Townsville’s strong growth fuels demand for housing, jobs

Population and economic growth in North Queensland will be a major focus of the Townsville Community Cabinet meeting, Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Paul Lucas said today.

Mr Lucas said the Premier, Cabinet and department heads would be in Ingham and Townsville on Sunday and Monday to hear about the impacts of population and economic growth in the region.

New figures in the Department of Infrastructure and Planning’s ‘Population update No.13’ show Townsville was the second-largest growing local government area in regional Queensland in the year to June 2007.

“The Townsville area is one of the state’s regional powerhouses,” Mr Lucas said.

“Townsville City, including Thuringowa, grew by 2.7% in the year to June 2007. That rate of growth is 26% stronger than it was five years ago.

“Over the same time, the city’s population grew by over 4500 people, accounting for a sixth of regional Queensland’s growth.”

Mr Lucas said population growth across the newly amalgamated council was being managed under the Townsville-Thuringowa Strategy Plan.

The plan, revised last year, identifies Rocky Springs as a potential site for an integrated urban community providing housing, jobs and retail outlets.

“New developments such as the proposed Rocky Springs master-planned community, 15km southeast of the Townsville CBD, are crucial to managing growth in the region,” Mr Lucas.

“Over the next two decades, Townsville’s population is set to increase by over 80,000 people, which will create demand for more housing and jobs. Properly planned projects will be critical in helping to meet this demand.”

“Rocky Springs developers Delfin Lend Lease have submitted plans to create a new master-planned community, which will include a sub-regional centre to service the 35,000 people expected to move in over the next 30 years.

“The Rocky Springs development was designated a controlled action by the Federal Government, requiring Delfin to embark on an environmental impact study (EIS).”

Mr Lucas said the project would be the first in Queensland to be assessed under the Integrated Planning Act EIS process.

“The process allows for a more in-depth analysis of infrastructure requirements, as well as the environment, economic and social impacts,” Mr Lucas said.

The developers are due to submit their draft EIS shortly. It will be assessed by the Department of Infrastructure and Planning before undergoing a state agency check. The final EIS will be released for public consultation.

“The Townsville City Council will also use the final EIS to help them assess the proponent’s development application,” said Mr Lucas.

“If Rocky Springs is approved, the first houses could be on the market by 2012.”

For a copy of the Townsville–Thuringowa Strategy Plan and/or Population Update No. 13, visit www.dip.qld.gov.au.

Media inquiries: Robert Hoge 0419 757 868 or Matthew Klar 0437 435 223