South East Queensland
Encyclopedia
South East Queensland is a region of the state
of Queensland
in Australia
, which contains approximately two-thirds of the state population. The SEQ region covers 22,420 square kilometres and incorporates ten Local Government Areas, extending 240 km from Noosa
in the north to the Gold Coast
and New South Wales
border in the south (some sources include Tweed Heads (NSW)
which is contiguous as an urban area with Brisbane/Gold Coast), and 140 km west to Toowoomba
(not officially part of SEQ).
, Gold Coast
and the Sunshine Coast
account for 90 per cent of the region's population.
and Beaudesert
.
South East Queensland includes the following regional cities:
Predominantly rural landscapes lie to the west of the urbanised coastal centres. The Lockyer Valley
, a major agricultural area referred to as "South East Queensland's Salad Bowl", lies outside Brisbane. Many World Heritage listed rainforests are located along the region's southern border ranges, an area known as the Scenic Rim
, such as Lamington National Park
and Main Range National Park
.
The economy of South East Queensland supports and relies on a wide diversity of agricultural manufacturing industries, commerce and tourism.
The region has an integrated public transport system, TransLink
(excludes Tweed).
States and territories of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a union of six states and various territories. The Australian mainland is made up of five states and three territories, with the sixth state of Tasmania being made up of islands. In addition there are six island territories, known as external territories, and a...
of Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, which contains approximately two-thirds of the state population. The SEQ region covers 22,420 square kilometres and incorporates ten Local Government Areas, extending 240 km from Noosa
Noosa, Queensland
The Shire of Noosa was a Local Government Area located about north of Brisbane in the Sunshine Coast region of South East Queensland, Australia...
in the north to the Gold Coast
Gold Coast, Queensland
Gold Coast is a coastal city of Australia located in South East Queensland, 94km south of the state capital Brisbane. With a population approximately 540,000 in 2010, it is the second most populous city in the state, the sixth most populous city in the country, and also the most populous...
and New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
border in the south (some sources include Tweed Heads (NSW)
Tweed Heads, New South Wales
Tweed Heads is a town located on the Tweed River in north-eastern New South Wales, Australia in Tweed Shire. Tweed Heads is located next to the border with Queensland, adjacent to the "Twin Town" of Coolangatta, a suburb of the Gold Coast...
which is contiguous as an urban area with Brisbane/Gold Coast), and 140 km west to Toowoomba
Toowoomba, Queensland
Toowoomba is a city in Southern Queensland, Australia. It is located west of Queensland's capital city, Brisbane. With an estimated district population of 128,600, Toowoomba is Australia's second largest inland city and its largest non-capital inland city...
(not officially part of SEQ).
Geographical/Scientific
The physical geographical/scientific definition of South East Queensland is the coastal river basins from the New South Wales border to the Mary River catchment. The western boundary is by definition, the Great Dividing Range water shed, the continental divide.Political
The term South East Queensland has no political meaning. The area covers many lower house seats at the federal and state levels. As Queensland has no upper house, there are no Legislative Council provinces or regions to bear the name either, unlike say, Western Victoria which is a political entity.Administrative
The confusion in what exactly is in South East Queensland is due to its many administrative uses, both state and federal. The uses seldom match the geographical definition. Often they extend far beyond the geographical definition.Demographics
As of 2007 the population of South East Queensland is estimated to be approximately 2.77 million, meaning that one in eight Australians call the region home. The regional population is heavily urbanised and concentrated along the coast. The three largest population centres of BrisbaneBrisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
, Gold Coast
Gold Coast, Queensland
Gold Coast is a coastal city of Australia located in South East Queensland, 94km south of the state capital Brisbane. With a population approximately 540,000 in 2010, it is the second most populous city in the state, the sixth most populous city in the country, and also the most populous...
and the Sunshine Coast
Sunshine Coast, Queensland
The Sunshine Coast is an urban area in South East Queensland, north of the state capital of Brisbane on the Pacific Ocean coastline. Although it does not have a central business district, by population it ranks as the 10th largest metropolis in Australia and the third largest in...
account for 90 per cent of the region's population.
Regions
South East Queensland generally consists of the following regions:- BrisbaneBrisbaneBrisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
- the capital and largest city of Queensland. The Brisbane metropolitan area consists of the City of Brisbane, as well as the following local governments:- Ipswich City - an outer-suburban city with an industrial and mining heritage west of Brisbane.
- Logan City - a largely residential area between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
- Moreton Bay Region - a largely residential area between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.
- Redland City - a residential and agricultural area on the shores of Moreton Bay to the south-east of Brisbane.
- Gold Coast City - a major tourist and retirement destination to the south of Brisbane, and the largest non-capital city in Australia.
- Sunshine Coast Region - a coastal tourist and agricultural region to the north of Brisbane. The Glass House Mountains are a symbol of this region.
- West MoretonWest MoretonWest Moreton is a region of the Australian state of Queensland, consisting of the entire rural western portion of South East Queensland. It sits inland from both the Brisbane metropolitan area and the Gold Coast and to the east of the Darling Downs. Much of the region lies in the Great Dividing Range...
, a rural area in the Great Dividing RangeGreat Dividing RangeThe Great Dividing Range, or the Eastern Highlands, is Australia's most substantial mountain range and the third longest in the world. The range stretches more than 3,500 km from Dauan Island off the northeastern tip of Queensland, running the entire length of the eastern coastline through...
consisting of:- Lockyer Valley Region - an agricultural area west of Ipswich, known for its fruit and vegetable production.
- Scenic Rim Region - a pastoral area inland from the Gold Coast known for its scenic mountains and villages.
- Somerset Region - a pastoral area north west of Brisbane and location of two major dams supplying South East Queensland with water. This area is also known as the Brisbane Valley.
Airports
- Brisbane AirportBrisbane AirportBrisbane Airport is the sole passenger airport serving Brisbane and the third busiest in Australia, after Melbourne and Sydney Airports. Brisbane Airport has won many awards. Located in the suburb with the same name, the airport serves the city of Brisbane and the surrounding metropolitan area...
- The major international gateway to the region offering services direct to CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, AsiaAsiaAsia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
, OceaniaOceaniaOceania is a region centered on the islands of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Conceptions of what constitutes Oceania range from the coral atolls and volcanic islands of the South Pacific to the entire insular region between Asia and the Americas, including Australasia and the Malay Archipelago...
and the Middle EastMiddle EastThe Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
. - Gold Coast AirportGold Coast AirportGold Coast Airport, or Coolangatta Airport, is an Australian domestic and international airport on the Gold Coast and is located some south of Brisbane and 25 km south of Surfers Paradise. The entrance to the airport is situated in the suburb of Bilinga on the Gold Coast...
- The second major gateway is one of Australia's fastest growing airport offering services to Japan, Malaysia and New Zealand. - Sunshine Coast AirportSunshine Coast AirportSunshine Coast Airport is an Australian airport serving Sunshine Coast, Queensland. It is the gateway to holiday destinations such as Noosa, Maroochydore, Mooloolaba and Caloundra...
- A domestic airport offering services to SydneySydneySydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
and MelbourneMelbourneMelbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
. - Archerfield AirportArcherfield AirportArcherfield Airport is a small airport located 7 1/2 miles at Archerfield in the south west of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. For some time it was the primary airport in Brisbane. During World War II it was used as a Royal Australian Air Force station. Airport traffic peaked in the 1980s...
- a general aviation airport located approximately 11 km south of the Brisbane CBD. - Redcliffe AirportRedcliffe Airport (Australia)Redcliffe Airport is an aerodrome serving Redcliffe, Queensland. It is located northwest of Redcliffe, in the suburb of Rothwell. The facility is owned and operated by Moreton Bay Regional Council, following the amalgamation of the Redcliffe City Council....
- a general aviation airport located on the Redcliffe Peninsula approximately 28 km from the Brisbane CBD. - RAAF Base AmberleyRAAF Base AmberleyRAAF Base Amberley is a Royal Australian Air Force base located southwest of Ipswich, Queensland and southwest of Brisbane. It is currently home to No. 1 Squadron and No. 6 Squadron , No. 33 Squadron and No. 36 Squadron...
- the largest operational base of the air force in Australia located in south-western Ipswich approximately 50 km from the Brisbane CBD.
Immigration and Population growth
South East Queensland is the fastest growing region in Australia, fuelled principally by migration from the southern states. The region has experienced significant population growth over the last two decades, growing on average by 55,000 to 80,000 people a year since 1986. This growth equates to 1,000 new arrivals in the region every week. South East Queensland is expected to be home to 4.4 million by 2031.Regional Planning
South East Queensland's future development will be heavily based on the South East Queensland Regional Plan, released by the Queensland state government in 2005. The regional plan covers the period from 2009–2031 and focuses on slowing development along the coast, in order to prevent creating a 200 km city, and instead aim for growth in the west, in particular around SpringfieldSpringfield, Queensland
Springfield, also known as the Greater Springfield Development, is a 28.50 square kilometre residential development located in Ipswich, in South East Queensland, Australia...
and Beaudesert
Beaudesert, Queensland
Beaudesert is a town located on the Mount Lindesay Highway, some 64 km south of Brisbane. It is possibly named after Beau Desert Park, the property of Charles Henry Alexander Paget, 6th Marquess of Anglesey in Staffordshire, England...
.
Environment
- BrisbaneBrisbaneBrisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
, Queensland's capital and largest city - Gold CoastGold Coast, QueenslandGold Coast is a coastal city of Australia located in South East Queensland, 94km south of the state capital Brisbane. With a population approximately 540,000 in 2010, it is the second most populous city in the state, the sixth most populous city in the country, and also the most populous...
, Queensland's premier tourist destination and surfingSurfingSurfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...
mecca to the south of Brisbane. - Sunshine CoastSunshine Coast, QueenslandThe Sunshine Coast is an urban area in South East Queensland, north of the state capital of Brisbane on the Pacific Ocean coastline. Although it does not have a central business district, by population it ranks as the 10th largest metropolis in Australia and the third largest in...
, another major tourist area to the north of Brisbane. - IpswichIpswich, QueenslandIpswich is a city in South-East Queensland, Australia. Situated along the Bremer River Valley approximately 40 kilometres away from the state's capital Brisbane. The suburb by the same name forms the city's Central Business District and administrative centre...
, Queensland's oldest provincial city and industrial centre to Brisbane's south-west. - Logan, a city between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, mostly residential with some light industry.
Predominantly rural landscapes lie to the west of the urbanised coastal centres. The Lockyer Valley
Lockyer Valley, Queensland
The Lockyer Valley is an area of rich farmlands that lies to the west of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia and east of Toowoomba. The Lockyer Valley is rated among the top ten most fertile farming areas in the world...
, a major agricultural area referred to as "South East Queensland's Salad Bowl", lies outside Brisbane. Many World Heritage listed rainforests are located along the region's southern border ranges, an area known as the Scenic Rim
Scenic Rim
The Scenic Rim is a group of forested mountain ranges of the Great Dividing Range straddling the border between south-eastern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales, Australia.-Description:...
, such as Lamington National Park
Lamington National Park
Lamington is a national park in Queensland, Australia, lying on the Lamington Plateau of the McPherson Range on the Queensland/New South Wales border...
and Main Range National Park
Main Range National Park
Main Range is a mountain range and a national park in Queensland , 85 km southwest of Brisbane. It is part of the World Heritage Site Gondwana Rainforests of Australia . It protects the western part of a semicircle of mountains in South East Queensland known as the Scenic Rim...
.
The economy of South East Queensland supports and relies on a wide diversity of agricultural manufacturing industries, commerce and tourism.
The region has an integrated public transport system, TransLink
TransLink (South East Queensland)
The TransLink Transit Authority is the authority introduced by the Queensland Government in June 2003 as a section of Queensland Transport to coordinate and integrate rail, bus and ferry services. TransLink works with Airtrain, Brisbane Transport, Brisbane Ferries, QR Citytrain and 17 other...
(excludes Tweed).
Local Government Areas
- Please also note: Tweed is actually within NSWNew South WalesNew South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
but is often included in planning processes for SEQ. While not officially part of the TransLink public transport network, Surfside Buses run a seamless service across the border that appears to passengers as though it is integrated.
See also
- Regions of QueenslandRegions of QueenslandThe Regions of Queensland refers to the geographic areas of the Australian state of Queensland. Due to its large size and decentralised population, the state is often divided into regions for statistical and administrative purposes. Each region varies somewhat in terms of its economy, population,...
- South East Queensland Regional PlanSouth East Queensland Regional PlanThe South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031 is a document designed to guide regional growth and development in South East Queensland, Australia. It was established under the , which has now been replaced by and includes ....
- South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and ProgramSouth East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and ProgramThe South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program 2010–2031 is produced by the Queensland Department of Infrastructure and Planning and outlines estimated infrastructure investment across South East Queensland Australia to 2031. It represents a long-term commitment to infrastructure...
- The 200 Kilometre City
- South East Queensland Wikibook
- Shopping Centres in South East Queensland
External links
- SEQ History South East Queensland History
- South East Queensland Council of Mayors.
- Live weather for the Moreton Bay Region of South East Queensland