1376.0 - Local Government and ABS (Newsletter), Dec 2007
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 12/12/2007
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Newsletters - Local Government and ABS - Issue 20, December 2007
About this newsletter 'Local Government and ABS' is a quarterly newsletter published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to help the Local Government Sector use statistics to assist with planning and other community servicing decisions. This is a free newsletter and we encourage you to forward it to others and post it on your bulletin board. Anyone is welcome to receive 'Local Government and ABS' - for details on how to subscribe to this newsletter see 'Newsletter and ABS Contact Details'.
Detailed statistics for both live births and fertility, and deaths and mortality for 2006 were released by the ABS in two recent publications: Births, Australia, 2006 (cat. no. 3301.0) Released on 29 October 2007, this publication presents statistics on live births and fertility for 2006, with analysis of related demographics such as male and female births, births of Indigenous children, age and birthplace of parents, duration of marriage, previous issue of the current relationship, nuptial and exnuptial births, single and multiple births, usual residence of mother (by state or territory), and regional comparisons. Also presented are comparisons of various rates and time series comparisons. Data are available for states and territories, Statistical Divisions, Statistical Local Areas and Local Government Areas. Two feature articles of interest are also included, which are entitled 'Delayed Indigenous birth registrations in Australia' and 'How many children do Australian women have?'. The publication highlights that Australia's total fertility rate increased to 1.81 babies per woman in 2006, compared to 1.79 in 2005, which is largely attributable to an increase in births for women aged 30 to 39 years. The median age of all mothers who gave birth in 2006 was 30.8 years, and for fathers was 33.1 years. Overall there were 265,900 births registered in Australia in 2006. Deaths, Australia, 2006 (cat. no. 3302.0) This publication was released on 9 November 2007, and contains statistics on deaths and mortality for 2006. The number of deaths are classified by age, sex, birthplace, marital status, cause of death and usual residence of deceased by state or territory, and also information on infant deaths, deaths of Indigenous persons, age-specific death rates, expectation of life at birth and standardised death rates. Data cubes on deaths are included for states and territories, Statistical Divisions, Statistical Local Areas and Local Government Areas. Death rates and life expectancy tables are also included for states and territories. Of particular interest, the publication draws attention to the continual increase in life expectancy in Australia, with the life expectancy of a boy born today being 78.7 years, while for a girl 83.5 years. The Australian Capital Territory recorded the highest life expectancy for both males and females in 2006, while the Northern Territory experienced the lowest life expectancy for both males and females in 2006. In 2006 there were 133,700 deaths in Australia. Upcoming release of the National Regional Profile The fourth edition of the National Regional Profile (NRP) is due for release in late February 2008. This edition spans the years 2002 to 2006 with data based on the geographical boundaries described in the 2006 edition of the Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC). The NRP provides a brief statistical summary of key economic and social information for various levels of the ASGC including Statistical Local Areas and Local Government Areas (LGAs) making the NRP a useful tool for users of small area data. Improvements in the February 2008 release The upcoming release of the NRP will feature a number of improvements on the current edition (released in late 2006) including:
For further information on the National Regional Profile please email: regional.statistics@abs.gov.au. Update on Second Release 2006 Census Data 2006 Community Profiles and Census Tables Updated 2006 Community Profiles and Census Tables were released on 27 November 2007 and are available for viewing free of charge on the ABS website. In this latest release the already existing Community Profiles and Census Tables were expanded to include second release Census data items and also Place of Enumeration and Time Series Profiles. 2006 Census Community Profiles and Census Table are available to view or download on the ABS website via the Census of Population and Housing homepage. Census DataPacks The ABS has released a CD-ROM product called Census DataPacks, which contain 2006 Census of Population and Housing Community Profile Data for all of Australia down to the Collection District level in comma-separated values (CSV) format and the matching digital boundary basemaps in generic Geographical Information System (GIS) format. Please note that there is no software included in this product and that Census DataPacks are a charged product. For more information, or to order Census DataPacks contact the National Information Referral Service on 1300 135 070 or see the 'DataPacks Product Brief'. Census Data Quality The Census Data Quality page on the ABS website was updated on 15 November 2007, and provides Census data users with important information and updates on Census data quality issues as they arise. There are three components to this page:
Collections Electronic forms for the annual data collection, conducted cooperatively by the ABS and the Department of Local Government and Local Government Grants Commission in each state and the Northern Territory, have now been dispatched for all jurisdictions. Whilst return due dates are different in each state, data for the earlier due date states have started to be received by the ABS via the Department of Local Government and the Grants Commission. The main focus of the Local Government Statistical Unit (LGSU) over the next few months will be processing the data in time for use in the ABS National Accounts. Given the tight deadlines involved, the LGSU encourages all councils to return their forms to their respective Department of Local Government or Grants Commission at the earliest possible time. To assist in the quality assurance processes the LGSU performs on the data, the ABS would also encourage all councils to complete the relevant comments section of the form to report any unusual activity which has occurred. The LGSU has now completed the quarterly survey of financial information for the September quarter 2007 cycle. The letters requesting data for the December quarter 2007 will be dispatched on 17 December 2007. The due date for councils to return the completed form is 9 January 2008. Once again, the form will request only a restricted range of data items but seeks a prompt response in order to ensure the financial activity of local government is accurately represented in Australia's National Accounts, which are prepared on a quarterly basis. As always ABS personnel are available to assist councils in completing the form where requirements are unclear. LGSU would like to thank all councils for promptly returning their previous quarter's form. The LGSU would also like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families a safe, happy and healthy Christmas and New Year. We look forward to continuing to work with you in 2008. Contact For further information or inquiries about Local Government Statistics, contact the Local Government Statistical Unit on (07) 3222 6022. Recent ABS Releases What's New in Regional Statistics, Dec 2007 (cat. no. 1386.0) Released on 5 December 2007, What's New in Regional Statistics is a biannual newsletter with a focus on regional and small area statistics. It also includes topical articles and reviews of relevant ABS publications and developments. In particular, it highlights developments in statistics relevant to regions, including metropolitan, urban, non-urban and rural areas, and other information of likely interest to researchers, policy makers and other users of small area data. Regional Statistics, Northern Territory, 2007 (cat. no. 1362.7) Released on 31 October 2007, this publication presents a statistical summary of key economic and social information for the Northern Territory (NT) as a whole and various regions within it, by Statistical Subdivision and Statistical Local Areas where available. It contains both current and historical data which is drawn from both ABS and non-ABS sources including: the Australian Tax Office, Territory Housing, Department of Employment and Workplace Relations' and the NT Department of Health and Community Services. This publication includes information on population, employment, education and training, prices, income and expenditure, law and public safety, health, transport, housing and construction, agriculture and fisheries, mining and energy, tourism, imports and exports and government finance. Indigenous statistics are also included. Data are also available in a time series for the first time. This latest release forms a key part of the ABS' strategy to improve the availability and range of regional statistical information. Its purpose is to give users an overview of the social, economic and environmental characteristics of the NT and its regions. Building Approvals, Australia, Oct 2007 (cat. no. 8731.0) Released on a monthly basis, Building Approvals, Australia, provides data by Statistical Local Area in datacubes, including:
Seasonally adjusted and trend estimates by state are included for the number of dwelling units and value of building approved. Australian Standard Geographical Classification, Jul 2007 (cat. no. 1216.0) Released on 28 September 2007, Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) is an annual publication outlining the geographical classification system designed and maintained by the ABS which divides Australia into geographical areas for the purpose of collecting and disseminating statistics. The ASGC is a common framework of statistical geography consisting of seven ASGC structures, in which statistics may be compiled and aggregated for output at differing geographical levels. The purposes of this publication are to outline the ASGC structures, describe the codes and names of geographical areas used and depict the statistical relationship between different types of geography used in the classification. Note: The Australian Standard Geographical Classification is currently under review. For further information on this review refer to: Review of the Australian Standard Geographical Classification, 2007 (cat. no. 1216.0.55.001). Tourist Accommodation, Australia, Jun 2007 (cat. no. 8635.0) This publication was released on 27 September 2007, and presents the results from the on-going quarterly Survey of Tourist Accommodation. Data are presented on the supply of, and demand for, tourist accommodation facilities, including number of establishments, capacity and employment for the quarter and occupancy and takings from accommodation for each month; by type of establishment and by star grading. Data are provided for each state/territory and Australia and by Tourism Regions as defined by the respective state or territory commissions, and may be a useful reference for policy makers, industry monitors and advisors. Links to previous editions of Local Government and ABS Local Government and ABS Issue 19 September 2007 Local Government and ABS Issue 18 June 2007 Local Government and ABS Issue 17 March 2007 Local Government and ABS Issue 16 December 2006 Local Government and ABS Issue 15 September 2006 Newsletter and ABS Contact Details This newsletter is one way to help improve communication between the ABS and the Local Government Sector. New ABS initiatives to assist local government organisations will be announced in this newsletter as they evolve. We would appreciate receiving your views and suggestions about this newsletter so that it remains useful and assists you to understand and use ABS statistics. We would also welcome suggestions for articles that you feel should be included. Please email your comments and suggestions to regional.statistics@abs.gov.au or telephone (08) 8237 7598. To subscribe to this newsletter, see the Free email notification service on the ABS web site. Choose the 'Update your subscription' option. In the next screen select the 'Advanced' tab. Choose the Topic - '1. General', then the Subtopic - '13. Year books and other multi-subject products'. Press 'Go', then from the selection list tick '1376.0 - Local Government and ABS' and any other products of interest, and fill in the remaining fields on the form to set up your subscription. Alternatively you can complete the following form where these selections have been made on your behalf - Subscribe Local Government and ABS. If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please modify your subscription via the 'Free email notification service' on the ABS web site. Select the 'Remove products' subscription option then follow the steps outlined above to select '1376.0 - Local Government and ABS' to be removed from your subscription service. For other enquiries contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070 or e-mail: client.services@abs.gov.au. Document Selection These documents will be presented in a new window.
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