Redlands Institute president Gunther de Graeve said discussions about growth had often been hijacked by the two extremes in the debate without room for the middle ground.

“I think in the past the debate the Redlands has focused on is growth versus no growth, and that’s a very narrow debate,” he said.

“It was developers on one side and greens on the other.”

Mr de Graeve, the director of strategic projects with architectural firm Woods Bagot, said residents should attend a public debate at Ormiston College next week and come to their own judgment.

The Redlands Institute, a new think tank launched early this year, is hosting a seminar and questions-and-answers session at the college's Somerset Centre on Wednesday, July 30 from 6pm to 9pm.

Guest speakers include Urban Development Institute of Australia CEO Brian Stewart; QUT School of Urban Design lecturer Kathi Holt-Damant; urban planner Greg Vann; and Sunshine Coast councillor and environmentalist Vivien Griffin.

Mr de Graeve said the aim of the debate was not to come up with an ideal population number or dictate one particular solution.

Instead, he hoped the event would foster “informed debate”.

Mr de Graeve said the Redlands needed to deal with its dependence on other local government areas for employment. It is believed about 60 per cent of the local workforce travels outside the Redlands for employment.

He said this needed to be balanced with the need to preserve the charm of the area including "individual villages".

Increased densities and mixed-use developments may be part of the solution, Mr de Graeve said.

Tickets to the debate on Wednesday are $25, which includes finger food. For more details, contact the Redlands Institute by email to admin@redi.org.au. Reserve your seat online at www.redi.org.au