According to the ACT Government’s latest population projections, Canberra will host almost 800,000 people by 2060 and Master Builders ACT says homes must be built to house the influx, and quickly.
The latest ACT Treasury population figures show Canberra’s population currently sits at 453,558 persons.
In June 2060, an expected increase of over 330,000 persons will place Canberra’s population at 784,043, rising by 1.4 per cent annually.
MBA: estimates confirm need for residential construction
Master Builders ACT (MBA) said a “massive boost in housing construction” is required to keep up with the boom in population.
MBA CEO Michael Hopkins said: “Between 2016 and 2021, the ABS confirmed that the ACT population grew by 21,000 more people than previous estimates, meaning the ACT needs between 8,500 and 9,000 extra dwellings during this five-year period to accommodate this growth.”
Mr Hopkins is calling on the government to review zoning and planning rules to free up restrictions so houses can be built in existing suburbs.
Additionally, he said the release of the updated Districts Strategies is integral to the industry and community who need to comment on the strategies, based on the latest population statistics.
“With the draft Territory Plan and District Strategies based on the official 2016 population figures, if the past five years of dwelling shortfall is projected forward, Canberra will have a shortage of tens-of-thousands dwellings by 2060 without changes to planning rules,” Mr Hopkins said.
“The draft District Strategies already plan to accommodate growth in the town centres and new suburbs, meaning existing suburbs must be unlocked for redevelopment for ‘missing middle’ housing typologies.
“Existing suburbs are serviced by existing infrastructure such as shops, schools, and public transport, meaning medium density can be accommodated in these areas.”
Liberals: government ‘failed to adequately plan’
Canberra Liberals leader Elizabeth Lee said she’s concerned about the population projections, and the government has “failed to adequately plan” for Canberra’s future.
“It is estimated Canberra will need an extra 100,000 homes by 2050 and we are already well behind where we need to be due to the Labor-Greens government’s failure to prioritise housing, including continually strangling the release of land in the ACT,” Ms Lee said.
Ms Lee also highlighted that Canberra’s northside will nearly double in population, with the inner north to grow by almost 130 per cent while southern suburbs will decline in size.
“It is very concerning that southern suburbs of Canberra are projected to decline in size over the coming years, which follows decades of neglect by Labor and the Greens,” Ms Lee said.
“Last year the Canberra Liberals called for a feasibility study to be conducted that would explore environmental impacts of future housing in West Tuggeranong which was voted down by Labor and the Greens because they have no interest in revitalising the south of Canberra.
“Ultimately all this government is offering to southern Canberra suburbs, is a tram that will not be delivered for decades, will be slower than a properly functioning bus network and will cost billions upon billions with the money to be taken from other key areas such as health, education and city services.
“By not proceeding with the $3 billion tram to Woden, the Canberra Liberals are committed to ensuring all Canberra suburbs are prioritised as they should and not left neglected as they have been for so long under Labor and the Greens.”
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