The population of the Waitaki district is expected to continue to grow although it will be older, and the number of rate-paying properties to rise, spreading costs, a new report predicts.
The projections for properties, dwellings and rateable units was prepared by Rationale for the Waitaki District Council to form a basis for planning.
The report predicts the population will grow from 21,360 to 22,125 in 2045. Dwellings will increase from 10,995 to 12,655 and rateable units from 14,490 to 16,010.
That shows continued growth, despite some other projections that population will decline.
The report said the district had a growing elderly population, which increased the average age.
Twenty-two percent of the population was 65 years or over, compared with the national average of 14%.
This trend was expected to continue, with 35% of the population 65 years or over by 2030.
The number of people aged 15 to 64 would continue to fall, which could affect the make-up of the workforce.
It would also contribute to a decline in average household size, from 2.3 residents to 2.1 in 2045.
In terms of population, rural areas were projected to grow while towns might decline.
The growth in rural areas was expected on the back of expanding irrigation creating more on-farm jobs.
