The boom in country towns is no flash in the pan

It is a trend that could reshape regional economies for decades to come. Record numbers of Australians are turning their backs on pandemic-hit big cities, taking advantage of being able to work from home, and relocating to commutable country towns and their lure of open space, fresh air and cheaper housing. This, in turn, is creating new jobs and business opportunities.

In April-June last year – the first three months of the lockdown – capital cities suffered a net loss of 10,500 people, the largest quarterly decline on records going back to 2001, official data shows.