Additional Information: The PDF file of the Northern Territory Regional Statistics (cat.no.1362.7) was published on Friday 22 December 2006.
NOTES
NEW IN THIS ISSUE
GEOGRAPHY
All data is presented by Statistical Subdivision (SSD) and, where available, by Statistical Local Area (SLA) according to the geographical boundaries defined in the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) 2004 (cat. no. 1216.0) unless otherwise indicated.
Seven tables are presented using geographical boundaries other than SSDs, including Indigenous Regions (previously Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Regions) (Table 3.6), NT Government administrative regions (Table 9.1), and Tourism Areas/Regions (Tables 13.4, 13.5, 13.6, 13.7 and 13.8). Maps of the Indigenous Regions and NT Government administrative regions are included, while Tourism Areas/Regions are defined by reference to SSD boundaries.
CHANGES FROM PREVIOUS ISSUE
Data is now presented for the NT’s 11 Statistical Subdivisions (SSDs). Previous issues presented data for the NT’s six NT Government administrative regions which comprised one or more SSDs.
Data is now presented for up to six years where available.
The following data was not available for inclusion in this issue:
- Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) Program participants;
- higher education enrolments at the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education;
- real estate market indicators.
CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS
As the data has been sourced from a wide variety of statistical collections, both ABS and non-ABS, care should be taken when analysing the data as time periods, definitions, scope, coverage and methodologies may differ. Some concepts, definitions and extended footnotes are covered in the Glossary; however more detailed information can be obtained from the relevant publication, data collection and/or agency noted at the bottom of each table as the source. Links to relevant ABS publications which can provide context for the regional data presented are also included.
NATIONAL REGIONAL PROFILE
This publication complements regional data for the NT published in National Regional Profile (cat. no. 1379.0.55.001) on the ABS web site.
INQUIRIES
For further information about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070 or Megha Raut on Darwin (08) 8943 2122.
MAIN FEATURES
INTRODUCTION
Regional Statistics, Northern Territory, 2006 presents selected statistics that demonstrate the regional diversity of the Northern Territory (NT). It brings together selected economic, social, population and environmental statistics from both the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and non-ABS sources to highlight aspects of life in the Territory and its regions over time.
All data in this publication is presented according to the 2004 version of the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) unless otherwise indicated. For the first time most current and historical data is presented for the NT's 11 Statistical Subdivisions (SSDs) rather than the NT Government's six administrative regions as in earlier editions of this publication. The NT Government's administrative regions comprise one or more SSDs. Maps of the geographical boundaries used to present data in this publication are provided.
POPULATION
ESTIMATED RESIDENT POPULATION
The preliminary estimated resident population in the NT at June 2005 was 202,793 with an average annual growth rate of 0.5% for the five years to June 2005. Population growth over these five years was unevenly spread across the NT. Most of the NT's 11 SSDs recorded an increase in their populations, with only the Finniss and Barkly SSDs recording a decrease (down 0.3% and 0.5% respectively). The largest increases in population during this period were recorded for the SSDs of Palmerston-East Arm (up 3.1%), Litchfield Shire (up 1.5%) and Bathurst-Melville (up 0.9%).
At 30 June 2005 more than half of the NT population lived in the Darwin City, Palmerston-East Arm and Litchfield Shire SSDs (55%). While Darwin City SSD had an average annual growth rate of 0.4% for the five years to June 2005, Palmerston-East Arm SSD contributed significantly to total population growth in the NT with an average annual growth rate of 3.1% followed by Litchfield Shire SSD at 1.5%.
AGE AND SEX STRUCTURE
Males continued to significantly outnumber females in the NT, with 113 males for every 100 females at 30 June 2004, compared to 98.9 males for every 100 females nationally. At 30 June 2004 males outnumbered females in every SSD, ranging from a high of 128 males per 100 females in Litchfield Shire SSD to a low of 104 males per 100 females in Bathurst-Melville SSD.
At 30 June 2004, the Daly and East Arnhem SSDs had the highest proportion of persons aged 14 years and under (comprising 34% and 31% respectively of the population of each SSD), while the Darwin City and Finniss SSDs had the lowest proportion at 21%. In contrast, the Finniss and Darwin City SSDs had the highest proportion of people aged 65 years and over (8% and 5% respectively ), while the East Arnhem and Bathurst-Melville SSDs had the lowest proportion (2% and 3%).
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
INDIGENOUS STUDENTS
At August 2005 there were 16,232 Indigenous students enrolled in the NT, representing 39% of all students. Indigenous students comprised 43% of all preschool enrolments, 39% of all primary school enrolments and 35% of all secondary school enrolments. During the five years to 2005 Indigenous student enrolments increased by 8% while non-Indigenous enrolments declined by 4%. The greatest increase in Indigenous student enrolments during this period was recorded in Palmerston-East Arm SSD (up 48%) followed by Darwin City SSD (up 26%), while the greatest decline in Indigenous student enrolments was recorded in Lower Top End SSD (down 28%), followed by the Barkly and Central NT SSDs (both down 8%).
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING
During the three years to 2005, total course enrolments in the vocational education and training (VET) sector in the NT increased by 37%, with Indigenous enrolments increasing slightly faster than non-Indigenous enrolments (up 26% and 22% respectively). The greatest increase in Indigenous VET enrolments between 2003 and 2005 was in the Barkly SSD (up 91%) followed by Lower Top End SSD (up 57%). The greatest decline in Indigenous VET enrolments was recorded in Palmerston-East Arm SSD (down 33%), followed by Central NT SSD (down 9%).
PRICES, INCOME AND EXPENDITURE
GROCERY PRICE SURVEY
The December 2005 Grocery Price Survey compiled by NT Treasury reported a moderate decline in prices across the NT during the 12 months to December 2005. The survey measures the cost of an average basket of goods (comprised of food, household supplies and personal care products) at each major supermarket in the NT and six interstate supermarkets. Between December 2004 and December 2005 the greatest decline in the cost of an average basket of goods was recorded in Alice Springs (down 5%), followed by Yulara and Darwin (both down 4%), and Nhulunbuy and Katherine (both down 2%)..
During the five years to December 2005, the greatest increase in the cost of an average basket of goods was recorded in Alice Springs (up 7%), followed by Darwin and Katherine (both up 6%), with Nhulunbuy recording a decline of 2%.
SELECTED VETERANS' PENSIONS
At June 2005 there were 1,460 pensioners in the NT receiving one or more of Disability, Veteran or Partner Service or War Widow(er) Pensions from the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA). The largest proportion of these pensioners resided in Darwin City SSD (49%), followed by Palmerston-East Arm SSD (20%), Central NT SSD (12%) and Litchfield Shire SSD (8%). The Disability Pension was the most common form of payment (received by 905 pensioners in the NT) followed by Veteran Service Pension (381)..
LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY
TRAFFIC INFRINGEMENTS
In 2005 there were 40,265 traffic infringement notices issued by police in the NT, up 59% from 2000. Exceeding the speed limit remained the most common type of traffic infringement notice in the NT, accounting for 77% of all traffic infringement notices in 2005, in comparison to 80% in 2000. Speed camera infringements occur predominantly in the Darwin City, Palmerston-East Arm, Litchfield Shire and Central NT SSDs.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Domestic violence applications are the initiating document in a domestic violence matter. They can be lodged by individuals or by police. In 2005 there were 2,370 domestic violence applications lodged in the Magistrates Court, up 40% from 2004. Between 2004 and 2005 the proportion of applications lodged by individuals decreased from 55% to 52% while the proportion of applications lodged by police increased from 45% to 48% over the same period. Domestic violence applications lodged by police outnumbered applications by individuals in five of the NT's 11 SSDs - Darwin City (59% of all applications), Bathurst-Melville (65%) Alligator (80%), Daly (65%) and Barkly (67%). In 2005 Barkly SSD recorded the highest rate of domestic violence applications lodged per 10,000 population (269), which was 22 times greater than the NT total application rate (12). In contrast, the Daly, East Arnhem and Darwin City SSDs recorded the lowest application rates (5, 7 and 8 per 10,000 population respectively).
APPREHENSIONS
During 2005 a total of 11,270 apprehensions were made in the NT, up by 10% compared to 2000. Barkly SSD recorded the highest apprehension rate per 10,000 population (1,343) in 2005, which was more than double the apprehension rate for the NT as a whole (576). In contrast the Litchfield Shire and Finniss SSDs recorded the lowest apprehension rates (62 and 131 per 10,000 population respectively).
HEALTH
CAUSES OF DEATH
During the period 2000-2004 the most prevalent causes of death in the NT were diseases of the circulatory system (including heart disease), accounting for 27% of all deaths, followed by malignant neoplasms (cancer) (20%). During the five years to 2004, the leading cause of death for the non-Indigenous population was diseases of the circulatory system (28%) followed by malignant neoplasms (cancer) (26% ). In contrast, while the leading cause of death for the Indigenous population was also diseases of the circulatory system (25% of Indigenous deaths), the next most common cause of death was external causes of morbidity and mortality, which includes transport accidents and intentional self-harm (18%).
TRANSPORT
PETROL PRICES
During the five years to December 2005, changes in the average price of unleaded petrol in Darwin, Alice Springs, Katherine and Tennant Creek generally reflected changes in the eight capitals average, although NT average prices remained considerably higher. At December 2005 Tennant Creek had the highest petrol price (130.60 cents per litre), followed by Alice Springs (130.40 cents per litre), Katherine (124.20 cents per litre) and Darwin (123.10 cents per litre). The eight capitals average price for the same period was 115.19 cents per litre.
HOUSING AND CONSTRUCTION
RESIDENTIAL BUILDING APPROVALS
Building approvals data is an indicator of expected building activity. Between 2003-04 and 2004-05, approvals for new houses in the NT increased by 24% (from 545 to 675). The majority of approvals for new houses in 2004-05 (62%) were concentrated in three of the NT's 11 SSDs, with Palmerston-East Arm SSD accounting for 39% of all new house approvals in 2004-05, followed by Litchfield Shire SSD (14%) and Darwin City SSD (9%). Approvals for new other residential building in the NT increased by 18% between 2003-04 and 2004-05 (from 593 to 702). The vast majority of new other residential buildings approvals in 2004-05 were in Darwin City SSD (79%) and Palmerston-East Arm SSD (11%).
Between 2003-04 and 2004-05, the total value of new houses approved in the NT increased by 42% (from $112m to $159m) while the total value of new other residential building approved in the NT increased by 44% (from $109m to $156m). The total value of alterations and additions to residential buildings approved in the NT also increased over the same period, up 23% (from $40m to $48m). Darwin City SSD accounted for the largest proportion of the total value of alterations and additions (35% or $17m), followed by Central NT SSD (21% or $10m).
PUBLIC HOUSING
Of all tenants allocated public housing in the NT during 2004-05, 52% had waited less than six months, 19% had waited six to 12 months, and 28% had waited more than a year. Applicants in the Lower Top End and Barkly SSDs experienced the shortest wait times, with the majority of tenants having waited less than six months (79% and 68% respectively). In contrast, applicants in the Darwin City, Palmerston-East Arm and Central NT SSDs experienced the longest wait times, with the majority of the tenants having waited six months or more (57%, 43% and 63% respectively).
MINING AND ENERGY
MINERAL PRODUCTION
In 2004-05 all of the NT's manganese, bauxite and alumina was produced in the East Arnhem SSD (where large mines are located at Groote Eylandt and Nhulunbuy) and amounted to 10.7m tonnes, an increase of 2% from the previous year. Gold production for the NT was 17.4m grams in 2004-05, down 10% from 19.3m grams in 2003-04. Central NT SSD accounted for 97% (16.9m grams) of gold produced. Between 2003-04 and 2004-05 production of silver in the NT also decreased by 22% from 1.7m grams to 1.3m grams. This was due to a decline in silver production in Alligator SSD (down 96%), Barkly SSD (down 40%) and Central NT SSD (down 10%). The production of non-metallic minerals in the NT decreased from 1.4m tonnes in 2003-04 to 1.3m tonnes in 2004-05, a decline of 7%. This can mainly be attributed to reduced demand for aggregate and rail ballast from quarry operations in the Alligator, Palmerston-East Arm and Central NT SSDs.
TOURISM
VISITORS TO THE NT
In 2005 Tourism NT recorded 1.4 million visitors to the NT, an increase of 2% from 2004. Of the 1.4 million visitors in 2005, 56% visited the Top End Area, 45% visited the Central Area, 20% visited the Katherine Area and 8% visited the Barkly Area. Despite recent increases in the number of visitors in the NT, the 2005 figure represents a 10% decline in visitor numbers since 2000. During the five years to 2005 the greatest decline in the number of visitors was recorded in the Barkly Area (down 33%), followed by the Top End, Katherine and Central Areas (down 14%, 13% and 12% respectively).
Between 2004 and 2005 the total number of visitor nights spent in the NT declined by 4%, with the Barkly Area reporting the greatest decline (down 22%), followed by the Top End, Katherine and Central Areas (down 8%, 7% and 3% respectively). During the five years to 2005 the total number of visitor nights spent in the NT declined by 25%, with the greatest decline recorded in the Katherine Area (down 35%), followed by the Barkly Area (down 28%) and the Top End and Katherine Areas (both down 23%).
NT ECONOMY
AGRICULTURE
During 2004-05 field crop production for the NT was estimated to be valued at $15m. This was primarily due to the value of seed and hay ($14m), the vast majority of which was produced in the Daly and Lower Top End NT SSDs ($6m each). During the same period fruit and vegetable production in the NT was valued at $82m, with fruit accounting for 82% ($67m) of this figure. Half of the NT's fruit ($33m) and 85% of the NT's vegetables ($12m) were produced in Litchfield Shire SSD.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCES
In 2004-05, Darwin City Council recorded the highest total revenue ($51m) and the highest level of total expenses ($52m) of the seven municipalities in the NT. During the three year period to 2004-05, Litchfield Shire municipality recorded the greatest increase in revenue (up 11%) followed by Katherine Town municipality (up 9%), while the Alice Springs and Tennant Creek municipalities recorded a decline (down 4% and 3% respectively). In contrast, the greatest increase in expenditure over this period was recorded by the Jabiru and Alice Springs municipalities (up 16% and 12% respectively), while Palmerston municipality recorded the greatest decrease in expenditure (down 9%).
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