Malcolm Gunning, president of the REIA, says the comments made in ABC's Four Corners report last night highlight the need for a national housing minister in Australia.

The report, titled 'Big Australia', says Australia has one of the fastest growing populations in the world, and is growing more quickly than Indonesia, Canada, and England.

Both Sydney and Melbourne are on track reach populations of 8 million each by 2050 if current rates of growth are maintained. Current forecasts show that both cities will have future populations in line with London and Hong Kong.

The program said housing the rapidly growing population was a major concern, flagging apartment living, rising house prices, and lack of infrastructure, including schools, as growing problems. 

Malcolm Gunning, president of the REIA, told WILLIAMS MEDIA the programme demonstrated the need for a federal housing minister in Australia.

"The federal government needs to have a dedicated minister for property with a laser focus on housing," said Gunning. "There should be a coordinated approach with each of the three levels of government."

Gunning said that Melbourne and Brisbane's planning is better than Sydney's because Victoria and Queensland state government plans feed into local council plans better than they do in New South Wales, particularly after the recent council amalgamations.

"We're suggesting the federal government should take leadership in this (housing planning)," he said.

Entrepreneur Dick Smith was interviewed on Four Corners, and he questioned the growing trend towards high-rise living in Australia.

"I don't agree with Dick Smith" in relation to apartment living, said Gunning.

"People have been living in apartments in Europe for hundreds of years," he said.

"There's nothing wrong with going up, provided there's equal open space. You're better off having dense areas linked by rail and recreation areas."

Gunning questioned the Australian approach of sprawling low-density developments in the outer suburbs of its major cities.

"One type of housing has disadvantages," he said, suggested low-density would be better mixed with higher density developments. 

"I'm not sure we've got our planning in order, and that's why we need a federal housing minister," he said.

Read more about housing planning in Australia:

Planning and investment the keys in population debate

Infrastructure Australia report says planning now essential to preserve quality of life in major cities

Aerial imagery reveals Australia's growing population