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SYDNEY - The population of NSW will soar to over nine million people, an increase of 33 per cent, by the year 2036, while Sydney will surge to nearly 6 million people, up 40 per cent.
NSW planning minister Kristina Keneally released the figures today and said they represent an increase of 440,000 people on the 2005 projection of the state's population.
Sydney will need an extra 636,000 houses by 2031, she said, and has instructed her department to determine projected population increases for local government areas across the state.
"It's clear the increase in the NSW population and decline of our household size will impact on everything from the location of future housing estates to the type of buildings they include," Ms Keneally said in a statement.
"Our challenge is to keep working with the federal government, across the NSW government, with the private housing sector and, in particular, with local councils to build the homes and provide the services for our growing population."
- AAP
