Councillors in western NSW say coronavirus pandemic could lead to population boom in the bush

As of 10am Wednesday, only 45 of the nearly 3000 cases of COVID-19 in NSW have been found in Western NSW.

Just 10 of those 45 were recorded in Orange.

Bathurst Regional Councillor Warren Aubin said once the crisis is over people in metropolitan areas may reassess where they currently live, particularly if they are in an area that was a hotspot for the virus.

"I just feel that people in the city will see how regional areas in NSW were affected by COVID-19, because we haven't really been affected," he said.

"You look at places like Sydney and they've had a few deaths. People could say 'Stuff this, I'm going for a tree change' and head west."

Bathurst, with its great community facilities and educational opportunities, would be an ideal place for families to relocate.

If this were to occur, Cr Aubin said it would be crucial that there are jobs available for new residents to fill.

And one of the areas he wants to see offer more jobs is manufacturing, saying he'd love to see a return to "the glory days of the '70s and '80s when Australia was producing a lot of his own things".

"It's probably time now that our economic development department gets the whip out and tries to get some manufacturing businesses to town," he said.

He has some support from deputy mayor Ian North, who said council has to encourage new businesses to come forward after the threat of coronavirus is gone.

He said it was important to reach out to big businesses and show them the benefits of establishing themselves in Bathurst, like cheaper land and access to facilities.

"We nearly need to be a salesperson and sell Bathurst like we've never sold it before," Cr North said.

While manufacturing is important, he said the way the pandemic has changed people's lifestyles may also spark some new small businesses, particularly courier services.

"As tough as what this is, I'm sort of excited in a way to see what's going to come out of this at the end," Cr North said.

"I think this council continues to prove itself, and Bathurst people and the businesses of all types and sizes.

"At the end of this, there's going to be some tough ones, but if we can create more opportunities in different ways, great. We need to be eyes wide open and ears open, have a good listen and work with the community."