Published Sunday, 31 August, 2008 at 03:00 PM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Queensland on track for continued growth
New figures painting a picture of Queensland five decades into the future reveal the state will remain Australia’s economic powerhouse, attracting a record number of interstate and overseas migrants.
Releasing the population projections today, Premier Anna Bligh and Treasurer Andrew Fraser said the publication Population Projections to 2056: Queensland Statistical Divisions shows that the state’s population could reach eight million in under fifty years.
“A decade of solid business growth, record government investment in infrastructure and services and improvements to productivity mean the state has evolved as a major player on the national and world stage,’’ Ms Bligh said.
“It’s never been a secret that Queensland is a great place to live and work.
“It’s always been obvious to this government that the state has extremely strong growth – both in economically and demographically.
‘’That’s why we’ve channelled so much time, energy and money into planning for the future.
“But you can never have too much information and this publication is an invaluable blueprint for our future development programs.”
Mr Fraser said it was imperative the government of today plan for the Queensland of tomorrow.
“This was the reason I announced record spending on our key front-line delivery areas in the budget earlier this year,” Mr Fraser said.
“We need to ensure we continue to deliver our services and improvements to residents throughout the state.”
Mr Fraser said the Population Projections publication shows Queensland’s population will increase from 4.1 million in 2006 to almost 6 million within 20 years and will reach a milestone of 8 million by 2056.
“This is a growth rate of between 2.2 per cent and 2.3 per cent each year to 2011,” he said.
“Along with having record low unemployment levels - making the state attractive to interstate and international migrants - we are also in the midst of a baby boom, as I have long been saying.”
The Population Projections publication also confirms the Queensland population is ageing – with the number of older Queenslanders expected to more than double by 2031.
‘’Interestingly the number of children in Queensland is also projected to increase by 33 per cent to 1.1 million,” Mr Fraser said.
Mr Fraser said the changing demographic would have implications for the make up of the Queensland workforce.
‘’Both of these factors need to be taken into account when planning for the future – and the future of our workforce.”
Ms Bligh said the population projections also highlight the fact that while Brisbane still has strong growth, an increasing number of people still want a “sea-change’’ or “tree-change’’.
“This is precisely why we developed our South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan – to ensure we keep moving in the right direction.
“The data suggests that more than four million people will be living in south-east Queensland by 2031.
“The number of people on the Gold Coast is expected to rise from 12.7 per cent of Queensland’s population to 14.1 per cent.
“Significantly, while western areas of the state are expected to have small growth, Mackay’s population is expected to rise to more than 255,000.
“With that in mind, I urge all Queensland councils to examine this document thoroughly and use it to assist them when planning for the future of their towns and regions.’’
The Population Projections report is published by Queensland Treasury’s Office of Economic and Statistical Research and is available at http://www.oesr.qld.gov.au/
Media Contact Chris Taylor 0419 710 874
Releasing the population projections today, Premier Anna Bligh and Treasurer Andrew Fraser said the publication Population Projections to 2056: Queensland Statistical Divisions shows that the state’s population could reach eight million in under fifty years.
“A decade of solid business growth, record government investment in infrastructure and services and improvements to productivity mean the state has evolved as a major player on the national and world stage,’’ Ms Bligh said.
“It’s never been a secret that Queensland is a great place to live and work.
“It’s always been obvious to this government that the state has extremely strong growth – both in economically and demographically.
‘’That’s why we’ve channelled so much time, energy and money into planning for the future.
“But you can never have too much information and this publication is an invaluable blueprint for our future development programs.”
Mr Fraser said it was imperative the government of today plan for the Queensland of tomorrow.
“This was the reason I announced record spending on our key front-line delivery areas in the budget earlier this year,” Mr Fraser said.
“We need to ensure we continue to deliver our services and improvements to residents throughout the state.”
Mr Fraser said the Population Projections publication shows Queensland’s population will increase from 4.1 million in 2006 to almost 6 million within 20 years and will reach a milestone of 8 million by 2056.
“This is a growth rate of between 2.2 per cent and 2.3 per cent each year to 2011,” he said.
“Along with having record low unemployment levels - making the state attractive to interstate and international migrants - we are also in the midst of a baby boom, as I have long been saying.”
The Population Projections publication also confirms the Queensland population is ageing – with the number of older Queenslanders expected to more than double by 2031.
‘’Interestingly the number of children in Queensland is also projected to increase by 33 per cent to 1.1 million,” Mr Fraser said.
Mr Fraser said the changing demographic would have implications for the make up of the Queensland workforce.
‘’Both of these factors need to be taken into account when planning for the future – and the future of our workforce.”
Ms Bligh said the population projections also highlight the fact that while Brisbane still has strong growth, an increasing number of people still want a “sea-change’’ or “tree-change’’.
“This is precisely why we developed our South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan – to ensure we keep moving in the right direction.
“The data suggests that more than four million people will be living in south-east Queensland by 2031.
“The number of people on the Gold Coast is expected to rise from 12.7 per cent of Queensland’s population to 14.1 per cent.
“Significantly, while western areas of the state are expected to have small growth, Mackay’s population is expected to rise to more than 255,000.
“With that in mind, I urge all Queensland councils to examine this document thoroughly and use it to assist them when planning for the future of their towns and regions.’’
The Population Projections report is published by Queensland Treasury’s Office of Economic and Statistical Research and is available at http://www.oesr.qld.gov.au/
Media Contact Chris Taylor 0419 710 874