Being a developer, I know that when construction on a project is underway there can be road closures, diversions and reduced parking for the public. The number of projects we have happening in and around our region are long overdue and are needed for us to progress and grow.

New housing, apartments, sporting complexes and other major infrastructural changes are required to accommodate the growth we are experiencing. That growth brings more talent, greater investment and as a region we prosper.

We are attracting talent from all over the world and that talent has money. A recent article written by Business Insider Australia noted, “Australia is attracting more high net worth individuals (HNWI) as migrants than any other country, according to analysis by consultancy New World Wealth in its 2018 Global Wealth Migration Review”.

And the numbers are substantial. “In 2017, Australia topped the world with a net inflow of 10,000 HNWIs, those with net assets of $US1 million ($A1.25 million) or more. Second was the US with 9000”.

The report also confirmed what we already know - that the Sunshine Coast is increasingly becoming the place where people are choosing to live. The report named the Sunshine Coast alongside Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and the Gold Coast as the main places those high net worth people settle when they migrate.

What this means is that we must continue to grow, develop and build this great region to accommodate the growth we know is happening already. In 2016 it was estimated that our population was 303,389. This is expected to increase to around 332,205 by 2021 and reach 369,839 by the year 2026.

With numbers like this on the horizon it is imperative that we keep building housing and infrastructure to support the influx of people we can expect in the years ahead. Disruption on our roads will continue for years to come. Embrace the changes by leaving for work earlier or finding alternate routes. The disruption won’t last forever, but the impact it will leave on our future will.

Image credit: Sunshine Coast Daily