1362.8 - Regional Statistics, Australian Capital Territory, 2000  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 30/03/2000   
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MEDIA RELEASE

March 30, 2000
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
36/2000


ABS Publication Tells all on the ACT and Nearby NSW

The preliminary estimated resident population of the ACT at 30 June 1999 was 310,174, an increase of 0.7% on the revised June 1998 figure of 308,057, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The publication, Regional Statistics, Australian Capital Territory, 2000, released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), focuses on small-area statistics for the ACT and nearby areas.

It shows that over the 12 months to June 1999 there were population increases in the SSDs of Gungahlin-Hall (11%); South Canberra (1%); North Canberra (0.4%); and Tuggeranong (0.3%). At 30 June 1999, Queanbeyan had a preliminary estimated resident population of 38,730 an increase of 2% on the revised 30 June 1998 figure of 38,029 people.

The 73-page publication presents a summary of the latest available key statistics, at the time of preparation, for each of the Statistical Local Areas (SLAs) or Statistical Sub-Divisions (SSDs) of the ACT, as well as for Queanbeyan City and Yarrowlumla Shire (part A) which make up the Queanbeyan Statistical Sub-Division. The total geographic area of coverage of these statistics is the Canberra-Queanbeyan Statistical District plus ACT Balance.

The publication contains data on a wide-range of subjects such as:
  • rate of population growth and age distribution
  • employment size and industry classification of businesses
  • labour market and unemployment rate data
  • number and value of building approvals
  • number of schools and student enrolments
  • number of social security recipients and dependency ratios
  • mean taxable income by Statistical Subdivision.

It includes a map of each region according to the Census of Population and Housing boundaries as at 30 June 1996.

Other information on the ACT and Queanbeyan SSDs includes :
  • The June Quarter 1999 indicated an unemployment rate of 7.3% for the ACT. North Canberra recorded the highest unemployment rate of 10% followed by Belconnen 8%; South Canberra (7%); and Woden Valley (7%). The Queanbeyan SSD recorded a rate of 8.0% in June Quarter 1999;
  • During 1998-99 2,603 buildings were approved in the ACT, a decrease of 94 (3%) from 1997-98. The value of building approvals in the ACT was $604.6 million, an increase of 33% over the previous year. During this period there were 2,074 dwelling units created in the ACT, an increase of 49% over 1997-98. Most of the residential building activity has been in Gunghalin-Hall;
  • At August 1999, there were 3,972 enrolments in 81 preschools in the ACT. Over the previous year, preschool enrolments increased by 0.5%;
  • In August 1999, the ACT Government school system had 99 schools with 38,736 students enrolled, accounting for 64% of enrolments in all ACT schools. This represented a 1% decrease since August 1998 when 39,099 students were enrolled. Primary schools accounted for 55% of all enrolments. The SSDs of Tuggeranong (33%) and Belconnen (26%) had the highest proportion of all enrolments;
  • At June 1999 there were 60,136 social security customers in the ACT. The Belconnen and Tuggeranong SSDs forming the highest proportion of total social security customers in the ACT (both 26%). At 30 June 1999 there were 8,142 social security customers in Queanbeyan SSD;
  • The mean taxable income for the ACT in 1997-98 was $37,226. South Canberra had the highest mean taxable income ($46,323) followed by Woden Valley ($40,048). Belconnen had the lowest mean taxable income ($35,568). Queanbeyan recorded a lower mean taxable income than any SSD in the ACT ($33,524).

Details are in Regional Statistics, Australian Capital Territory, 2000 (cat. no. 1362.8). If you wish to purchase a copy of the publication, contact the ABS Bookshop in your capital city.