ABS: Bowen shire on the move , Oct 2000

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MEDIA RELEASE

October 05, 2000
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
130/2000


ABS: Bowen shire on the move


Brian Doyle, the Regional Director of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Queensland Office announced today that the Australian Statistician, Dennis Trewin, has decided to transfer the Local Government Area (LGA) of Bowen Shire from the Northern Statistical Division (SD) to the Mackay SD.

This decision follows a period of extensive consultation and consideration of the issues. The Queensland Government Office of Economic and Statistical Research (OESR) provided a report to the ABS recommending the change following its own wide consultations, involving many State government agencies and other key stakeholders. The ABS considered not only the submission from the OESR, but also the many individual submissions the ABS had received from various sectors of the community.

Mr Doyle said that the decision was a difficult one, but that the weight of evidence of strong organisational and administrative links between Bowen Shire and the LGAs of the Mackay SD, was significant. These links are reflected in existing regional planning and development strategies.

The ABS carefully considered all the arguments against making the change, including the potential disruption to existing statistical series. To address this concern, the ABS will work with OESR to produce relevant time series data based on the new boundaries.

For most people, the decision will have little impact, as it does not affect the way that people shop or travel. What it will do is recognise the existing and strengthening links between shire organisations and agencies in Bowen (S) and the LGAs of Mackay SD and provide a more relevant statistical framework to guide the planning and development of the region.

The boundary change will take effect on 1 July 2001. A diagram of current boundaries is shown below.


Population effects of the change


Estimated Resident Population
Old Statistical Division
New Statistical Division
Mackay
Northern
Mackay
Northern

1991
110,301
182,581
123,793
169,089
1996
120,324
192,179
133,466
179,037
1999p
125,977
197,302
138,780
184,499

p - figures for 1999 are preliminary estimates

Current Boundaries