Keeping regional communities thriving means more than attracting new residents. Access to essential services, reliable connections and a strong sense of belonging can help determine whether people stay or leave, according to new research from the School of Architecture, Design and Planning, examining population change in Broken Hill.

As governments seek to encourage Australians to move to regional areas, researchers say greater attention must be paid to why people leave and what makes them want to stay.

The study, Liveability, Connectivity, and Scenius: Broken Hill as a Case Study for Reduced Population Churn identifies three interconnected factors that can help regional communities retain residents: liveability, connectivity and what researchers call scenius – the distinctive cultural, social and creative life that emerges from interactions between people, their surroundings and local culture.

Drawing on a survey of 421 Broken Hill residents and interviews with eight local government and economic development stakeholders, the research examines these factors.

The findings highlight the importance of access to health care, education, affordable housing and transport. When these services are lacking, residents may be more likely to consider moving elsewhere. Conversely, family and friends, secure employment and an enjoyable lifestyle are among the reasons people choose to stay.

“Connectivity is an important consideration. Transport and digital infrastructure help regional residents maintain professional opportunities and social connections beyond their immediate community, including relationships with family and friends living elsewhere.”

The research also highlights the importance of scenius:

“A community is more than just its jobs, services and infrastructure. Its character, cultural life and how well it provides opportunities for people to connect help make it a place where residents feel they belong and want to build their future,.” said Dr Werner.

“The overwhelming majority of respondents said they would stay because of their connections to friends and family. However, some people gave their first reason for staying as the fact they love Broken Hill specifically, including its landscape, culture and history.”

Responses were evocative, including this from one man in his sixties: “The ancientness of the whole country permeates everything.”

Why population stability matters

Population churn –the movement of people into and out of a community – can have consequences beyond changes in population numbers.

When residents leave, communities lose skills, local knowledge and social connections. Declining populations can also put pressure on essential services, creating a cycle in which the loss of services then encourages more people to leave.

Conversely, population growth without adequate planning can place pressure on housing, transport and other infrastructure.

The research argues that population stability deserves as much attention as traditional measures of population growth and decline. Retaining residents can help sustain local services, strengthen community networks and support the long-term viability of regional towns and cities.

While Broken Hill faces unique challenges as a remote mining city experiencing gradual population decline, the research offers lessons for other regional communities seeking to build sustainable futures.

The study recommends that governments and local decision-makers work with residents and other local stakeholders to identify the specific services, connections and cultural assets that matter most in their communities.

“There is no single solution for every regional community. Effective policy needs to respond to local circumstances and involve the people who understand their communities best,” said Dr Werner.

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