Gracemere identified as the Region’s biggest growth hot spot
Published on 22 June 2015
Gracemere has become the Region’s hot spot for growth after its population doubled in just ten years since 2004, according to the Queensland Treasury’s Regional Profiles Resident report last month.
The report reveals the growth rate in Gracemere is on the rise again after experiencing a slight decline at the end of the resources boom in 2009.
Rockhampton Region Mayor Margaret Strelow said this is a positive outlook for the future as Council continues to invest and deliver key infrastructure projects in the area.
“Over the past three to four years we have completed a number of infrastructure and lifestyle projects in Gracemere that will accommodate for ongoing growth,” Mayor Strelow said.
“The construction of major infrastructure projects that have laid our foundation for growth include the $50 million Gracemere Overpass to improve road and rail safety for transport servicing the mining sector, the construction of the water pipeline from the Agnes Street Pump Station, and the sewerage pump that has been designed to cater for existing and future development.”
One of the major trends in the report shows 50% of the people living in Gracemere during 2006 had not lived there before and were previously living elsewhere in Queensland.
The report also states that Gracemere’s population grew at an average annual rate of 6.7% between 2004 and 2014 with the average over the last five years a little lower at 5.3%.
With a current estimated population of over 11,000 people and an average growth rate of 3.4%, Gracemere could reach nearly 20,000 people by 2031.
“With our core infrastructure now in place, we are focusing on enhancing the Gracemere community lifestyle itself and we have taken this growth into consideration for future budgets,” she said.
“Gracemere has become a very affordable place to live for families, and over the next twelve months to three years we have plans in place to equip families with essential services and harness economic investment opportunities.
“The re-development of Cedric Archer Park is an exciting project currently underway and Council has also been lobbying for other services to get up off the ground including a Gracemere High School and upgrades to Gracemere’s main street.
“We will continually look at how we can improve and upgrade facilities to ensure Gracemere is an attractive place for people to live and businesses thrive,” she said.