Creating a city is a challenge - but for Logan City Council, one city is just the tip of the iceberg.
Identified in the State Government's South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031 as one of the major growth areas for the region, Logan City has the challenging task of planning and developing the necessary infrastructure for three cities the size of Gladstone within Logan's borders.
The development of plans for this infrastructure is expected to be well underway within the lifespan of the South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031.
Logan City Mayor, Councillor Pam Parker, said the South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031 was the Queensland Government's long-term plan that would shape the region over the next 20 years.
''For Logan City, this looks at our growth areas, population density and how we can manage this across the region,'' she said.
''Logan's population is expected to jump from our current 270,000 to about 440,000 by 2031 and you can not sustain this significant increase without careful and considered planning and we are in the process of doing just that.
''The main areas we as a Council will be focusing on throughout the lifetime of this plan will be: health and education; housing; business and technology; jobs and growth areas.
''Each of these areas is vital to the formation and maintenance of a liveable and viable community - a community we all want to be part of.''
Cr Parker acknowledged managing the city's projected growth, especially in the south west corridor, would be Council's major challenge in the next five to 10 years and beyond.
She said the major urban growth areas identified in the South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031 were: Park Ridge, Bahrs Scrub, Flagstone, Yarrabilba North and Greenbank Central.
Cr Parker said the Logan Planning Scheme would be instrumental in guiding the city's future growth.
''We want Logan to be one of the most liveable cities in Australia and to achieve that goal we have to be visionary with our thinking,'' she said.
''The areas of Yarrabilba and Flagstone will be a major focus for us in the future not only in the capacity of accommodating the projected population increase, but also as the locations of future Major Regional Activity Centres.''
''This is an exciting time for Logan City as we prepare to grow into one of Australia's premier cities.''
Cr Parker said Meadowbrook had been identified in the South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031 as the city's key health, education and technology employment area.
Development and Planning Committee Chairperson, Councillor Cherie Dalley (Division 8), said Council needed to plan for an additional 70,000 dwellings within the city by 2031. This target comprises 42,000 greenfield dwellings and 28,000 infill dwellings.
''A range of infill and redevelopment opportunities exist in areas such as Bethania, Waterford, Holmview and Eagleby while there will be redevelopment opportunities in regional activity centres, particularly Beenleigh, Springwood, Browns Plains and Logan Central,'' she said.
Cr Dalley said further planning investigations and studies needed to be undertaken to determine their long-term suitability for urban development for the areas of North Maclean, Greenbank, Greater Flagstone, Greater Yarrabilba and New Beith outside the Urban Footprint.
''The South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031 also identifies Springwood and Beenleigh as Principal Regional Activity Centres while Logan Central, Browns Plains and Logan Hyperdome have been identified as Major Regional Activity Centres,'' she said.
Cr Dalley said the forecast population boom in the south west corridor made it imperative for transport to the area to be addressed.
''There is a critical need to get public transport out into this area and we believe this can be achieved by using the Brisbane-Sydney rail freight corridor,'' she said.
''But just as important as this need is - we can not neglect the existing need to lobby higher levels of government to ensure the necessary improvements are made to the Pacific Motorway, the Logan Motorway and Mount Lindesay Highway.''
Cr Parker said Council had developed a Statement of Proposals to give the community an insight into the major challenges and opportunities facing Logan City and how they could be addressed through the new Logan Planning Scheme. The Statement of Proposals also highlights how Logan's planning scheme will reflect the South East Queensland Regional Plan.
Residents can make a submission on the Statement of Proposals which is available on Council's website, www.logan.qld.gov.au or at Council's customer service centres.
Residents have until October 23 to comment.
A copy of the South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031 is available on Council's website, www.logan.qld.gov.au.