Southeast Queensland is the place to live.
With an enviable outdoor lifestyle and a jump in interstate migration on the back of COVID 19 our state has seen a sharp rise in growth, in particular Southeast Queensland.
In our own backyard our growth over the next decade and beyond is unprecedented.
Our current population of 350,000 is expected to top 500,000 within the next decade.
It makes us one of the fastest growing cities in Australia, but it also presents challenges, especially in the planning sector.
I am acutely aware of the challenges that our region faces with managing growth in the face of inflated costs and an increasing number of people wanting to make this beautiful part of Australia their home.
Growth brings many benefits, such as increased economic activity, job opportunities, and vibrant communities.
However, it also presents challenges, such as increased demand for housing, transportation, and infrastructure.
While we are working hard on the Logan Plan 2025, which will guide good growth across the city for another 10 years we also need the support of other levels of government, in particular the Queensland Government’s South East Queensland regional plan – ShapingSEQ.
In the City of Logan is growing, since 2018, more than 3000 new lots have been created in Logan each year, peaking at almost 4000 in 2022.
The Queensland government is preparing a SEQ Regional Plan that will likely impose higher housing targets on city. However, to maintain and improve the liveability of Logan’s communities, as well as housing targets this plan needs to address hard and social infrastructure and services.
Social infrastructure such as healthcare facilities and libraries are essential for making those areas attractive for young people.
We need some assistance from the state, if we are carrying the load and doing the heavy lifting, you must put that social infrastructure into cities like ours to make sure its attractive for people to relocate.
To address these challenges, council officers have been working closely to provide input and feedback to the state on the regional plan to ensure growth is managed in a sustainable and responsible manner.
As a council we are also working to attract new businesses and industries to the region to create more job opportunities and stimulate economic growth.
This will help to ensure that our region remains an attractive place to live and work, and that we can continue to provide the high-quality services and amenities that our residents deserve.
As the mayor I will continue to advocate for a better future for our city.
