08 October 2009 Population Boom Set To Hit Coastal Areas



Revised estimates of Australia's population growth over the next 40 years could have dire implications for Australia's coastal communities, according to the National Sea Change Taskforce executive member Cr Debbie Blumel.



And Cr Blumel warns that taskforce research shows that further increases in the rate of population migration to coastal communities is unlikely to be socially, economically or environmentally sustainable.



"The revised Treasury projections indicate the national population will increase to 35 million by 2049. This is 7 million higher than previously thought and 13 million higher than the current population," said Cr Blumel.



"The National Sea Change Taskforce represents non-metropolitan coastal councils around Australia and it has done the maths.



"After analysing the estimates, which were prepared by Federal Treasury, the Taskforce believes the increased population is most likely to head for coastal areas and has the potential to increase the size of coastal communities by up to 90 per cent.



"And let's not forget that these communities are the most vulnerable to the environmental impacts of climate change.



"Our analysis shows that the capital cities are unlikely to be able to accommodate the population boom due to the effects of the drought on their water supplies and geographical constraints.



"At the same time, people are leaving inland Australia in droves. There has been a population decline of 30 per cent from inland Australia in the past three years. It is difficult to see how that can be reversed in the short-term as it is largely being driven by the drought.



"These new figures are a wake-up call for all of us. It's time to re-think our future.



"A 90 per cent population increase could devastate our fragile coastal environments and will not necessarily improve community health and well-being.



"We need to reflect on what sort of society we want. If enough people say 'We're interested in quality rather than quantity', and elect the sort of political representatives who are committed to social sustainability, then we can influence the likely course of events.



"That's why I have moved a Notice of Motion for the Ordinary Meeting today suggesting that Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay Councils work together with the National Sea Change Taskforce to play a leadership role by developing policy proposals to put to the Federal and state governments.



"These proposals would be aimed at reducing the impact of growth on coastal communities and would include, among other things, the issues of carrying capacity, the economic and social drivers of settlement patterns and the provision of social services and infrastructure.



"Let's start with what's important. Planning to understand the carrying capacity of our region and to provide services associated with growth is a matter of great urgency and will require an entirely new collaborative approach by the three spheres of government."



About the National Sea Change Taskforce

The National Sea Change Taskforce was established in 2004 as a national body to represent the interests of coastal councils and communities experiencing the effects of rapid population and tourism growth. It currently has more than 60 member councils in all Australian states.

Web -- www.seachangetaskforce.org.au