Hon. Charles Smith questions the state government's stance on Perth's rapid population growth and infrastructure plans, referencing NSW's call for a COAG meeting. The government acknowledges growth projections and existing plans, expressing openness to COAG discussions.

AnsweredQoN 957Legislative Council
Asked
16 October 2018
Portfolio
Planning

QuestionView source ↗

POPULATION GROWTH
957. Hon CHARLES SMITH to the minister representing the
Minister for Planning:
I refer to recent calls by the
Premier of New South Wales for a special meeting of the Council of Australian
Governments to be devoted to the issues of population growth and immigration.
As the minister will be aware, Australia has the fastest rate of population
growth among major developed countries, at nearly nine times the European Union
average. This rapid growth is being driven by the largest per capita
immigration intake in the world. I also refer to the population pressures
predicted to be mounting on Perth.
(1) Does the
state government support the current population trajectory that will see Perth
more than double its population in less than three decades?
(2) Does the
state government have a plan to finance and build the necessary infrastructure
to accommodate this extraordinary population growth?
(3) Does the
state government support a special COAG meeting on population?
(4) If no to (3),
why not?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) The
Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage estimates that approximately 3.5
million people will live in the Perth and Peel regions by 2050.
(2) The government
released the Perth and [email protected] suite of documents to provide strategic
guidance to agencies and departments on planning matters, including
infrastructure investment. The government is committed to and working to
deliver a strong infrastructure program through Metronet.
(3)–(4) The
state government is open to engaging with the federal government and other
states on any issues deemed to be of national importance. However, issues of
the Council of Australian Governments' agenda rest primarily with the
Prime Minister and the Premier.

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