TAMWORTH'S mayor has blasted the state government's "ludicrous" population prediction for the region, which forecast the local government area will grow by fewer than 8000 people in the next 25 years.
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Col Murray will issue Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson with a please explain, after the MP endorsed the growth rate figures, which Cr Murray said were "removed from reality".
Projections released by the NSW Department of Planning predict that from 2016 to 2041, the Tamworth local government area would grow from 61,000 to 68,900 - an increase of 7900.
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Of those, 4250 are expected to be people born in the region with a further 3650 migrating here.
The government's forecast averages out to 316 people a year. However, Cr Murray said with the region's growth rate hovering around one per cent, the government's prediction was off by "around 50 per cent of reality".
"If you're going to put this information out there, at least have some concept of accuracy," Cr Murray said.
"This shows how out of touch with reality some of these agencies are - and our local member for that matter."
Mr Anderson backed the latest projections, which "show Tamworth will remain a dominant regional centre and key to the economic success of regional NSW".
"The NSW government has already anticipated this growth, with its vision-led planning," he said.
"First we have to fix our water problems and I'm pleased to say there is investment in projects like the Dungowan Dam and pipeline."
Cr Murray said next time he saw Mr Anderson, he would be "asking some hard questions".
"In the regional areas, we are trying so hard to get growth, development and our share of the state's spending - but to then see figures like this that are so removed from reality, it's ludicrous," Cr Murray said.
"The real problem is when businesses are looking to invest or relocate to Tamworth, and they see a growth prediction of 8000 people over 25 years ... I just find it bizarre, I can't understand why they've done this."
The stats come as TRC finalises its Blueprint 100, a detailed document outlining what infrastructure Tamworth will need to grow its population to 100,000 people by 2041.
Jamieson Murphy
Newcastle Herald news director and business reporter. Interested in any and all yarns. Whisper g'day mate to me at jamieson.murphy@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Newcastle Herald news director and business reporter. Interested in any and all yarns. Whisper g'day mate to me at jamieson.murphy@austcommunitymedia.com.au
