Bernard Salt says Moreton Bay Region has exciting future ahead

DATA alone doesn’t tell a story, but Australia’s leading demographer says the numbers in Moreton Bay are adding up to an exciting future … provided we plan right.

Demographer Bernard Salt speaking at the Business Conference Series Lunch at Dolphin Stadium, Redcliffe. Photo: Dominika Lis

SOCIAL media might have blindsided Bernard Salt with the fallout from his now infamous “smashed avo” article, but numbers have never caught him by surprise.

And he’s not surprised by the trends in the Moreton Bay Region towards a positive economic and social evolution.

The futurist launched the 2018 Moreton Bay Region Business Conference Series at Dolphin Stadium in an optimistic keynote address about our “growing, diverse and aspirational” region.

“Moreton Bay has become a substantial economic force in its own right, with a Gross Regional Product of $17.3 billion,” Bernard told the audience.

“We’ve seen a number of big picture, gutsy projects undertaken to change this region’s future and fortunes – particularly the university precinct and delivery of the Moreton Bay Rail Link (Redcliffe Peninsula Line). These lay the foundations for future prosperity – the university in particular is an essential gamechanger for your economy.

“Moreton Bay must remain flexible to future-proof local job opportunities; contrary to the national trend there has been only modest job growth here in the professional services sector, but I expect the opening of the university in Petrie to correct this.

“Migration and knowledge work underpin job opportunities in Moreton Bay, so expect population growth and multiculturalism to continue to intensify across the region over the next 10-15 years.”

But his rosy forecasts came with a blunt warning about the need to address congestion and housing affordability now.

“Moreton Bay will be home to hundreds of thousands more people in the decades ahead, so you will need more affordable housing and it will need to be a competitive product,” he said. “That means providing access to a diverse range of lifestyle options from high-rise to low-rise housing, McMansions and townhouses.”

Former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard is the guest speaker at the next Moreton Bay Region Business Conference Series event on May 25 at the Eatons Hill Hotel. For more information or to buy tickets, visit businessmoretonbayregion.com.au

MORETON BAY BY NUMBERS

Gross Regional Product: $17.3 billion

Current Population: 438,000

Population by 2050: 700,000

Workforce: 118,800

Biggest jobs growth: Strathpine, Brendale, Caboolture, Mango Hill and North Lakes

Number of businesses: 25,000, which is the sixth highest for a local government area in Australia

■ The fastest-growing age group during the next 10 years will be 35-39

■ North Lakes is Queensland’s fastest-growing area (2016 ABS census)

■ Top five nationalities are United Kingdom, New Zealand, China, India and Philippines