.id insight / July Edition

 

What the Gold Coast tells us about growth and the impact on future planning   Across the country, land supply constraints are becoming more common. They are reshaping how and where cities and regions grow. The Gold Coast is a clear example. Nearly 700,000 people call it home today. It’s on track for one million residents, having added 150,000 in the last decade. But greenfield land is running out. This isn’t just a local challenge. It’s a preview of what many regions across the country are starting to face. When land runs out, demand doesn’t disappear. It shifts into neighbouring areas, higher-density development or places where delivery is still viable. These pressures aren’t just about fast growth. Flooding, bushfire risk, feasibility and policy settings are also limiting supply in more places. This shift has big implications: Councils need to understand the best use of land and work with all levels of government, residents and the private sector in their community’s long-term interest. Utilities must identify where and when to invest in essential services. Transport infrastructure, including roads, rail and public services, must relieve current pressures and prepare for future demand. Social infrastructure, such as healthcare, education and training, must scale and adapt to changing communities. These changes are shaped by shifts in age and life stage. Developers need early signals about where viable opportunities remain. Retailers need to understand how this affects their networks and growth plans. Throughout, we must plan for jobs and economic opportunity alongside population growth and change. Our forecasts reflect these pressures. They don’t just model population growth. They account for land availability, policy and development feasibility to show where people are most likely to live. Getting this right supports sustainable growth. Getting it wrong creates risk and cost. The Gold Coast is a case study, but it is not the only one.

Rob Hall Chief Economist .id (informed decisions)

Insights recap Enjoy these highlights from the .id blog and beyond over the past month.

Gold Coast forecast reveals unprecedented growth challenge Our latest forecast explores the Gold Coast, one of Australia’s most dynamic urban centres. With land for expansion running out, its bold plan to reach one million residents by 2046 marks a historic planning and housing turning point. See the analysis here: Explore Gold Coast forecast →

Migration slowdown eases Australia's rapid population growth New data to Dec 2024 shows Australia’s population still growing, but the pace is slowing. After record migration in 2022–24, overseas arrivals are easing, putting the brakes on our fastest growth phase in decades.   Read the full article →

Case study | Using Community Views to shape Clarence 2035   Clarence Valley Council used .id’s Community Views to shape Clarence 2035, a bold, community-led vision. Insights from local voices now on views.id support policy, advocacy and IPR across housing, health, climate and more, while tracking change over time. Read the case study →

FNQ Roadshow revealed economic trends and local priorities .id’s Greg Bowden joined RDA Tropical North and key agencies to deliver economic briefings across Cook, Hope Vale, Douglas, Cairns and Yarrabah councils, unpacking macro trends, cost-of-living, housing and growth challenges, to help leaders and businesses plan for the future.

New resources

Here are some of the new resources we've made available in the last month. Register here to be notified whenever we add new data or features to our Government Toolkit.  City of Hobart | economic profile Hay Shire Council | community profile Hay Shire Council | economic profile See our New Data and Features page to learn more about new data we've added and improvements we've made to our online tools in the last month.

How can we support your work?