Figures showing Gold Coast population is booming raise concerns about infrastructure

THE northern corridor has hit the ground running in 2018 with a property boom and another surge in its population, but we are being warned infrastructure is not keeping up.

Photographs taken by Coomera MP Michael Crandon on off ramps crowding on the northern end of the Pacific Motorway at peak hour

THE northern corridor has hit the ground running in 2018 with a property boom and another surge in its population.

However, business leaders have warned infrastructure is not keeping up and three petitions will be tabled in State Parliament this week to highlight concerns. These include two bus petitions, a petition for three upgrades of the M1 at Exits 41, 45 and 49, as well as a petition for a police station and more police.

The population boom is confirmed by independent property analyst Michael Matusik, whose latest research shows that the number of Gold Coasters has exploded from 163,332 in 1986 to 573,445 in 2016.

This reflects a massive 251 per cent increase over 30 years.

James Weir, of Harcourts Coastal Paradise Point, said his office had notched up sales worth $45 million at Paradise Point and Hope Island in January alone.

Harcourts real estate agent James Weir, who says the northern corridor is experiencing another property boom.

“It’s been an excellent start to 2018 with a record number of sales,” he said. “We’re experiencing a substantial push from local and interstate buyers who are drawn to the lifestyle benefits of living close to the Broadwater.”

Mr Weir said strong demand had sparked fierce competition between buyers, which was pushing prices to record levels and creating great conditions for sellers.

“Quality waterfront, freestanding family homes, duplexes and townhouses are all in short supply in the northern suburbs,” he said. “Interstate and international buyers see excellent value here and it’s a very exciting time for us.”

Mr Weir expected the current boom to be further boosted by potential buyers arriving soon for the Commonwealth Game.

Coomera MP Michael Crandon said the northern corridor was being buoyed by a building boom with the Coomera Town Centre a major contributor.

Member for Coomera Michael Crandon says the population in his electorate leapt by more than 20 per cent in the past year.

“There has also been a massive growth in population, which was confirmed by an increase in the number of voters at Coomera at the last election,” he said.

In October 2016, his electorate had 30,722 voters and this had risen to 37,009 last year, which equated to an increase of more than 20 per cent or more than 6,000 voters in 12 months.

“This was, by far, the largest increase in any electorate and was followed by a 12 per cent increase in Murrumba on the north side of Brisbane,” Mr Crandon said.

“Our tenth new school in 10 years opened this year and all schools saw increases in enrolments in January but we are not keeping up with infrastructure,” he warned.

The MP said local roads needed to be widened, particularly Yawalpah Rd, and M1 onramps needed an urgent upgrade to stop dangerous ramping back onto the M1.

“Also, our bus services are woefully inadequate, forcing people to drive their own cars,” he said. “Commuters can’t catch a bus to the train station, travel to Brisbane for work and then catch a bus home in the afternoon. The buses don’t run late enough.”

Mr Crandon said train station car parks were full every day, forcing locals to drive to work, adding to congestion on the M1.

“One would think our population growth would see a commensurate increase in police numbers but not so,” he said. “Since late last year, we have 49 general duties police at Coomera police station but we need another 49 just to catch up with population growth.”

The MP said there was also an urgent need for another police station further north.

“I have petitions running for all these issues, which will tabled in the first sitting week of Parliament this week,” he said.