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Media release –
National

National icons 'go green' for Census

8 August 2016 | CO/101

With just one more sleep before the 2016 Census, some of Australia’s most iconic landmarks and institutions will tonight ‘go green’, to celebrate the once every five year event.

Lead by the world-famous Sydney Opera House, which will be turning its iconic sails green from sunset over the next two nights, a total of 20 locations across all state and territories will light the night sky, reminding Australians to get online on August 9.

“Our vision is to light up the country green as a way of celebrating the 17th national Census, a magnificent way to mark the occasion and another first for the Census,” Head of the 2016 Census Program, Duncan Young, said.

“The colour green was chosen to represent the 2016 Census as it reinforces this year’s digital and environmentally friendly approach.”

The 2016 Census is the first predominantly digital Census and it is expected that more than two thirds of all households, some 16 million people, will complete it online. This will save more than $100 million and approximately 327 tonnes of paper—that’s the equivalent to approximately 231 family sedans.

Mr Young thanked the venues which will be going green on Census night and said the number of venues willing to participate was an indication of how valuable the community sees the Census.

“It’s been great to have so many venues get on board to celebrate the Census with us tomorrow night and we’re positive that everyone in Australia will share in the enthusiasm when they go to complete their Census, whether it’s online or on paper,” Mr Young said.

“Not only can people participate in the Census by completing their form, they can also get involved by spotting one of our green icons and posting a picture to our #MyCensus Facebook page. We’d love to see Australia go green.”

Use the #MyCensus tag on Twitter or Instagram to join the Census conversation and have your picture included as part of the visual collection of things we value as Australians. Visit mycensus.abs.gov.au for more information.

Everyone in Australia is required to complete a Census form to ensure Census data provides an accurate and complete picture of the nation.

Information gained from the Census is used for a range of planning purposes by all levels of government and private institutions. It is used to determine where community services are located and to support funding decisions, so it’s important everyone participates.

Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for what’s going green in your city.

For more information about the Census, visit census.abs.gov.au.


Landmarks 'going green' for Census - including dates

Victoria
Melbourne Arts Centre 9
th
Melbourne Star 9
th
AAMI Park 9
th
120 and 101 Collins Street,
Melbourne 9
th

South Australia
Adelaide Oval 9
th
Adelaide Casino 9th
Riverbank Bridge, Adelaide 9
-11th
New South Wales
Sydney Opera House 8-9th
Australian Capital Territory
Telstra Tower 9th
The Royal Australian Mint 9
th

Queensland
City Hall and King George Square, Brisbane 9th
Cairns City Library 5-10
th
Civic Precinct Fountain, Mackay 3-10
th
Victoria Bridge, Toowoomba 9
th

Western Australia
The Bell Tower, Perth 8-9th
Elizabeth Quay pedestrian bridge
and grass area, Perth 8-9
th
Perth City Council House 8-9
th
Tasmania
Franklin Square Fountain, Hobart 9th
Northern Territory
Darwin Convention Centre 9th



Background information on the 2016 Census of Population and Housing

Data collected from the 2016 Census will support funding decisions for services and infrastructure including housing, transport, education, industry, hospitals, and the environment.

2011 Census data reveals there are 902 light technicians, 12,774 electrical engineers, and 107,837 general electricians—some of which have helped light up our landmarks green.

For further information on the 2016 Census, visit census.abs.gov.au

For those who haven’t received any Census information, please contact the Census Inquiry Service on 1300 214 531. A paper form can be requested 24/7 through the Paper Form Request Service on 1300 820 275.

Key 2016 Census dates:

9 August 2016Census night
Mid Aug to late Sept 2016Household visits
April 2017The first results from the 2016 Census released



Media inquiries

National Media Manager (P) 02 6252 6617, 8.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday or 0429 955 731 outside of business hours (E)
census.media@abs.gov.au

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