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The Regional Hotspots Attracting People From Capital Cities Revealed
The Regional Movers Index rose 20.1% in the March 2026 quarter, with capital-city departures outnumbering moves in the opposite direction by 29.7%.
- The Regional Movers Index hit a record high in the March 2026 quarter, with city-to-region moves making up 11.9 per cent of all internal Australian migration.
- Sydney and Melbourne residents dominated departures to regions with 55 per cent and 36 per cent shares respectively, driven by cost of living, housing, and lifestyle opportunities, Regional Australia Institute chief executive Liz Ritchie said.
- The Sunshine Coast remains the nation's most popular destination with an 8.8 per cent share of net migration, while Toowoomba recorded a 236.4 per cent increase in net inflows from capital cities.
- Moorabool Shire Mayor Steven Venditti-Taylor warned booming populations are placing significant pressure on infrastructure, while Regional Australia Institute argues the trend creates opportunities to enhance national productivity.
- Regional Australia Institute chief executive Liz Ritchie called this a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" to set an ambitious national plan, urging government and industry to respond before infrastructure pressure builds further.
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19 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources19
Leaning Left13Leaning Right0Center0Last UpdatedBias Distribution100% Left
Bias Distribution
- 100% of the sources lean Left
100% Left
L 100%
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