Regional cities stand out for ‘broadly inclusive economic growth’

The economic growth being achieved by regional cities like Ballarat is more broadly inclusive than that of the capitals, a new study suggests.

Ballarat, Geelong, Newcastle, Wollongong and smaller centres like Bacchus Marsh, Griffith, Warragul-Drouin, Ballina, and Griffith were among the top 10-performing locations in a study examining population and business growth, employment, welfare reliance, and construction pipelines.

Released last week, The City Report found that the capitals and other major cities were mostly mid-ranked performers, with Perth (87) and Darwin (97) among the worst performed of the 99 cities and towns Polis Partners surveyed.

Polis Partners plans to release an updated City Report twice a year to help policy-makers address specific investment needs for towns, cities, and regions looking to flatten unemployment and reliance on government welfare.