Sunshine Coast growth starting to slow

Population growth on the Sunshine Coast is coming off its peak according to new State Government figures.

Deputy Premier Paul Lucas and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Paul Lucas told State Parliament today that updated statewide population projections for 2006 to 2031 showed a projected 1.7% annual growth rate – well down on the average annual growth rate of 2.4% in the five years to June 2006.

“The slow-down in the Sunshine Coast’s growth rate is even more pronounced,” Mr Lucas said.

“The Sunshine Coast is expected to grow around 2.1% each year between 2006 to 2031 compared to a 3.4% annual growth rate in the 10 years to June 2006.”

Mr Lucas said while Queensland’s population was expected to reach almost 6.3 million by 2031, the growth rate was set to decline.

“In the five years to June 2006, Queensland’s average annual population growth was 2.4%. But population projections for the 25 year period to 2031 show a lower average annual growth rate of 1.7%.

“By 2012 we expect to have reached the peak of the cycle with projections showing an easing of the growth rate back to 2% by 2013 and then to 1.5% in 2021.”

Mr Lucas said Ipswich was expected to be the state’s fastest growing local government area in the next 25 years with an average annual growth rate of 4.6%.

In Brisbane City, growth is expected to be just under 1% per annum to 2031.

And like the Sunshine Coast – growth on the Redlands is also in decline. Projections for Redlands show while it had growth of 2.5% a year in the 10 years to June 2006, expected annual growth in the 25 years to 2031 is expected to drop to 1.5%.

“This shows our strategy to direct most of our growth to the western corridor is working,” Mr Lucas said.

“And we’re backing growth in the western corridor with a massive investment in infrastructure."

Mr Lucas said the figures would be provided to councils for future planning purposes.

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