Gladstone Observer, Gladstone QLD
26 May 2012
QUEENSLANDERS have revealed a population increase to northern Australia would be a good thing.
The study, done by Newspoll for the Institute of Public Affairs, revealed 58% of Queenslanders said a population increase to North Australia would be a good thing, with only 19% of people suggesting it would be a bad thing.
This comes amid community displeasure with Gladstone’s resources boom, which has put strain on the retail, housing and industrial sectors.
The poll also found 63% of Australians would be in support of higher population in Northern Australia, with 71% and 65% of respondents in Western Australia and New South Wales agreeing respectively.
“Queenslanders know that a prosperous North Australia will benefit the whole country,” John Shipp, director of the North Australia project, said.
“They want policies put in place that stimulate economic and population growth in under-developed areas.”