Commuting nightmares prompt more families to rethink the dream of a big suburban home

Daily commuting times have risen in almost every capital city in Australia and as house prices continue to rise, experts say more families are opting to live in an apartment to beat the gridlock. Key points: Pearson family one of many opting for an inner city apartment for a quicker commute South East Queensland satellite suburbs like Ripley set for massive population growth UQ expert says growth suburbs need major upgrades to public transport In 2016, more than 2.3 million Australians were living in apartments and parents with children made up almost 44 per cent of the families in apartments, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Growth areas need better planning University of Queensland demographer Dr Elin Charles-Edwards said the move to apartments for families was a growing nationwide trend. Gaps in public transport network The Queensland Government said the South East Queensland region's population is set to grow to around 5.5 million by 2041. University of Queensland transport planning specialist Professor Neil Sipe said the public transport network needed strengthening to accommodate rapid population growth in coming decades.