BATHURST Regional Council is continuing to plan for strong population growth as the consequences of COVID-19 play out.
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Council says it's too soon to say for sure, but early indications are that the coronavirus will not alter the city's course.
The NSW Department of Planning and Environment has predicted the Bathurst region's population will reach 55,250 by 2036 and council has previously said it has enough zoned land to accommodate 55,000.
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That prediction was made, however, before coronavirus cut off the nation's migrant intake and savaged the economy.
Mayor Bobby Bourke said council would continue to use the 55,000 population figure in its long-term planning, but "this will be reviewed when the impacts and opportunities created by the pandemic are better known".
Both a decrease in Bathurst's population growth and an increase are possible due to the repercussions of the coronavirus crisis, he said, "but early indications are that the Bathurst region may see a net increase in population growth as a result of the pandemic".
Cr Bourke said council would continue its longstanding practice of promoting living and working in Bathurst and believes the city's shift to new technologies, as well as its sporting and cultural facilities, will be selling points.
"Our city is on track to become a smart community of national significance using technology and data to drive economic activity and meet the changing needs of our community," he said.
"Initiatives include free public wi-fi, smart street lighting, electric vehicle charging stations and smart water meter readers.
"Council also continues to invest in community sporting facilities such as the soccer fields at Proctor Park and rugby fields on Hereford Street as well as cultural facilities like the Bathurst Rail Museum and National Motor Racing Museum, all of which makes our city a desirable location."
Council is also due to have a draft town centre master plan presented to it in coming months, which will then be placed on public exhibition.
"The CBD Master Plan is more important than ever to give people - residents and visitors, when visitation becomes normal again - a reason to come to the CBD and stay a while, all in support of local businesses," Cr Bourke said.
The plan will consider options for the former TAFE building on William Street, which Charles Sturt University was reportedly eyeing as a CBD campus before the coronavirus hit.