Highlights

• On 16 December 2010 the minister released the issues paper, A Sustainable Population Strategy for Australia. The launch started a public consultation process, with the minister calling for all Australians to contribute their views on how to manage our changing population.
• The department received 380 submissions from individuals; state governments and their agencies; environmental, social and population non-government organisations; industry associations and businesses; academics; local governments, and regional and community groups. These submissions raised a range of views about our changing population and the environmental, social and economic needs that can determine future wellbeing. 
• The minister also held six roundtables, bringing together key organisations and groups to discuss major viewpoints in thesustainable population debate.
  A public consultation process was undertaken to enable the government to understand the diverse views on Australia’s population changes and their impacts.
• This consultation informed Australia’s sustainable population strategy Sustainable Australia—Sustainable Communities: A Sustainable Population Strategy for Australia, which the minister released on 13 May 2011.
• At 30 June 2011 the National Rental Affordability Scheme had supported the delivery of 3 877 affordable rental dwellings, and around 19 000 scheduled for delivery by 30 June 2014.
• The first 749 reduced price lots/dwellings have been sold as a result of Housing Affordability Fund projects.
• The Building Better Regional Cities draft program guidelines were completed, and detailed consultation undertaken with key stakeholders.