For those of us who don’t think there is life outside of the West End, it is useful to be reminded that the South Brisbane electorate also takes in Annerley, Dutton Park, East Brisbane, Highgate Hill, Kangaroo Point, Woolloongabba, and parts of Greenslopes and Coorparoo.

The Electorate takes in major Brisbane hospitals as well as the arts and cultural precincts, and the Griffith University campus on South Bank.

According to the South Brisbane State Electoral District (SED) profile developed by Queensland Treasury and Trade, South Brisbane has a total area of 15.1 km and a population of 55,067 persons. It has a young demographic with a median age of 32.1 years at 30 June 2013 compared with the statewide median of 36.6 years.

The population of South Brisbane is projected to reach 103,062 persons by 30 June 2036, almost double its current size and an increase of 2.8% per year over 25 years. The population growth in Queensland as a whole is projected to be 1.9% in the same period. Much of the population growth is expected to occur in West End and the suburb of South Brisbane.

In the past 12 months ending 30 September 2014, there have been residential building approvals in South Brisbane to the value of $480.1 million.

The electorate has higher incomes and higher rents than the state as a whole.

Not surprisingly, the key industries in the electorate are in order: rental, hiring and real estate services; professional, scientific and technical services; health care; and construction.

2012 Elections

Former Premier Ann Bligh was the member for South Brisbane from 1995 to 2012. She resigned after the massive electoral defeat of her government in 2012.

In the subsequent by-election, contested by eight candidates, Labor’s Jackie Trad held South Brisbane with a margin of 4.7%, but with 32.9% of the vote, she relied on Greens preferences. The Greens polled 19.4% of the vote and the LNP 38%.

Candidates 2015

There are only four candidates for election this time around. This may be due in part to the short lead in time for the campaign, but also to the more stringent electoral rules brought in by the Newman Government in 2013. These rules increased the percentage of votes parties or independents must attract to receive public funding from 4% to 6%.

The candidates are:
BOELE, Karel – Independent
SRI, Jonathan – The Greens
TRAD, Jackie – Australian Labor Party
WARD, Fiona – Liberal National Party

The Westender has spoken with three of the four candidates – see profiles at the Westender online.

LNP candidate Fiona Ward has been approached for an interview, and we hope to get that to you soon. In the meantime to learn more about Ms Ward you can go to her Facebook site or website.

Meet the Candidates

The Westender in conjunction with the Kurilpa Futures Group will be sponsoring a candidates forum at the South Leagues Club at 6.30pm on Wednesday 21 January.

The Westender will also be sponsoring a Politics in the Pub event with the West End Community Association at The Loft, at 6.30pm on Wednesday 28 January.

Jackie Trad, Jonathan Sri and Karel Boele will be attending both events.

Ms Ward has been invited but is yet to confirm.