ADELAIDE CITY POPULATION GROWTH

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (14:26): My question is to the Deputy Premier. Can the Deputy Premier please update the house about population growth in the Adelaide city centre?

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Planning, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:27): I thank the honourable member for her question. Earlier this week, the Australian Bureau of Statistics released the latest data on estimated resident population for South Australia. The data shows that the Adelaide City Council is the fastest growing area in South Australia. Adelaide grew by 3.2 per cent in the year to 30 June 2012 and this is the fastest growing, by percentage, in the state.

This shows that there is an increasing demand for inner-city living which, of course, is entirely consistent with the government's vibrant city objectives. It is worth noting that, even with this increase in density, Adelaide only ranks in the mid range of population density, so there is plenty more opportunity for an increase in density within the city.

The government recognises that this is the case and has been working with industry to help meet this demand, taking a number of steps including, but not limited to, the significant planning reforms that have occurred in the last 18 months. This 3.2 per cent growth is a marked increase on the 0.9 per cent growth in 2011, so we can see that there has been, at least over the last recorded year, a substantial increase over the recorded year previously. We have seen significant growth in the city centre over the past decade but the government recognises the need to continue reform to promote and support growth in the city centre.

The city centre has jobs, social infrastructure and the unique benefit of being surrounded by Parklands to provide open space for the residents. The government is very pleased to see that there is now what appears to be a steady move towards city living, and it is to be encouraged and applauded.