Sea change goes reverse in region

Andrew Mathieson
Surf Coast residents are moving to Geelong in a reversal of the sea change phenomenon, according to new government statistics.
But the Department of Planning and Community Development figures show Geelong is losing residents to neighbouring Golden Plains Shire as city dwellers opt for tree changes instead.
A demographic researcher behind the statistics believes house prices have forced people out of the Surf Coast despite popular lifestyle advantages.
The latest Census data shows internal migration throughout Victoria for the five years to 2007. The data shows 1736 left the Surf Coast for Geelong and 1406 moved the other way from the city to the beach.
The figures surprised state demographic research manager Jeremy Reynolds.
“Geelong has a net gain from Surf Coast of 330, which is interesting,” Mr Reynolds said.
“It has moved both ways but Geelong is remaining popular within the region.”
Colac-Otway region was the next most popular destination for Surf Coast residents, with 139 moving to the neighbouring shire.
Mr Reynolds said housing affordability was usually behind short-distance moves such as the shifts between the Surf Coast and Geelong.
“People are moving either up or down in the housing market,” he said.
“I’d suggest that’s what has happened with Surf Coast’s net losses to Geelong particularly.”
The top 10 net gains for the Surf Coast were all from Melbourne municipalities, with nearly 2000 moving to the coastal shire.
More Geelong people were leaving for Golden Plains than any other municipality in Victoria.
Golden Plains reaped 1682 new residents from Geelong, while 1034 went to Werribee’s Wyndham shire.
Golden Plains also had the largest net gain after 828 residents moved to Geelong and 336 went to Melbourne City.
Golden Plains Mayor Des Guinane said he was not surprised that his shire, also the fast-growing rural municipality in regional Victoria, was a popular lifestyle choice.
“We have a rural lifestyle and, particularly in the case of Bannockburn, are within very easy commuting distance Geelong,” he said.
“I can’t quote dollar figures but land and housing costs are quite affordable compared to Geelong.”
Geelong was also losing residents to several inner-Melbourne municipalities including suburbs such as Richmond, Prahran, South Melbourne, St Kilda, Brunswick and Coburg.