Abstract
Background Paper for the Regional Economic Summit, Sunshine Coast Twin Waters Resort, 6 April 2001. The Sunshine Coast has experienced one of the highest population growth rates nationally, expanding from 22,657 residents in 1947 to an estimated 270,170 residents in 1999, an average growth rate of around 4.7 per cent per annum. This rapid population growth is a critical and defining aspect of regional development on the Sunshine Coast. Population projections suggest that this trend will continue with medium level projections indicating an annual increase of 3.0 per cent in Caloundra, 3.2 per cent in Maroochy and 2.5 per cent in Noosa between 1996 adn 2016.