Queensland: Migration Helps Housing Market

Queensland’s population continues to grow by some 1,200 residents per week thanks to overseas and inter-state migration. And while it’s well known that population growth is a major contributor to a healthy economy and solid property market, according to the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) so too is the number of people moving intrastate from one part of Queensland to the other.

A Queensland State Government report released earlier this week, based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006 Census, found that Queensland’s overall population has continued to swell at historic rates of more than 60,000 a year due to interstate and overseas migration.

And analysis of the 2006 Census by the REIQ has also found that 1.3 million moved within Queensland between 2001 and 2006 - making up 74 per cent of all Queensland’s migration.

“While interstate and overseas migration adds to the overall population, it is the migration within Queensland which has the greater impact on the overall distribution of the population,” REIQ managing director Dan Molloy said. “This in turn impacts on each region’s local amenities, housing, infrastructure, and labour force. As each of these economic factors improves to meet the needs of a growing population, it can also serve to attract more people to the area.”

Given their larger population bases, it is little surprise the analysis found Brisbane and the Gold and Sunshine coasts taking out the top three places for intrastate migration.

Brisbane
Over the five years to 2006, about 760,000 people - or 44 per cent of total Queensland migration - moved to or around the Greater Brisbane area. The most popular place proved to be the outer north-west suburbs such as Forest Lake, Upper Kedron, Moggill, and Doolandella where about 100,000 people moved to or around from within Queensland over the period. Southeast outer suburbs and north-west inner suburbs were the next most popular for intrastate migration.

Gold Coast
On the Gold Coast, it was the western suburbs that were the most popular with more than 80,000 people migrating to or around the area from within Queensland.

“People often assume that the coastal strip or eastern suburbs would attract the most new residents. However, it is no doubt the relative affordability and greater variety of properties and amenities available in the western suburbs and hinterland which draws the attention of people moving to the Gold Coast,” Mr Molloy said.

Sunshine Coast
The Sunshine Coast’s coastal strip retains its third popular place with about 75,000 people moving to or around the area from intrastate in the five years to 2006.

Wide Bay-Burnett
Fourth on the list for highest intrastate migration was the Wide Bay-Burnett region, which became home to about 45,000 new residents migrating from other parts of Queensland.

“The Wide Bay-Burnett region continues to be a popular migration destination given its relative affordability and the lifestyle it offers,” Mr Molloy said.

Darling Downs
The Darling Downs rounds out the top five list with nearly 80,000 people moving to or around the region over the five years. About 60,000 of these new residents came from other parts of Queensland.

“People continue to see the Darling Downs as an ideal place to call home for both the local amenities and good employment options. With house prices still well below $300,000 in most of the region’s towns, it is unlikely that its popularity will wane any time soon.”