1362.3 - Regional Statistics, Queensland, 2004  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 15/10/2004  Final
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MEDIA RELEASE

October 15, 2004
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
152/2004

The highs and lows of regional Queensland

Queenslanders in the Central West Statistical Division, including Longreach, had the lowest access to a doctor in the state, with over 1,250 people for each General Practitioner (GP) in the area during 2001, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). This compares to the average of 655 Queenslanders to every GP.

Residents of the Mackay Statistical Division had the lowest access to dentists (4,298 people for every dentist), while people in the North West Statistical Division had the lowest access to nursing professionals (158 people for every nurse in the area).

Other highlights from the publication, Regional Statistics, Queensland include:
    • Mt Isa experienced the largest decline in population in 2002-03 (down 184 people or -0.9%). There were 32 other shires in Queensland that also experienced a decline in population.
    • The Wide Bay-Burnett region recorded the state's highest unemployment rate of 11% in 2003. The Darling Downs-South West region had the lowest (5%).
    • Noosa shire had the highest media house price ($385,000) in the state in 2003, while Jericho in Central Queensland had one of the lowest ($10,000).
    • The majority (96%) of Queenslanders lived in 11% of the state's area within major cities and regional areas. The remaining 4% of the population lived in areas classified as remote and very remote.
    • The Gold Coast Tourism Region had the largest takings from accommodation of $358.5 million during 2003. The Brisbane Tourism Region recorded the highest room occupancy rate of 71%.
    • Redcliffe City continued to be the most densely populated local government area in Queensland, with 1,356 people per square kilometre in June 2003.
    • The people in Belyando Shire reported the state's highest average taxable income in 2001-02 of $54,353, which was over $20,000 more than the state average.

The publication contains regional information on population estimates, births and deaths, schools and students, income support, motor vehicle registrations, local government finances, average price of house sales and other economic and social data from non-ABS sources.

Further details are in Regional Statistics Queensland, 2004 (cat. no. 1362.3).

Regional media please note: Individual local profile tables are available on request.