In some timely propaganda to support reasons for forced Council mergers across Queensland,
Premier Peter Beattie said an analysis of the latest Census shows the new local government boundaries will ensure Queensland's councils are better placed to manage population growth.
Premier Peter Beattie said an analysis of the latest Census shows the new local government boundaries will ensure Queensland's councils are better placed to manage population growth.
The 2006 Census shows Queensland continues to lead the country with regional cities experiencing historically high population growth.
Cairns now has 127,438 residents, as at the 2006 Census. This is an increase of 10,372 since 2000.
Beattie says that the "new council boundaries are centred on the regions where population growth is at its highest." It is true that growth is phenomenal in our regional cities.
The Census shows annual population growth in South East Queensland in the last 5 years averaged 66,000 p.a. That's about the size of Rockhampton every year.
Brisbane has had an additional 19,100 new people every year; the Gold Coast 16,700, recorded the largest annual average growth of any local government in Australia.
Other key growth areas include:- Caloundra 4.1%; Maroochy 3.7%; Mackay 3.5%; Hervey Bay 4.9%; Thuringowa 3.6%. Even Weipa has an annual growth rate of 6.9%
Local Government Minister Fraser has used the Census to justify the forced merger plan and said this growth was reason why larger Councils were needed.
Some key selected data from the 2006 Census for our region:-
PEOPLE:
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
DWELLING
STATUS
1 comment:
Yep. All us locals are now as exotic as ET in the city.
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