Our Population Fell, So They Say!

February 11, 2000 Tumut & Adelong Times

Tumut was one of 14 Local Government areas in the Riverina to experience a population decrease between June 1998 and 1999, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The Tumut Shire as a whole dropped from 11,206 to 11,112, or by 91.

The statistical data was taken before the official announcement of the Visy pulp and paper mill, and council's General Manager Chris Adams said indications pointed to growth in the Shire in the future. "ABS figures essentially look at the past, not the future,'' Mr Adams said.

"I would say though that these figures don't help the Shire when it comes to securing government services.

"Bureaucrats in Sydney or Canberra look at these figures and it becomes a real struggle to maintain government services such as schools, health and the like. It's a brick wall Council continues to come up against unfortunately."

The Tumut Shire is expecting an influx of some 500 within the next few months as construction continues on the new Visy mill, whilst Development Applications are also up on this time last year.

Of the 18 Local Government areas in the Riverina, 14 decreased in population, including Wagga (down 191 to 56,303), Gundagai (down 52 to 3732) and Tumbarumba (down 84 to 3673).