Perth faces big growing pains
Perth will have to find space for at least another two million people by the middle of the century, putting pressure on the city's transport, health and education systems.
Intergenerational Report figures suggest the nation's population is growing even faster than expected.
The fourth Intergenerational Report predicts Australia will be home to almost 40 million people by 2055.
In the last report, released in 2010, the nation was expected to have almost 36 million residents by 2050. The latest report believes that 36 million mark will be reached by 2045.
A Perth population of four million would, without change, result in the city sprawling to a size endured by the 36 million people spread across the Tokyo metropolitan area.
Treasurer Joe Hockey said the Federal Government was not opposed to engaging with States to build public transport. Getting infrastructure for growing cities, however, was more than just public transport and roads.
"Infrastructure helps to lift the capacity of the nation and the more infrastructure we can get out there that is actually productive infrastructure, the more capacity we're going to build so that we can get greater income and greater prosperity in the future," Mr Hockey said.
Urban Taskforce chief executive officer Chris Johnson said the report presented some clear messages about the need for cities to change.
"The suburban family home will be less relevant to still- active retirees and the growing need for younger people to be close to jobs," he said.
Mr Johnson said higher density housing around public transport links such as rail lines would be necessary.
The report also makes clear that the ageing of Australia is accelerating. Of the expected 40 million residents in 2055, 1.9 million will be at least 85.
It would be a fourfold increase on the current number of elderly Australians - just under 500,000.
