Logan City Council fees won’t cover the “ever-increasing” costs of future roads, water, sewerage and construction.
And now council has called on the state government to help out.
Mayor Darren Power said Logan City Council welcomed the population boom predicted to hit the city in the next 20 years but called on the Queensland government to deliver the “essential infrastructure” to accommodate the surge.
In its latest plan for south-east Queensland’s future, titled ShapingSEQ, the government predicted Logan’s population to grow by 311,300 by 2046, almost doubling in just over 20 years.
ShapingSEQ outlined a framework for the region’s land supply, housing choices, employment opportunities, environmental and amenity factors, and lifestyle choices.
Council said it would aim to meet the “ambitious” targets outlined in the plan, but needed to be supported by “critical infrastructure to maintain the region’s liveability”.
“Emerging neighbourhoods need not only roads, water and sewerage but also social infrastructure such as community centres, libraries and sports fields,” Cr Power said
“Unfortunately, infrastructure charges levied to developers are capped by the Queensland government and do not cover the ever-increasing costs for council of delivering the essentials.
“As elected members, we often have to find the balance between overcommitting our limited financial resources and making sure our suburbs have what they need at the right time.
“Equally, the Queensland government needs to continue delivering infrastructure to support transport and jobs.”
Council is preparing a submission for the plan and have requested access to the government’s modelling to validate population targets – which anticipates almost six million people will live in south-east Queensland by 2046.
Council’s submission to the plan will cover population projections and affordable housing targets, and increased employment opportunities required in Logan.
It will also address infrastructure, including major road upgrades and public transport, and proposed planning regulation amendments that council says could have “negative impacts on industrial developments”.
Cr Power said local government was only one part of the growth and development chain, with economic factors also contributing to population targets.
“We know the development industry is struggling across the region at the moment, so council is very interested to see how the government believes we can meet the projections over the next 23 years,” he said.
“I encourage everyone to read the Queensland government’s latest updates and provide input before September 20 because it’s important that all of our community’s voices are heard.
“I also call on our local state MPs to ensure the government considers all submissions. This is far too important to get wrong.”
Council will also need to align its new draft planning scheme, which will be lodged for a mandatory state interest review later this month.
