Millennials are leading a march of city dwellers relocating to the country but the WA regions that they are moving to are not what you would expect from a generation often criticised for its lavish tastes. Commonwealth Bank of Australia and the Regional Australia Institute’s latest Regional Movers Index revealed Northam was the nation’s top performing region for annual growth in net capital city to regional migration with a 250 per cent uplift, year-on-year. Known more for its scenic hot air ballooning than its avo on toast, the town is attracting a growing number of young families because of its affordablity and location within 100km of Perth.
Albany, four hours south of Perth and traditionally popular with retirees, also made the nation’s top five LGA’s for annual growth in net capital city to regional migration with a 120 per cent jump. Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion. Capel, in WA’s South-West and the less trendy neighbour of Bunbury and Busselton, is another WA region attracting a hoard of new residents, with a staggering 350 per cent increase in total net migration in the 12 months to March.
According to the index, metro to regional relocations have surged in the first quarter of the year to hit a 12 month high — now sitting at 20 per cent above the pre-Covid average. Commonwealth Bank’s Regional and Agribusiness executive general manager Paul Fowler said whether it was Northam, Albany or Capel, the comm.