Migration, well-being and development in coastal New South Wales 1976-91

Between 1971 and 1991 the coastal New South Wales population outside major urban centres increased by 326 000 persons. This constituted 29 per cent of the state's population growth and 78 per cent of it was net migration. Migration trends in the coastal statistical local areas (SLAs) and associations between net migration and socio-economic change are examined for the intercensal periods between 1976 and 1991. There were two migration peaks between 1976 and 1981 and 1986 and 1991, indicating a tendency towards pulses in economic activity as indicated by rates of change in the labour force sectors over time. More-affluent and less-affluent populations have migrated and socio-economic indicators suggest significant areal variations within the coastal zone in advantage and disadvantage. Indicators for the zone in aggregate suggest well-being below the state level for some family groups. The high unemployment in most coastal SLAs may indicate uncertain local economies within the growth taking place more generally. Futhermore, disadvantaged persons may migrate to the coastal zone continuously, whereas employed workforce growth may fluctuate cyclically.