According to an article in yesterday’s issue of The Age, the population of Melbourne is growing at a significantly faster rate than what has been allowed for by the government, and new figures show that the population will be 5 million soon after 2030, an increase of 1.2 million over the next 25 years. The population of the State of Victoria is growing by more than 1400 people per week.
What issues arise as a result of increased population? Firstly, there will be an increase in urban sprawl. Secondly, there will have to be an increase in population density, probably through more high-rise living. Then there will be issues associated with increased traffic congestion, added strain on public transport resources, added strain on water resources, and even greater pressure on housing and accommodation prices.
Although many aspects of the future are impossible to discern, the changes which are happening to Melbourne are gradual and predictable. The question we need to be asking ourselves is: How can the church most effectively respond to those changes and position itself for serving people in the future?