Still growing and with an eye to the future

Published on 10 January 2017

On current State Government forecasts the population for Rockhampton Regional Council is projected to increase  from approximately 85,700 to 104,100 people by 2036. The data is drawn from the latest set of data released from the Queensland Government Statistician’s Office (QGSO). 

Rockhampton Region Mayor Margaret Strelow says this forecast is lower than previous projections and reflects the pressures of past few years.

“Our agenda is to grow much faster than projected but for sound financial planning and otherwise it is important for councils to keep abreast of official projections,” Mayor Strelow said.

“The QGSO regularly provides forecasts of population and councils use these numbers to help guide major upgrade and investment decisions such as roads, water and sewerage.”

With many regions still showing negative growth Mayor Strelow said the 1.1% was in line with Council's expectations and existing budget predictions and given the scale of Rockhampton Regional Council's existing population, it compared comfortably with the 2.2% projected for Livingstone Shire.

“In real terms, the Rockhampton Regional Council area will grow at 943 persons in the first year and Livingstone Shire will grow 835 persons in the first year, both increasing exponentially thereafter,” she said.

Projections for Livingstone Shire by 2036 is 57,042 persons and for Rockhampton Region 104,100.

In addition to economic impacts, the report tabled at Council today highlights a number of other factors that have contributed to the volatility in recent official forecasts across the State, including a reduction in interstate migration and improved assumptions from both the QGSO and the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Growth for the past decade:

RRC Ten year Growth Rate 1.3%

RRC Five Year Growth Rate  1.4%

LSC Ten Year 2.6%

LSC Five Year 2.4%

2016 to 2036 medium growth series:

RRC 1.1%
LSC 2.2%