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Resources growth expected to boost central Qld population

Posted November 28, 2008 11:21:00

Projected growth in the resources sector is expected to fuel continued population growth in central Queensland over the next 25 years.

Ross Barker from the State Department of Infrastructure and Planning has released population projections, and expects to see the Rockhampton region grow from 110,000 to 153,000 by 2031.

Mr Barker says the populations of the Gladstone and Central Highlands regional councils are expected to almost double in the next quarter century.

"Gladstone, its current population is about 56,000, that's expected to grow to about 98,000 by 2031, mainly on the back of the resources boom and the number of major industrial projects mooted for Gladstone," he said.

"In central hghlands, the population's currently about 29,000 growing to about 47,000, related to growth in the coal mine sector."

Tags: population-and-demographics, urban-development-and-planning, gladstone-4680, rockhampton-4700