ABSTRACT

An important aspect of Australia's resource management is reflected in the geography of its population distribution. Australia's population is growing at about 1.15 percent annually. In 1997 the population increased by more than 220,000 people. Some 30 percent of the population live away from metropolitan areas, in the bush, in relatively isolated townships, and rural areas. People in regional Australia are disadvantaged in terms of access to health and educational services. Costs per capita in education, welfare, health, and police are higher in large than in smaller cities. Social pathologies of urban sprawl are clearly evident in poorer health and loss of community cohesion resulting in crime levels which have been soaring in the outer fringe of major cities. Air pollution and health problems will further increase with the continued growth of air traffic and when a second international airport is built in the coming years. Induced growth will continue to assure Sydney's primate national role.