Michael Pearce, who said neither he nor the department had a "crystal ball".
"People come to these country locations like Uralla and the like for the environment, for the friendly atmosphere and the safety," he said.
"So I'm hoping the status quo will remain."
The department has responded by stating its responses were checked for accuracy, and it uses a number of sources to determine its predictions.
"The population projections are released twice every five years and are based on data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, census, Commonwealth Treasury and NSW Health," a spokesperson said.
"Those being referred to were released in 2019, with our next update scheduled to be provided early next year."
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