Qld: State planners to take maple leaf out of Canada's book

AAP General News (Australia)
04-30-2010
Qld: State planners to take maple leaf out of Canada's book

BRISBANE, April 30 AAP - Queensland plans to borrow ideas from Canada to help manage
the state's rapid population growth.

Premier Anna Bligh has met with leaders in urban planning and transport in Vancouver,
Canada, during a trade mission.

Ms Bligh said in a statement on Friday the Queensland government would set up an exchange
of senior planners with the city of Vancouver to build expertise in the field.

"Vancouver has been consistently ranked as the world's most liveable city over the
past decade," Ms Bligh said.

"The planning challenges here are similar to those we face in Queensland, particularly
in the southeast corner."

The premier on Saturday will sign a deal with British Columbia to also share expertise
on growth management.

Southeast Queensland's population is expected to grow from 2.8 million to 4.4 million
by 2031 - an increase of 57 per cent.

Over the same period, the greater Vancouver region is expected to grow from 2.2 million
to 3.1 million.

AAP pjo/ash

KEYWORD: POPULATION

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