(Australian
Bureau of Statistics, 2010)
Since
the mid- 2000s Australia’s population has increased at an average rate of around
2% per year, faster than at any other time in the past several decades and
faster than nearly all of the developed countries. This is mainly due to
natural increase ( the number of births minus the number of deaths) and net
overseas migration. Although the fertility rate (the number of births) has also
increased the Net overseas migration has been the main driver to the population
growth in Australia. Recent increase in immigation has led in government
succession towards the benefits of economic growth and nation building goals.
(Australian
Bureau of Statistics, 2012)
As
patterns of a growing population continues within Australia at a rate of 22, 708 ,084 from today, future assumptions
for the upcoming future shows likewise. Australia’s Bureau of statistics reveal
population projections based on a particular set of assumptions showing what
would happen to Australia’s population in the next 50 to 100 years.
The analysis is
divided into three main series of possible future population growth (see table
below): high (Series A), medium (Series B) and low (Series C). Series C (as the lowest) depicts an
expectancy of 32 million by 2051, which is relatively high, an increase of
about forty per cent.
(Australian
Bureau of Statistics, 2010)
(Australian
Bureau of Statistics, 2010)
Although as future population projections shows Brisbane at
only the third highest, Queensland from today has the largest increase in
population whilst New South Wales had the greatest share of net overseas migrants,
due to internal migration. Queensland’s population increased by over half a
million or 29% of the Australian population growth, which counts Queensland as
one of the state’s highest population growth rate centres.
Overall, the government knows that drastically cutting
migration will result in negative political and economic impact. A plan to cap
the population down to 26 million will become a recipe for environmental
devastation, rising interest rates and unaffordable housing. Fundamentally as
architects we need to be very aware of these future conditions and we must
pursue responsive designs for improving infrastructure not only for today but
to also consider its impact in the future.
(TechPatio, 2012)
We must acknowledge that the already congested roads and
trains will continually be exposed to an increase of the growing
population. This strain on society’s
transport calls for a new strategy rather than opting with the current
situation. We need a new design approach such as more suburbs or denser
suburbs. We may need more hospitals, schools, libraries and supermarkets. We
need to consider new ideas for sources of energy and new ways to efficiently
use power and water. Predominately, we will need a more creative way of living
to protect our natural environment.
(The Daily Telegraph, 2010)
(Index Mundi, n.d)
References
-
Australian Bureau
of Statistics. (2010). Population Growth; Past, Present and Future. Retrieved
August 23, 2012, from http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/
lookup/4102.0main+features10jun+2010
-
Australian Bureau
of Statistics. (2012). Population Growth. Retrieved August 23, 2012, from http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/CaSHome.nsf/Home/GEO+06+%E2%80%93+Population+Growth.es
-
Index Mundi.
(n.d). Population Growth (annual%). Retrieved August 23, 2012, from http://www.indexmundi.com/facts/indicators/SP.POP.GROW
-
News.com.au.
(2012). Australian Population is Double the World Average. Retrieved August 23,
2012, from http://www.news.com.au/national-old/australian-population-has-reached-22-million-abs-statistics-show/story-e6frfkvr-1225845408880
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