By Nigel McBride, CEO of Business SA

I arrived from WA for what I thought was a two-year gig before going on to the east coast. That was 17 years ago. 

While I’ve developed a deep appreciation for Adelaide, over the years I’ve watched a steady exodus of some of our best and brightest going elsewhere. And so many chose Melbourne.

They are not alone. Melbourne is undergoing unprecedented population growth. It’s been projected that Melbourne will grow to a mega city of between 8 million and 10 million people by 2050. It’s also been suggested that an otherwise underperforming Victorian state economy is being propped up by this extraordinary growth with property related taxes accounting for almost half of state-raised revenue. So, while Melbourne is effectively adding a city the size of Ballarat each year, the truth is the pace and impact of that growth is exactly what threatens its very future sustainability.

One of Melbourne’s main newspapers has been publishing a series of articles highlighting how this rate of growth is creating serious economic and social dysfunction: including a dangerous property bubble and housing affordability issues, congestion, urban sprawl and a serious lag in needed public infrastructure.

The same newspaper has published feedback from sad and angry residents like: “The things that made Melbourne a livable city are being eroded away. I’m planning to move interstate next year because the quality of life is now poor.” Or “I am so angry that the government has destroyed Melbourne and the worst is yet to come.” Or “I am heartbroken to see our heritage buildings and leafy suburbs replaced by concrete and ugliness…I no longer want to visit the CBD because I’m so depressed by the sight of so many homeless.” And so on.

There’s no question we need to address population growth in SA. However, the lessons from Melbourne are vitally important. Growth at any rate, at any cost and for any reason, will undermine the very things that differentiate Adelaide as an internationally celebrated, vibrant, accessible, boutique city.

Of course, any kind of sustained growth in our broader economy will drive population increase.

But think about this: even 10 years ago, over 70,000 people worked from home in Melbourne. So why wouldn’t you work on-line from Adelaide instead, as part of Australia’s first 10 Gig City? (http://www.cityofadelaide.com.au/city-business/why-adelaide/ten-gigabit-city/)

Enjoy extraordinary arts and cultural, great schools, superb food and wine and a cool laneway bar scene - just for starters.  Hopefully you wouldn’t miss the crushing mortgage or exorbitant rent, the choking congestion and the seemingly endless ugly sprawl. #justsayin

The first wave of Adelaide’s population growth could start tomorrow if even a modest percentage of Melbourne’s on-line community discovered what their quality of life could really be like. If that’s you or a friend, go on-line and find out a little more: http://southaustralia.com/places-to-go/adelaide