News
22 May, 2024
Queensland faces growing congestion challenges
Queensland is experiencing its fastest population growth in more than 15 years, with the South East region seeing the most significant increase.
Queensland is experiencing its fastest population growth in more than 15 years, with the South East region seeing the most significant increase. Between 2022 and 2023, the state's population rose by 2.7 per cent, the highest in the nation, driven by more than 120,000 people relocating to the state.
This surge, which includes 87,000 people moving from overseas and 32,000 from interstate, has placed immense pressure on Queensland’s road and transport infrastructure. Daily trips on the state’s network have risen sharply, with net overseas migration now contributing 167,000 daily trips, up from 60,000 in 2019. Interstate migration has also seen a notable increase, with 62,000 daily trips in 2023 compared to 43,000 in 2019.
In response, the Miles Government has committed a record $32.1 billion to upgrade critical transport corridors. However, congestion remains a pressing issue, particularly on key routes like the M1 and Logan Motorway. The government estimates one train can remove more than 600 cars from the road, easing congestion.
To further address demand, the government will allocate over $10 billion to rail and bus projects over the next four years, including initiatives such as the Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail, Beerburrum to Nambour track duplication, and the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail.
Despite these investments, the Premier has called on the federal government to moderate migration levels to ensure Queensland’s infrastructure can keep pace with its growing population.
