Sydneysiders love to travel to the world's great cities of New York, London, Paris and Tokyo. Yet it appears we do not want Sydney to join their ranks.

Sydney's population is still only a fraction of those cities but the latest Fairfax-Reachtel poll found many here do not want it to grow any bigger. Over 63 per cent of respondents supported restricting migration to Sydney and sending more people to the regions while 50 per cent opposed more development to accomodate a growing population.

Sydney is certainly growing fast. The population of 4.7 million is 500,000 higher than six years ago, a rate usually seen in developing countries. There is no question this places strains on transport, house prices, schools and hospitals.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has suggested  incentives for new migrants or students to live in the regions. That is fine. But the number of migrants likely to be diverted from Sydney will be small.

For one thing, a special program for migrants willing to live their first two years in Australia in regions of low population growth has operated for decades but it has not made much difference. Few migrants apply for it and those who come her under it often move to the big city after completing their two-year stint.