One in 25 million: Tamworth’s newest resident’s almost claim to fame

On Tuesday night, at just after 11pm, Australia became a nation of 25 million people.

Arlo Frazer was born at Tamworth hospital on Friday night, and while he was few days too earlier, his parents Brydie and Ben Frazer said they still plan to tell him of his almost claim to fame.

“We’re going to claim it for sure,” Mrs Frazer said with a tired smile.

It’s impossible to say exactly who the 25 millionth citizen will be.

It could be a newborn baby or it could be a person moving to Australia – overseas migration is fuelling the nation’s population growth accounting for 62 per cent, a statistic that is reflected in Tamworth’s growth.

Last year, the Tamworth local government area increased by 556 people, with overseas migration (379 people) making up 68 per cent of the growth.

Experts are calling on decision makers to start planning for the nation’s new residents now.

Sustainable Population Australia estimates the required extra infrastructure for each additional new resident could cost well over $100,000 each, with some cities already in an infrastructure catch-up position.