Poll reveals 65 of South Australians back bigger population

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Poll reveals 65% of South Australians back bigger population

Landmark polling has revealed that almost seven in 10 South Australians believe the state can accommodate a bigger population.

The Property Council-commissioned poll, which took place between 31 July and 4 August, canvassed the views of 300 metropolitan and regional South Australians with a maximum margin of error of ±6 per cent.

“Put simply, there is overwhelming support for growing South Australia’s population and implementing initiatives to keep more young people in the state,” said Property Council SA Executive Director Daniel Gannon.

“At a time when Victoria’s population grows by more people every 27 days than South Australia grows across the year, we need policy-makers to fully appreciate the economic challenge ahead.”

Mr Gannon said the poll results reveal the following:

  • 71% of respondents believe that too many young people are leaving the state to live and work elsewhere, with 84% of SA Best voters believing this to be the case.
  • 79% believe that the state’s population is ageing and that more needs to be done to encourage our young people to stay and settle in South Australia, with 89% of Liberal voters accepting this premise.
  • 63% believe that the state will benefit from migration, with 72% of Greens voters in support.
  • 65% believe that the state has the capacity to successfully accommodate a bigger population if it is well managed and properly planned, with 71% of Liberal voters accepting this proposition.

“The message is clear and simple – the public mood for embracing population growth in South Australia is strong,” he said.

“There is a healthy and sustained appetite for growth because South Australians accept that a bigger and more sustainable population is related to economic growth.

“Cities like Adelaide already have an established framework around education, transport, health and housing, which means we’re ready to roll when it comes to growth.

“South Australians are ready to lead a conversation about how population growth can help reboot the state’s economy.

“The Property Council encourages the Federal Government in collaboration with Premier Steven Marshall to embrace City Deals to help transform Adelaide’s skyline and stem the state’s ‘brain drain’ of young talent to cities like Sydney and Melbourne.”

The results by segment are as follows:

ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROPERTY SECTOR

Please see below statistics about the importance of property to the South Australian economy:

  • Property is South Australia’s largest private sector employer and biggest industry
  • It accounts for 10.8% of the state’s economic activity (or $10.5 billion)
  • It builds prosperity by paying $4 billion in wages and salaries – one in five people draw their wage directly or indirectly from property
  • One million South Australians have a stake in property through their super funds
  • Property is the largest single industry contributor paying 58.6% of state taxes, local government rates, fees and charges

Media contact: Daniel Gannon | E [email protected]