The new growth assumptions report forecasts the population will remain "relatively stable" on the back of a continued strong rural economy over the next decade.
The report, Projected Growth in the Clutha District, was prepared as part of next year's long-term plan 2012-22, which sets out the projects and services council intends to deliver over a 10-year period and how these will be funded.
Policy, planning and monitoring assistant Brendon Harper said that as part of the process of preparing the plan, the council had to set out what it believes will happen in the district.
A key issue is what growth, positive or negative, the council believes will take place and where.
The report predicts that the district's rural economy will remain strong, as dairy conversions were expected to continue, although limits on water availability in some areas would constrain further conversions.
Dairy payouts were expected to remain fair over the next three years, and sheep and beef returns were expected to strengthen.
The performance of the primary sector was expected to be highly dependent on factors such as the exchange rate, climate, fuel costs, and the wider global economy.
The tourism sector was also expected to experience ongoing growth, but would also be influenced by fuel prices and the exchange rate. Exposure from the Rugby World Cup 2011 and the proposed Clutha Gold Trail from Roxburgh to Lawrence were two potential drivers of increased tourist numbers.
Although the overall population of the district is forecast to remain relatively stable or decline slightly over the next decade, there are areas - such as Clinton and Kaitangata - that were likely to experience faster than average decline and other areas - Waihola, Taieri Mouth, Milton-Milburn - would experience growth.
Like most districts, the Clutha population was expected to continue to age. Clutha has a lower share of its population in the 20 to 30 age-group than the country as a whole.
Feedback on the report must be submitted to the council by September 16 and a full copy of the report, including population predictions for Clutha townships, is available online at www.cluthadc.govt.nz.
