THESE startling images reveal what Australia's "population galaxy" will look like if current trends prevail and the nation reaches 40 million people by 2050.

A band of blazing light sweeping from Far North Queensland to Tasmania demonstrates - in glowing detail - the predicted population density of the east coast. A similar congregation can be seen in southern WA.

But, in keeping with the desire of Australians to live relatively close to the coast, the nation's heart will remain a black hole in terms of population growth.

The pictures might look pretty, but experts warn that if the suburban march continues unchecked, there will be a raft of destructive trends.

Farmland will disappear as cities spread inland, people will be buried on top of each other because of shortages of cemetery space and 70 tonnes of rubbish will be thrown out every day in Sydney.

Professor Steve Simpson, who will present ABC's Great Southern Land: Living On The Edge this Sunday, said growth pressures were already becoming "untenable".

He has discovered an alarming increase in requests for snake catchers because of the spread of suburbia and arable land being concreted over. In terms of burials, he found the only answer was up - even in the city of the dead, Rookwood Necropolis. Gravediggers are digging 2.2m down to stack Muslim family members as "faith adapts to the pressures of the city".

"You either create new urban centres or you have to go up," Prof Simpson said. "We can't continue to spread in the way we are.

media_camera Satellite photo of Sydney

"The transport problem, the infrastructure problems, the degradation of arable land, they are all problems of growing population."

His insight comes as NSW grapples with creating new planning laws that aim to create strategic direction, protecting the environment, while providing enough homes and jobs.

A forum hosted by Planning Minister Brad Hazzard revealed yesterday randomly selected panels could be used to balance the interests.

A people's panel is being used to make budget decisions for Canada Bay City Council.

Mr Hazzard warned the state's 152 councils would have to work together.

Originally published as How Australia will look in 2050