Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Campbell Newman is an optimistic man.  In a lunchtime talk today at the University of Queensland’s downturn offices on Queen St, Mr Newman argued that the population challenges the greater Brisbane region is facing over the next two decades are no greater than those faced over the previous two decades.  In terms of population growth rates, he’s right, according to the Qld Govt population projections.

Over the twenty years to 2006, the greater Brisbane region grew at an average annual rate of 2.1%, with the population increasing from 1.194 million in 1986 to 1.820 million in 2006.  Over the twenty five years from 2006 to 2031, greater Brisbane’s population is projected to grow to 2.727 million at an average annual rate of 1.6%.

So the population is growing at a slower rate than it did before, and the absolute increase in population is broadly comparable with what we’ve already coped with.  Of course, some will object to Mr Newman’s view on the grounds that the higher numbers will place a greater burden on the environment and result in more high-rise development and a loss of amenity for existing residents.

Certainly Brisbane and surrounding councils will face big challenges in managing the projected growth.  It’s good to know they are being led by a Lord Mayor with a positive, can do attitude.

Other issues the Lord Mayor discussed included the Commonwealth Government’s new interest in city planning issues.  Mr Newman made the frank observation (for a Liberal Lord Mayor) that the Howard Government really wasn’t that interested in these issues, preferring to leave them to the States and local governments.

While praising the current Commonwealth Government for its interest in city planning issues, Mr Newman noted it has to adopt a more consultative approach with local governments and the States, instead of a Canberra-knows-best attitude – an attitude which is questionable based on Canberra’s recent experience running school building and home insulation programs.