As Canberra’s population grows, are we ready for the challenge? Photo: ACT Government. Photo: Supplied.
The city filled with cars and the people who love them over the weekend, but does everyone love Summernats? Last week’s poll on the festival of fuel was closely balanced.
By all accounts, the event was highly successful, pumping millions into the local economy. Held across four days, around 125,000 people attended the sell-out event and vehicle entrants were capped at a record-breaking 2700. Even US ambassador Caroline Kennedy dropped in.
There were some issues at the main EPIC site where the cruising circuit closed early, and consequent tensions elsewhere in the city, including at Braddon, Fyshwick, Majura Park and Hume.
Is there general acceptance of the event? Or is that acceptance conditional on the cars staying inside EPIC rather than spreading across the city and into Braddon’s nightlife and restaurant scene?
We asked: Does Summernats still belong in Braddon? A total of 747 readers voted and the divide was very close.
Your choices were to vote No, the suburb’s moved on and so should the car fans. This received 48 per cent of the total, or 357 votes. Alternatively, you could vote Yes, it’s a Canberra tradition and good for business. This received 52 per cent of the total, or 390 votes.
This week we’re wondering what you think about Canberra’s booming population and predictions that we’ll hit 500,000
The Federal Government’s Centre for Population is predicting Canberra will grow by almost 100,000 within the next decade, reaching 550,000 by 2033 – the equivalent of another Gungahlin and a near-70,000-person jump on the centre’s estimate from 12 months ago.
The 2021 census undercounted our population and this is partly behind the leap, but we can also look forward to the return of overseas students, more migrants and a natural increase boosting our numbers, a plus for the economy as we recover from the pandemic.
But some experts say that strategic planning for the ACT didn’t go beyond the half-million mark and the tension on our infrastructure is showing.
Pam wrote: “We moved to Canberra from the south nine months ago. It’s truly a lovely city. But embrace it. People here don’t seem to love their city and suburbs. Come on, Canberra, this is from a big city girl … love and enjoy what you’ve got!! And be prepared for change.”
But Ian asked: “During drought years, where will the water come from? We are already seeing worsening contention between agricultural, urban and natural environments.
“Why can’t we pipe desalinated water from the coast? Oil is much heavier and piped across continents so surely water security for Canberra is achievable within some vision and drive. Would certainly be a better use of public funds than the light rail extensions.”
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