JOBS will be harder to find in outlying cities in the next 25 years as the population explodes, and southeast Queensland mayors are worried an influx of jobs in Brisbane’s CBD will put tremendous pressure on transport infrastructure.
Between now and 2041 Brisbane’s population is expected to rise by 35 per cent to add 409,000 people, with a projected 458,000 new jobs, according to the draft South East Queensland Regional Plan.
Ipswich will experience a similar population growth with 327,000 new residents, but only 65,000 new jobs. Logan is set to grow by 277,000 people and just 70,000 new jobs.
At a Property Council forum yesterday, Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk, Logan Mayor Luke Smith and Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale agreed the State Government needed to improve networks to get people to and from work.
Cr Quirk said improved infrastructure was key to winning community support for development.
“(The community has) got to be comforted in the knowledge that infrastructure and their capacity to get around will be in place,” Cr Quirk said.
Last week Deputy Premier Jackie Trad and Cr Quirk argued over the draft plan, with Ms Trad questioning the council’s use of infrastructure charges from developers.
Cr Quirk yesterday said the council had spent “billions” on what should have been state infrastructure projects in the past decade.
Cr Pisasale said public transport in southeast Queensland was inadequate and upgrades to roads and rail were needed. The State Government has said it would update the State Infrastructure Plan to reflect the SEQ Regional Plan.
Property Council Queensland executive director Chris Mountford said policies and infrastructure needed to “activate the suburban community” and allow more housing near existing employment hubs.
“Brisbane’s CBD will always be the principal employment hub for southeast Queensland, but to ensure a balanced region and to keep downward pressure on infrastructure costs it makes sense to unlock greater levels of employment in our suburban areas,” he said.
“To achieve a sustainable region, we need more jobs closer to homes.”
Mr Mountford said increased transparency in the way councils spend developer infrastructure charges would attract investment.
Scott Trenoweth, who runs Thunderbox Industries in Logan, said the city was a great place to do business.
“Logan is based in the crossroads of an amazing network of highways, making it the best location for transport in Australia,” he said.
“The Logan area has helped with our costs and efficiencies with its great infrastructure including power and natural gas.
Original Published at: http://www.couriermail.com.au/