1307.8 - Australian Capital Territory in Focus, 2002  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 24/09/2002   
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MEDIA RELEASE

September 24, 2002
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
122/2002
Recycling on the rise in Canberra

Canberrans recycled 354,779 tonnes of waste products during 2000-01, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today. This was an increase of nearly 4% on 1999-2000 and an increase of 92% on the 1995-96 figure.

The latest edition of ACT in Focus 2002 provides a detailed statistical review of important and interesting aspects of life in the ACT. It includes information on the environment, government, economy, people, education, labour market, business, housing, tourism, the Australian Capital Region and more.

Highlights from ACT in Focus 2002 include:
  • Canberra enjoyed an average of 7.8 hrs of sunshine per day in 2001. The long-term average was 7.5 hrs. The month of May 2001 recorded an average of 7.3 hours of sunshine per day, compared with the average of 5.6 hours.
  • The ACT had the second youngest population in Australia during 2001, with a median age of 33.3 years. The population of the Northern Territory was the youngest with a median age of 29.6 years.
  • Canberrans led Australia in the use of the Internet, with 51% using the Internet in the weeks just prior to the 2001 Census, compared with 29% for Australia.
  • There were over 10,000 employing businesses located in the ACT at June 2001, with 88% using computers. Of these, 73% had Internet access and 26% had a Web presence.
  • The ACT had the second highest rate of volunteers for all states and territories in 2001, with 36% of the population aged 18 years and over actively volunteering.
  • The trend annual average unemployment rate in the ACT has fallen since 1996-97 (7.5%) to an average of 4.9% in 2000-01.
  • The largest businesses in the ACT (turnover above $1m) were in the Retail, Construction and the Accommodation, Cafe and Restaurant industries.
  • Total value of construction in the ACT fell by 33% to $629.9m in 2000-01. Non-residential construction fell 43% while residential construction and engineering construction both fell 30%

ACT in Focus is a must for those who want topical and relevant facts about the ACT and surrounding area at their fingertips. The 2002 edition also provides a fascinating account of the history of Canberra from early Aboriginal settlement to current events.
    Further details can be found in ACT in Focus 2002 (cat. no 1307.8).