MEDIA RELEASE
4 November 2011	Embargo: 11.30 am (Canberra time)	136/2011

Wyndham, Victoria is one of Australia’s fastest growing regions, with more than 12,000 new residents in 2010, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The Local Government Area of Wyndham’s population grew by almost 9% between 2009 and 2010 – more than five times the rate of Australia’s population growth over the same period.

Other Victorian regions in Australia’s “ten fastest growing” list include the Local Government Areas of Melton, Cardinia and Whittlesea.

The above population data are just a feature of many economic, social and environmental statistical online profiles updated today. This includes over 70 local government areas in Victoria and over 2000 regions across Australia.

The ABS's National Regional Profile makes it easy for local communities to compare their regions with neighbouring districts, other regions in Victoria and elsewhere in Australia.

There are data available on hundreds of items, including average income levels, unemployment rates, number of motor vehicles, value of building approvals, and much more.

For example, did you know:

• Wyndham also recorded the highest number of public sector building approvals in Australia with over 5200 approvals in 2009-10;
• The north-western shire of Buloke has the state’s highest proportion of registered motor vehicles over 10 years old - over 62%; and
• In Mansfield 73 per 1,000 of the population have a registered motorcycle, the highest proportion in Victoria.

Regional information is available over a five year period up to 2010, so local communities can track changes over time in the characteristics of their areas.

The Google Maps interface makes finding regions a cinch. To get started, just click on the ‘National Regional Profile’ link on the ABS website, www.abs.gov.au

Media Note:

• Unless otherwise indicated, regions in this media release refer to local government areas.
• When reporting ABS data you must attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.