Griffith’s incomes are soaring but its population isn’t changing much. Photo: Visit Griffith.
A new report released by Griffith City Council has shown rising incomes, house prices and theft rates, while tourism is falling and the population remains stable.
The State of Our City Report 2022-24 showcases outcomes, service delivery, and social and economic trends over the council’s last term. It was presented to councillors last week (as is required by law) to give them an overview of how the local government area is progressing.
“Previously called the End of Term Report, this document is now known as the State of Our City. I hope it proves useful to new councillors as they gain insight into how we are realising our community’s aspirations,” Mayor Doug Curran said.
The report presented a mixed picture, with key trends including:
- Average weekly income has increased by 35 per cent and rents went up 26 per cent between 2016 and 2021.
- The average house sale price went from $330,000 in 2018 to $533,750 in 2023.
- The town’s gross regional product was up 9 per cent between 2021 and 2023.
- The number of homeless people jumped to 855 in 2022/23, a 14 per cent increase from the previous year.
- Thefts from dwellings and domestic violence-related assaults are each up 5 per cent between 2020/21 and 2023/24.
- Between July 2021 and June 2023, 2201 people moved to the city and 3282 left – a net loss of 1081.
- The overall population was 27,132 in 2023, barely any change from the previous year.
- Domestic visitor nights in Griffith fell 8 per cent between 2020/21 and 2022/23.
Councillors Mark Dal Bon, Christine Stead, Shari Blumer, Scott Groat, (Mayor) Doug Curran, Laurie Testoni, Jenny Ellis, (Deputy Mayor) Anne Napoli and Tom O’Grady will represent Griffith and will have both challenges and opportunities over the next four years. Photo: Griffith City Council.
The report also sought to justify the substantial increase in council rates that was introduced last year.
“In each of the past three years, Council has recorded a consolidated operating surplus between $1.8m and $4.5m with a further consolidated surplus expected for the 2023/24 financial year with the financial accounts still under preparation at the time of preparing the State of our City Report,” the report states.
“Whilst Council has made all reasonable endeavours to maintain a positive financial position, increasing financial pressure continues to be applied on Council, particularly the General Fund.
“High inflation on expenditure items, net reduction in grant funding and ongoing cost shifting by other levels of government has placed Council’s financial position at an unsustainable position into the future.
”After extensive community consultation, in October 2023, Council resolved to apply for a permanent special rate variation increase to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) of 10.5 per cent each year for three years (2024/25, 2025/26, 2026/27) – a cumulative permanent increase of 34.9 per cent.”
Positive developments chronicled included new infrastructure built in town during the last term of the council, such as the upgrades to the Griffith Regional Sports Centre, the addition of a 50-metre outdoor pool, new amenities at Jubilee Oval, two new carparks in Railway Street, and an affordable housing project (Griffin Green) featuring 20 new townhouses and 42 ready-to-build housing lots.
However, several challenges were also raised. These include the lack of affordable housing options leading to homelessness, housing stress, and social inequality as well as hindering skilled worker attraction. The impacts of the Murray-Darling Basin water buybacks, ageing infrastructure, retaining young people and addressing climate change were also highlighted as issues the new council will need to address.
The State of Our City Report 2022-24 can be found on the Griffith City Council website.
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