THE Sunshine Coast’s population has passed 330,000, rising 35,000 in less than four years.

That number is the equivalent of two towns the size of Gympie.

Expected growth over the next 20 years will lift the population to 515,000, higher than the Gold Coast is now.

Greenfield sites at Caloundra South-Bellvista, Palmview and Maroochydore would accommodate a minimum 67,000 if the State Government does not alter its growth direction.

There is also allowance for a combined 25,000 in greenfield areas at Kawana and Beerwah and a further 128,000 through existing development approvals and planning scheme capacity.

Data released this week showed the Coast’s population was 295,000 at the 2006 Census, climbing to 312,000 by 2008.

The Sunshine Coast council has commissioned consultants to undertake a lot-by-lot analysis to look at the population potential for the whole of the region.

Chief planning officer Warren Bunker told the council’s Sustainability Advisory Taskforce that the analysis would provide a population model by May.

On Wednesday, population policy advocate Kelvin Thompson, the Federal Labor member for the Victorian seat of Wills, said growth brought problems and rather than solving the housing affordability crisis simply made it harder for people to buy a home.

Mr Thompson will speak at a Sustainable Population Forum at Kawana on Sunday.

He heads a line up that includes Coast Mayor Bob Abbot, Professor Tor Hundloe from Bond University, Dr Jane Sullivan from Sustainable Population Australia and author of Overloading Australia, Mark O’Connor

Sponsored by Sunshine Coast Environment Council and South-East Queensland conservation groups, it will provide an opportunity for those concerned about rapid population growth to hear what can be done.

Mr Thompson said it had been shown over a long period in Australia that increasing supply was not the answer to addressing housing affordability.

He proposes reducing demand by cutting Australia’s immigration intake to 70,000, annually, ending the skilled migration intake, and ending the $1.4 billion baby bonus and instead invest the money in education. Mr Thompson said rather than importing skilled labour, Australia should boost training to deliver those skills from its existing population.

The free forum will be held at Lake Kawana Community Centre from 2pm to 4.30pm on Sunday.