DROUIN, Trafalgar and Yarragon are growing faster than Warragul, according to Census data released yesterday.
The data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows Warragul’s population increased by 1,131 people between 2006 and 2011, outstripped by Drouin’s increase of 2,163.
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When viewed as a percentage of the 2006 population, Warragul’s increase is also dwarfed by those of Trafalgar, Yarragon and Longwarry.
Trafalgar and Yarragon’s populations both increased by 35 per cent, Drouin’s by 28.8 per cent and Longwarry grew by 21 per cent.
In comparison, Warragul’s population only grew by 8.7 per cent.
Drouin’s population increase is also reflected by a rise in occupied dwellings.
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Property consultancy group Urbis identifies Drouin as the second fastest growing regional urban area in the country according to occupied dwellings.
The number of occupied dwellings in Drouin increased by 32.9 per cent between 2006 and 2011, while fastest growing Torquay increased by 34.5 per cent.
Warragul, Drouin, Trafalgar, Yarragon and Longwarry are the five most populous towns in Baw Baw.
and drouin will continue to outgrow warragul, namely due to the dilapidated dairy in the main street and the lack of ability to cross town around 3pm. both of which should have been addressed at least 10 years ago.
We have recently semi-retired and moved to Drouin and use both Drouin and Warragul for grocery shopping but Warragul desperately needs a mall eg Stockmans or similar to service growing population particularly in Drouin. Housing estates are booming in this beautiful area. We currently spend our money at Fountain Gate/Traralgon but would prefer a local shopping mall.
I know this would be a cause for concern for local businesses but as the population increases so must services which will encourage even more growth and wealth back into the town. We have our own business and have always moved with needs of clients and the times.
Warragul must heed the problem soon or it will die like many country towns. Just imagine what a scaled Westfield Centre would bring to Warragul and surrounding smaller towns!
Come on Warragul your future is progression not regression!