Significant population growth in Beaudesert and surrounds has prompted renewed calls for greater investment in local services and infrastructure.
New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows the population of postcode 4285 was up 36 per cent to 21,763 (2021 Census), from 13,870 (2001 Census).
This is an increase of 1516 people, or 6.9 per cent, since the 2016 Census.
The 4285-postcode area stretches south of Beaudesert to Chinghee Creek, north to Cedar Vale, west to Kooralbyn and east to Biddaddaba.
The increase of 7893 people in the last 20 years is almost equivalent to Beaudesert and surrounds absorbing the population of Tamborine Mountain (the suburb of Tamborine Mountain recorded 8105 in the 2021 Census).
Member for Scenic Rim Jon Krause called for greater investment in public assets.
“There is a dire need for better roads into and across our region, not just because of new housing that has come about, but even more vitally to encourage new businesses to set up,” he said.
“We’re a part of southeast Queensland, and to create new jobs and businesses for new residents as we grow, we need investment in core infrastructure that connects us into the rest of SEQ.
“The same applies to services – especially hospital services, but also skills training and allied health services. It was a huge step when the LNP Government restored maternity and other services to Beaudesert Hospital in 2014, but more could and should be done at the hospital. Sending more and more people into Logan, the PA or the Gold Coast hospital is just not sustainable.”
He said Beaudesert had been left behind.
“These issues have arisen over a long period where growth has been allowed to occur without sufficient planning and spending on public assets. Unfortunately, we are playing catch up and I’ll keep on lobbying to get more dollars spent in our region to bridge this gap.”
The local population increase reflects a significant national population increase, with the ABS reporting Australia has doubled in size over the last 50 years.
For more detailed information about Beaudesert and surrounds in the 2021 Census, visit https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/POA4285
