Population boom continues
Tue 13 February 2007
Gail Loader, Journalism
The State Government has released a report this month that predicts that Queensland’s rapid population growth will continue over the next 20 years.
New statistics show that another 1.54 million people will make their home in the Sunshine State before 2026 giving a projected population of 5.5 million.
Premier Peter Beattie launched the report Population Growth – Highlights and Trends 2006 in conjunction with Local Government and Planning Minister Andrew Fraser.
The report documents population changes for the twelve months to June 2005.
During that time the state grew 2.3 per cent to 3,977,052 an increase of 88,975 from births, people moving from interstate and overseas immigrants.
There were 52,092 new babies in that time which is a record number of births for Queensland.
A high number of new migrants, 570 per week, contributed to the rapid
population growth, along with 600 people per week moving from interstate.
Premier Beattie said that Queensland’s growth was well above the national average of 1.2 per cent.
“People from other parts of Australia – and indeed the world – continue to be attracted to Queensland because of our warm climate, great outdoor lifestyle and our growing economy,” Mr Beattie said.
South of the Sunshine Coast, Caboolture Shire has grown much faster than the state average, recording an increase of 3.3 per cent or 4,238 people.
The report predicts that the shire is set to continue to grow at an average rate of 2.7 per cent annually.
Local Government and Planning Minister Andrew Fraser said that Queensland is fighting the trend of an ageing population.
“The number of people being born in Queensland is more than double the number of people dying,” Mr Fraser said.
“But while the advantages of population growth are many, it also puts pressure on water resources, infrastructure, housing, energy and the environment,” Mr Fraser said.
It comes as little surprise to those living in South-east Queensland that this area remains the most popular destination for people to take up residence.
Mr Fraser said that 70 per cent of the population growth occurred in south-east Queensland.
Almost two thirds of Queenslanders live here and the population continues to grow at a rate over more than 1,000 people per week.
The report stated that the south-east corner’s population increased by around 55,000 people which equates to a city the size of Redcliffe being added to the region.
Bribie Island, off the Sunshine Coast mainland, has not followed the rapid urban development trend which has accompanied the population growth in other areas of South-east Queensland.
Building approvals for new housing had decreased by 33 per cent by June 2006 compared to the previous year.
However, Caboolture Shire Council reports that approvals for non-residential building almost doubled to $20.1 million dollars worth, up 91 per cent from 2005.
During this time the unemployment level dropped from 9.6 per cent in March 2005 to 8.8 per cent in 2006.
However Bribie Island was still well above the shire average of 6.6 per cent unemployment.
It remains to be seen how continued population growth will change South-east Queensland in the future.
Mr Fraser said that the government is preparing for the unprecedented population growth by investing in projects including the Coastal Management Plans and council planning schemes.
“It is absolutely critical that we manage our population growth in the smartest possible ways to ensure our communities remain strong and healthy for future generations,” Mr Fraser said.
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