Toondah Harbour could overtake Kangaroo Point as Queensland’s most crowded area.
Queensland’s leading area for population density will rise out of mudflats next to the Toondah Harbour ferry terminal if Walker Group’s plans for 3,600 apartments are approved by the Federal and State governments.
Population density, measured in people per square kilometre, is reported on regularly by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The most densely populated areas in Queensland, as at 30 June 2020, were:
- Kangaroo Point with 7,700 people per square km
- Fortitude Valley with 7,600 people per square km
- West End with 7,100 people per square km
Comparable figures for urban areas in Redland City are much lower:
| Area | People/Square km |
| Thorneside | 1,518 |
| Birkdale | 1,344 |
| Cleveland | 1,321 |
| Wellington Point | 1,318 |
| Ormiston | 1,263 |
| Alexandra Hills | 1,238 |
| Victoria Point | 1,157 |
Toondah Harbour’s projected population density
With 3,600 apartments, proposed to be constructed in towers up to ten storeys, population density in the Toondah Harbour Priority Development area can be expected to exceed 10,200 people per square km.
The calculation is straightforward. Multiply the number of apartments (3,600) by estimated average occupancy (1.9 people) to get an estimated total population of 6,840. The assumed occupancy figure of 1.9 people per apartment is based on findings from Australia’s 2016 census, as reported by the ABS.
Then divide the estimated total population of 6,840 by the area of the Priority Development Area (67 hectares or 0.67 square kms) to get an estimated population density of 10,209 people per square km.
Toondah’s expected population density would be comparable with one of Melbourne’s top three areas, the South Yarra-East statistical area which currently charts at 10,100 people per square km. Other hot spots in Melbourne are Carlton (14,100 people per square km) and inner-city Melbourne with 22,400 people per square km.
Sydney’s areas with highest population density are Darlinghurst, Pyrmont-Ultimo and Potts Point-Woolloomoloo.
Population density hot spots examined
This gallery shows Google earth images of the three most densely populated areas in each of Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Google’s imagery is not updated in real time, so recently constructed buildings may not be shown.
7,100 people per square km in West End, Brisbane 
7,600 people per square km in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane 
7,700 people per square km in Kangaroo Point, Brisbane 
10,100 people per square km in South Yarra – East, Melbourne 
14,100 people per square km in Carlton, Melbourne 
22,400 people per square km in inner-city Melbourne 
15,300 people per square km in Darlinghurst, Sydney 
16,500 people per square km in Pyrmont – Ultimo, Sydney 
16,700 people per sq km in Potts Point – Woolloomooloo, Sydney
Population density reporting by the ABS
The ABS calculates population density at local area levels known as Statistical Areas level 2 (SA2).
Here are SA2 maps for the three population hot spots in each of NSW, Victoria and Queensland.
Potts Point- Wooloomooloo in Sydney 
Pyrmont-Ultimo in Sydney 
Darlinghurst in Sydney 
Melbourne inner centre 
Carlton in Melbourne 
South Yarra East in Melbourne 
Kangaroo Point in Brisbane 
Fortitude Valley in Brisbane 
West End in Brisbane
The ABS publishes regional population data in an annual series. The most recent publication, Regional Population 2019/20 financial year, was released on 30 March 2021.
Redlands2030 – 5 April 2021
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8 Comments
The only thing we need at Toondah is decent ferry access, sufficient parking spaces (perhaps 1 level up), and a cafe where one can sit and enjoy the water front over a coffee or small meal.
The more the truth comes out about the real impacts of a development at Toondah Harbour, the nuttier the prospect.
Did RCC ever do a lick of due diligence at the time it rashly entered into a contract to kill off the bay with 10,000 extra residents? Didn’t anyone reckon what the population density would be? On a peninsular site? Or the transport and traffic and parking implications? Clearly not.
This density is crazy, we all know it. However, the mere fact that a developer such as Walker is prepared to invest in our foreshore shows us just how desirable is waterfront residential. There will be more Walkers waiting in the wings.
The developers and government all know this and will capitalise politically if allowed.
The Ramsar wetland protection accord is supposed to prevent this intervention, but will it? No! as Toondah will prove.
The Redlands Coast is the last remaining accessible waterfront for the greater Brisbane population, and as such should be developed with an integrated approach i.e. a balanced development between environment and built structure.
An integrated innovative all encompassing development plan must be produced in order to avoid future battles with potential developers and unscrupulous councillors and state/federal government. This plan will show how development can be achieved within the Ramsar wetland area in a balanced integrated manner. The Redlands will be a test case for such development and as such a model for other waterfront councils. What a feather in the Redlands cap?
This development will naturally include reasonable access to all bay islands and North Stradbroke.
What is needed now are some big innovative thinkers who are not prepared to fiddle while Rome burns!
As the Australian population grows more and more pressure will be applied to the densification of these underdeveloped areas with little regards to the environment. Control this densification now or never.
save the wetland ,stop the greed
Our Heritage ‘secured’ by Ramsar , Our environment future, Our International reputation, irreplaceable ecological framework,taken by Governments , GIVEN to a Company that pays NO TAX, irreversibly damaging Moreton Bay, FOR NO VALID REASON, is a disgraceful abuse of political power corrupting absolutely Our RIGHT to RETAIN OUR HERITAGE
That really puts it in perspective doesn’t it. How on earth can the environment minister justify approval of this decimation of a supposedly protected wetland for a concrete mini city. Money and greed are the operatives.
Apart from the total destruction of the wetlands and koala habitat, should this development go ahead, we can expect years of heavy traffic through Cleveland streets and years of construction noise. After that we will have at least 3600 extra cars on the road…what a sad future for Cleveland.
Australia has so much available land to be utilized for residential. We do not need or want to break population density records. Only one beneficiary ie the developer. Cut the density in half so we all benefit from a workable likable lifestyle. Wake up Australia !