Western NSW Aboriginal population growing
20 May 2009
The Aboriginal population of Western NSW is forecast to increase by 27 percent over the next 12 years according to new data.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Paul Lynch said the population was projected to increase from 9540 this year to 12,153 in 2021.
The population data is contained in Aboriginal Population Projections NSW 2006 to 2021, published by the Department of Aboriginal Affairs.
The Western Region comprises the local government areas of Bourke, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Central Darling, Cobar, Coonamble, Walgett, Wentworth and the Unincorporated Area.
Mr Lynch said the data was vital to help the NSW Government target resources to help close the gap in outcomes in a range of areas, particularly in health, housing, education and job creation.
"The Government has recently appointed three Partnership Community Project Officers to work in cooperation with Aboriginal people in Cobar and Ivanhoe, Brewarrina and Weilmoringle, Broken Hill and Menindee," he said.
"These project officers will work to improve the delivery of government services and build community leadership structures," Mr Lynch said.
Overall, the State's Aboriginal population will increase from 162,871 to 210,659 in 2021.
According to the data, between 2006 and 2021:
- the average age of the State's Aboriginal population will increase from 21 years to 23 years
- the proportion of people aged under 15 years will decrease to 34% from 39%
- the proportion of people aged 15 to 29 years will increase from 26% to 28%
- the proportion of people aged 60 years and over will increase from 5% to 8%
- about 18% of Aboriginal people in NSW will be living in Western and South-West Sydney
- about 14.5% of people will be living on the North Coast and 12% in the Hunter
- the lowest proportion will be living in the State's South-East (3.6%)
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