FAQs

Why are regional cities important?

RCNSW has a combined population of almost 1 million people, which is forecast to rise by about 150,000 in just over 10 years. The RCNSW cities currently share just over 12% of the state’s population, indicating that more must be done to enable a greater share of the state’s growing population to reside in a regional city. The cities generate $44 billion in gross regional product annually, have almost 420,000 jobs and more than 75,000 active businesses. The average unemployment rate in these cities is 5.4%, which is slightly higher than the NSW average of 4.8%, indicating again that more must be done to facilitate a greater share of the state’s growing business sector to invest in a regional city. Healthcare and social assistance, retail trade, education and training as well as accommodation and food services account for nearly 50% of all local jobs in these cities. The prevalence of these professions highlights the important service role that regional cities have in supporting regional NSW.