Population Cap Calls Nonsensical: Property Council

Population Cap Calls Nonsensical: Property Council

The Property Council of Australia has today rejected calls for limits to population growth in Queensland.

Property Council Queensland Executive Director Steve Greenwood said "Queenslanders should be very concerned about calls to slow down or cap Queensland.s population growth. .Nowhere in the world is there evidence to show that attempts to limit population growth creates good community outcomes", Mr Greenwood said.

"On the contrary, it is likely that any such attempts will result in disastrous social and economic impacts.

"Proponents for limiting population growth believe that by limiting the supply of new houses and units and land for new business, that people wanting to move to and work in a popular area will simply not be able to do so . and that life for existing residents will continue on happily.

"However the reality is just the opposite; the basic laws of supply and demand kick in and as supply is limited prices go up . and do so significantly.

"If the Queensland community wants to make land so expensive that young couples cannot afford to buy near their parents; that essential service providers such as police, teachers and nurses can.t afford to live where they are needed; that businesses can.t find premises and staff because of the lack of land and high cost of living . then continue to support calls to limit population growth.

"If the Queensland community wants businesses to fail and to move away from Queensland to other less-expensive states; wants unemployment to increase; wants the high cost of home ownership and renting to result in more people losing their homes . then continue to support calls to limit population growth in Queensland.

"The bottom line is that attempts to limit population growth don.t deliver good community outcomes.

"Queensland should ask the obvious questions . show us the evidence that limiting population growth will work? Where has it worked before? What other unintended things could happen?

"Unfortunately, proponents for limiting population growth do not appear to understand or care about the implications of such a move; it is populist politics at best.

"The property and business community is very willing to work with to meet the challenge of Queensland.s population growth.

"We welcome further debate on the issue; however we will not countenance the nonsensical proposal of capping population growth., Mr Greenwood said.

Media enquiries:
Steve Greenwood - Executive Director.
07 3225 3000 / 0488 721 156

SOURCE: Property Council of Australia (QLD)