LEETON shire’s population has increased by 0.5 per cent since 2013, according to new figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
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The number show at March this year Leeton shire had a population of 11,959, which is an increase of 57 people when compared to 2014.
Leeton Shire Council economic development, tourism and events manager Nicola James was impressed at the jump.
“City people would probably scoff at it, but for a shire of this size to have growth like that is quite significant,” she said.
“In the past Leeton’s population has always remained quite stable and static.
“It is quite pleasing to see it rise like this.”
The average age of Leeton shire residents is 35.9 compared to the Australian median of 37.3.
The figures also show that the total number of businesses in Leeton shire in 2013 was 1047.
There were 132 businesses that employed five or more people.
Leeton’s neighbouring shire of Narrandera had one of the biggest declines in the state, with 59 less people for the 2013-14 period.
“Murrumbidgee shire had 1 per cent growth over the same period, but with only 26 people,” Mrs James said.
“It will be interesting to see how Leeton fares in the 2016 Census.
“Hopefully we maintain this positive growth pattern.
“Our growth generating projects indicate that Leeton may be in for a very prosperous time ahead.”
While Mrs James was unable to pinpoint exactly why Leeton shire had gained extra residents she said it was a positive.
“It could be to do with the many different business opportunities here or it could even be the number of refugees we now have living in the shire,” she said.
“There are many significant projects happening at the moment, so it’s all good news.
“These are all thngs that attract people to town.
“If we can keep building on that platform then I would say Leeton is in a very good position.
“Hopefully the increase in numbers will continue.”
The number of building approvals for the private sector in 2013 was 324, while there were 9163 registered motor vehicles in the shire.
The main industry was manufacturing thanks to the shire’s varying businesses that continue to grow.