What life will be like living in South East Queensland in 2050

A new report has looked into what life will be like living in South East Queensland in 2050. This is what we can expect. VOTE IN OUR POLL

Future development in South East Queensland will home in on advancing transport and fast-tracking technology to avoid congestion and accommodate the population which is expected to nearly double in the next 20 to 25 years.

The new report from the Committee of Brisbane, SEQ 2050: A Vision for Transport and Mobility, has created a concept of how the southeast region will develop in the coming decades, including listing future job opportunities and transport options.

According to the report, jobs in 2050 will include drone pilots, driverless transport operators, space tourism agents, AI specialists and urban farmers.

Meanwhile, future transport options will see aerial ride sharing, autonomous vehicles, drone delivery, on demand shuttles and trackless trams be on offer.

As for housing, Queenslanders in separate homes are set to decrease from 71 per cent today to 66 per cent in 2050, while semi-detached housing options are expected to see the biggest rise from 12 per cent to 18 per cent.

With 79 per cent of the state’s whole projected population expected to be living in South East Queensland by 2050, the report highlighted four key vision points to help avoid congestion, pollution and economic disadvantage.

CEO of the Committee of Brisbane Barton Green said the key points considered what aspects of transport, connectivity and mobility needed attention to maintain the South East lifestyle in 2050.

“Limiting the number of vehicle-based trips people need to make, through the concept of the 15-minute community, separating heavy freight from passenger vehicles, fast-tracking technology and facilitating the uptake of zero-emission vehicles were the aspects we decided would make significant, positive contributions to our transport and mobility future,” he said.

The proposed 15-minute communities would reduce unnecessary congestion on roads by ensuring communities had all services and amenities within a quick drive, walk or ride from home.

With less public transport on major routes, dedicated lanes on the road would then be set aside for freight, autonomous vehicles and active transport options for more efficient travel.

With a specific focus on freight movement, the report looked at running freight on dedicated lanes in major corridors, while smaller packages would harnessing new modes of transport such as drone delivery.

Meanwhile, fast tracked technology and sustainability was also at the forefront of the report with electric vehicles, affordable ride-sharing and e-mobility options also helping to improve mobility and efficiency on roads.

Mr Green said the region faced an “enormous challenge” in the next 25 years when almost four in every five Queensland residents would live in South East Queensland.

“We have the benefit of a solid foundation to build on in SEQ, but meeting the transport and mobility challenges will require nimbleness of thinking and policymaking, and strategic responses to how and where people want to live, work and play,” he said.