How Qld is planning to tackle a population explosion

Moreover, the demographics of the region will undergo a significant change as the area welcomes its new residents.

For example, the proportion of people aged 65 years or older is expected to increase.

The number of one-person households will increase substantially, from 23.4 per cent in 2021 to 40.5 per cent in 2046.

With an accurate gauge of numbers now firmly in view, the state is turning its attention to devising a strategy for dealing with this influx.

The growth projections were released ahead of the state’s SEQ Regional Plan, which is slated to be unveiled for feedback within weeks.

Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles acknowledged that the government had a lot of work to do to ready the region, particularly if it wanted to ensure it maintained the motives that were attracting so many domestic and international migrants.

“Because our population is growing, we need to get ready to build more of the Queensland we love,” he said.

“People are moving to Queensland in droves and who can blame them,” Mr Miles said.

“We’ve seen record levels of net interstate migration and now increasing international immigration”.

Medium- and high-density building, he stated, would be key in meeting the demand for homes.

“To meet the needs of our growing Queensland and ensure we maintain our great lifestyle, we need more housing supply and a better mix of housing options. This means building more units, townhouses and terraces,” he said.

An ageing population in particular requires smaller homes with amenities that are fit for purpose, he noted.

“My elderly neighbour shouldn’t have to clean a four-bedroom, two-storey house. They should be able to downsize to a unit or terrace, without being forced to move away from their community.”

The uptick in sole occupancies is another reason for pursuing high-density building.

“The number of one-person households will increase from 23 to 45 per cent in 2046,” Mr Miles noted.

“So even without counting the massive population increase, we still need more homes to house the same number of people.”

Infrastructure, too, will need record investment to keep up with the needs of the area. So far, the Queensland government has committed to an $88.7 billion four-year statewide building program.

But Mr Miles described the area as poised to rise to the occasion.

“We are in our decade of opportunity. We have a strong economy. We have a 10-year pipeline of infrastructure projects in the lead up to and beyond Brisbane 2032. And we are creating good, secure jobs in the key industries that will help us decarbonise,” he said.

“Why live in Melbourne when you could live in SEQ?”