Capitalise on boom

THE latest growth figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics again prove what Gold Coasters have known for decades – this city is the perfect place to live.

In the past year, domestic and international migrants are double that of a rapidly growing Sunshine Coast and outstrip Brisbane as the Glitter Strip welcomes the equivalent of the population of Mermaid Beach every six months.

People are drawn to the Gold Coast lifestyle, whether it be the purity of its beaches or Hinterland.

But as prominent demographer Bernard Salt warned six years ago services such as health, roads and police must keep pace with the booming population to ensure that quality of life remains.

Mr Salt had another go early last year, delivering a clear and simple message to the Gold Coast: Forget wish lists, stop dreaming and get on with planning to cope with the problems a city of 1.2 million people over the next 35 years will bring.

What this city is experiencing is a good problem to have. People want to live here, many of whom have sold up from down south – popping the cork on the Sydney property bubble and bringing residual cash with them. However, the perfect storm is creating pressure points. Compounded by record-breaking tourism numbers, our roads and police service already are struggling to meet demand.

The M1 is a car park federal and state politicians cannot find agreement on, traffic is gridlocked on supporting arteries, stage three of the light rail is still up in the air, and cops are being moved from Surfers Paradise to fill the void in Coomera, the hub to one of the country’s fastest-growing areas, where crime has escalated.

Already, it is costing the Coast productivity and will only worsen as more and more people arrive.

The city is a shining light for both the state and federal governments, generating millions as construction, education and tourism havens, but the goodwill must be returned so the growth we are experiencing can be maximised.