About Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital of Queensland, and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of 2.2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred on Brisbane, encompasses a population of more than 3 million.
In the 2011 census, Brisbane recorded the second highest growth rate of all capital cities since the previous Census, growing by 11.5%.
Brisbane has seen consistent economic growth in recent years as a result of the resources boom. It's Australia’s fastest-growing capital city for employment and offers a great range of opportunities in both the public and private sectors.
Brisbane is one of the major business hubs of Australia. Most major Australian companies, as well as numerous international companies, have contact offices in Brisbane, while numerous electronics businesses have distribution hubs in and around the city. Home grown major companies include Suncorp-Metway Limited, Flight Centre, Sunsuper, Orrcon, Credit Union Australia, Boeing Australia, Donut King, Wotif.com, WebCentral, PIPE Networks, Krome Studios, NetBox Blue, Mincom Limited, TechnologyOne, Thiess Pty Ltd and Virgin Australia are based in Brisbane.
Tourism is an important part of the Brisbane economy, both in its own right and as a gateway to other areas of Queensland. Brisbane is the third-most popular destination for international tourists after Sydney and Melbourne.
Brisbane's population growth placed strains on South East Queensland's transport system. The State Government and Brisbane City Council have responded with infrastructure plans and increased funding for transportation projects, such as the South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program. Most of the focus has been placed on expanding current road infrastructure, particularly tunnels and bypasses, as well as improving the public transport system.
Population and growth
South-East Queensland is one of Australia’s largest metropolitan regions, comprising 3.1 million people, of which approximately 70 per cent reside in the Greater Brisbane area.
The Greater Brisbane population has grown rapidly over the past decade, averaging 2.2 per cent annually, which has seen an additional 440,000 residents move to the city, bringing the population to over 2.1 million people.
The region is set to continue to be one of Australia’s fastest-growing, with the Queensland Government forecasting Brisbane’s population to grow to nearly 3 million by 2031.
Much of Brisbane and Queensland’s population growth is driven by overseas and interstate migration, which contributed approximately two-thirds of the state’s new residents in 2012.
Economy
Queensland
Queensland’s economy has consistently been one of Australia’s fastest-growing during the past two decades, averaging 4.5 per cent growth per year during this time, a full percentage point higher than Australia as a whole (3.5 per cent).
Queensland benefits from a diversified economic base, with notable strengths in energy and resources, agriculture and services. These sectors have recorded exceptional growth in the value of state exports, which reached $62 billion in 2011-12 (6.8 per cent growth per year over the preceding five years).
Brisbane
Greater Brisbane’s economy has rapidly expanded to be worth $135 billion in 2011-12.
Brisbane is one of the fastest-growing regions in Australia, averaging 4.7 per cent growth between 2001 and 2011.
The Brisbane economy accounts for almost half (48 per cent) of Queensland’s economic output and 9 per cent of Australia’s as a whole.
Brisbane continues to move towards a knowledge economy that will sustain long-term economic prosperity for the city.
Brisbane’s economic growth is being fuelled by a competitive base for doing business, high levels of business investment and innovation, and the largest public infrastructure spending program in Australia’s history.
Housing
Brisbane offers a range of housing options spanning all styles from the iconic ‘Queenslander’ with its high ceilings and breezy verandahs, to the modern, loft-style apartment.
Most Brisbane houses sit on their own block of land but the housing boom of the early 2000s saw a flurry of development activity in Brisbane’s central business district. Dozens of apartment buildings were built, and many continue to be built on the back of the boom.
For those in the rental market, Brisbane offers a wide variety of rental options. Houses, townhouses (semi-detached houses), apartments and share accommodation have become increasingly popular and are readily available throughout the city.
Weather
Queensland's weather continues to be an attraction for tourists and residence alike, with 12 months of sunshine filled days and clear blue skies. Brisbane has a climate that sets the scene for year-round alfresco activities. Even in the midst of a Brisbane winter you’ll be yearning to play in the parks and dine outdoors, with yearly Median temperatures ranging from 9.5 degrees to 29.1 degrees.
Links
1.
Brisbane Residential Building Approvals
2.
ABS Population Growth Trends - Past, Present and Future