THE Strathbogie Shire is riding a growth wave sweeping northeast Victoria, ranking as the state’s third fastest growing LGA in a December 2024 Regional Australia Institute (RAI) report. The shire has dropped from its first place rank in RAI’s August 2024 report, which earned it the impressive title of Victoria’s fastest growing LGA. But the latest quarterly report reveals that in the 12 months from September 2023 to 2024, the shire still recorded strong growth in migration inflows, increasing by 251 percent. The figure does not represent a total growth in population, but rather the rate of migration inflows relative to the previous year (September 2022 to 2023). The growth rate is the third highest in Victoria and fourth highest in Australia. Migration from regional areas to the Strathbogie Shire has increased by 151pc, compared to a 100pc increase in migration from capital cities. The Strathbogie Shire is bucking the trend on region-to-region migration, which has fallen 5.1pc nationwide. Strathbogie Shire Council mayor Claire Ewart-Kennedy was not surprised by the new data. “Of course everyone wants to live in Strathbogie – who wouldn't?” she said. Wangaratta, another northeast Victorian LGA, has now claimed the label of Victoria’s (and Australia’s) fastest growing LGA, recording a migration growth rate of 592pc. Moira Shire, neighbouring Strathbogie, ranked a close fifth with a migration growth rate of 247pc. Migration to Mansfield, also in the northeast, increased by 186.8pc. The Victorian LGA of Queenscliffe ranked in second place (407pc increase) and the NSW LGA of Bega Valley ranked third (291pc increase). According to RAI, growth in city-to-region migration in this quarter is 1.8pc higher than the average rate during the height of COVID-19 lockdowns. The rate is also 19.8pc above the pre-COVID average. RAI CEO Liz Ritchie said the figures show Australia is “in a new era of migration where regional Australia is at the forefront”. According to the report, 35.6pc more people are moving from capital cities to the regions than in the opposite direction. Paul Fowler, a regional manager at Commonwealth Bank Australia, said Strathbogie was among regional LGAs that “offer attractive and more affordable lifestyle opportunities for many Australians”. “Victoria’s regional businesses are… well-positioned to capitalise on increased migration, with growth in industries like agribusiness, logistics, healthcare and education set to benefit from demand,” he said. Cr Ewart-Kennedy said growth is “exciting and challenging”. “We shouldn't shy away from it, but rather we should embrace it, mindful of the impacts and opportunities equally,” she said. “Growth has to be managed against the backdrop of our important agricultural, equine, wine, food and many other amazing businesses, whilst ensuring our residents enjoy their amenities in a way that provides opportunity, accessibility and participation for all.” She is encouraging locals to provide feedback, in person or online, on council’s Rural Residential and Land Use Strategy and Urban Growth Strategy.
