Regarding population. Jetstar already serve small centres in Australia e.g. Ballina and Proserpine
Ballina (Byron Bay) and Proserpine (Whitsunday Coast Airport) are gateways to renowned tourist destinations, and the cities at the other end of those legs are Sydney (4.6mil), Melbourne(4.1mil) and Brisbane (2.1mil).
I grew up in the Hamiltron - it isn't that exciting................................. neither is the Mount!