1367.2 - State and Regional Indicators, Victoria, Jun 2004  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 10/08/2004   
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MEDIA RELEASE

August 10, 2004
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
132/2004

Victorian employment up almost 2%

The number of employed people in the Melbourne Statistical Region increased by an estimated 3.7% in the year ending May 2004, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The largest percentage growth in the state was in the Goulburn-Ovens-Murray region (10%). Large decreases were estimated for Loddon-Mallee (15%) and Barwon-Western District (7%) regions. The overall increase in employed people for the State was nearly 2%.

These figures on employment growth are amongst a wide range of latest social, economic and environmental Victorian state and regional indicators, released today by the ABS in its publication, State and Regional Indicators, Victoria.

Victoria's population increased 1.3% in the year ending December 2003. Net overseas migration and natural increase continue to be the drivers of population growth in Victoria, with 8,800 net overseas immigrants and a natural increase of 6,700 people (births minus deaths) contributing to Victoria's population growth in the December quarter 2003.

Estimates did however show that Victoria lost a net one thousand people during the quarter to live in other Australian states and territories. This was the third consecutive quarter of negative net interstate migration in Victoria.

The publication also showed that Victorian building activity (i.e. new houses) has become less responsive to real interest rate changes since September quarter 1989.

Before September quarter 1989, the lag length between the change in real interest rates and Victorian building activity was an average of two quarters. Since September quarter 1989, this lag has increased to five quarters.

Other highlights in State and Regional Indicators, Victoria include:
  • Victorian water storages at end of June 2004 were at 29% capacity, 7% higher than a year ago.
  • Air quality has been "very good" across Victoria, in relation to ozone pollutants and visible pollutants.

More details, including information on regional Victoria, tourism, price index statistics and taxable income by local government area are in State and Regional Indicators, Victoria, June Quarter 2004 (cat. no. 1367.2).