RESEARCH SHOWS REGIONAL AUSTRALIA COULD TAKE PRESSURE OFF CAPITAL CITIES

New research from the Regional Australia Institute has revealed Australia could ease pressure on its increasingly congested capital cities by investing in regional communities to accommodate more population growth.

According to the Regional Population Planning report, regional Australia could grow by 6.2 million people by 2050, more than two and a half times its current share of national growth.

However, the Institute says local housing, infrastructure and essential services are limiting the ability of regional communities to accommodate that growth.

It warns Australia risks becoming a nation of megacities, with Melbourne exceeding 9 million people and Sydney reaching 8.5 million, if population growth continues to be concentrated in the capitals.

The report says stronger regional development could see regional Australia account for 38 to 40 per cent of the national population by 2050, potentially rising to 45 per cent under a more ambitious approach.

The Institute is calling for a national regional population settlement strategy to direct more growth towards regional cities and towns, while investing in the housing, infrastructure and services needed to support it.