I can see the merits of these 'satellite cities', and am certainly glad that masterplanned communities are the continuing trend rather than soulless and jobless housing estates. A few thoughts, though.

If a community of 250,000 generates 30,000 jobs, where does everyone else work?

And, while we're on the numbers, I'm confused by your assertion, voxUnius, that a population of 100,000 will lead to 200,000 vehicles on the road.

Growth, anti-growth, immigration and anti-immigration sentiments aside, perhaps the important thing here is efficient use of space without destroying lifestyle. We're constantly told that quarter-acre blocks belong in the past, but that doesn't mean we have to live on top of each other, or that we have to drive for half an hour (or more) to take a walk in the past. It is my opinion that communities like Springfield - though not without flaws - are opportunities to get right what we got wrong in the past.

Otokonoko as long as these developments meet genuine need of existing Australians and not needs generated through immigration at the behest of Ross and his industry mates.

Also we do not need to generate as many jobs if immigrants are not pouring into the country in order to manufacture housing demand for the building sector.

Australia needs to create industries (and jobs) that meet genuine need around the globe, boost our exports and are genuinely productive for the country. These industries and jobs will be technologically based, e.g. biotechnology and medical technology. Australia's economic future primarily lies in these industries and not in the building and construction sector.

The building sector does not generate export income. Beyond meeting genuine local needs all it does is push up government and private spending on infrastructure which in turn pushes up our federal deficit.

Sorry Boylesy I think you're indulging in wishful thinking there. I think it is highly unlikely we are going to become a manufacturing country again, & definitely not while we have crazy governments costing us out of any industrial development, with fool taxes.

No apart from mining, & it looks like Gina Rinehart doesn't want ozzies even there, we are going to have to become resigned to taking in each other's washing.

To that end, we need to start taking action, with our feet & accounts, against companies who contract jobs off shore.

The moment I get that tell tale accent when I call a company, I know it's an offshore call centre, & change supplier. I have changed my bank, phone company, & my fuel supplier this year. I have notified the companies involved.

Yes I know, a waste of time, but if enough do likewise, we will get some jobs back.

Manufacturing wise, in the 60s, I was the technical service officer for a company supplying plastic raw materials to 7 TV manufacturers, 5 refrigeration manufacturers, 3 phone manufacturers, & dozens of appliances manufacturers.

We also developed dozens of electrical & electronic applications with people we supplied.

Only 3 of all those manufacturers are still making anything, although a very few are now importers, & marketing companies. We could not keep what we had, I doubt we can handle start up in any manufacturing today.

Hasbeen:

...The rising sun of Globalism now shines scorching and hot from a mid-day sky.

Are there still people out there who don't know that Planet Earth isn't increasing in size & it's atmosphere is getting thicker ?
Growth is what we're trying to manage yet some people continue to advocate growth ?
Show me a nicely coloured map with the condition of the various layers of our atmosphere before showing me projected ones of bigger suburbs.
Also, a map showing the various sewerage outlets with projected overlays of the added flow rate would be interesting.

'Individual' Ross brings to mind a favourite joke of mine.

Q. What is the difference between Ross and a computer?
A. You only have to punch the information into a computer once!