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 | MEDIA RELEASE | |
| July 25, 2006 | Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST) | SA31/2006 |
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Census data helps your community: Collectors hit Naracoorte |
In just over two week’s time, on Tuesday 8 August 2006, more than 20.5 million people across Australia will be counted in the National Census. In South Australia, Census forms are about to be delivered to more than 670,000 households across the state by an army of Collectors from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
While most people are aware that they need to fill in a Census form on Census night, many may not be aware of the ways in which Census data is used to benefit their local community.
Mike McGrath, Regional Director, Australian Bureau of Statistics, South Australia, said:
“The Census gives us a snapshot of what is happening in local communities around the country once every five years. This information is invaluable in helping us to understand our communities and the characteristics within particular areas.”
Dennis Hovenden, CEO of the Naracoorte Lucindale Council, urges everyone in the local community to fill out their Census form.
"The Census provides the opportunity for everyone in Naracoorte and surrounding areas to stand up and be counted. Census data provides the Council, as well as community organisations and businesses in the community, with accurate and detailed data so that we are able to provide the services that you, our residents, need.
“Census data is used in much of our strategic planning and community development work. This important data gives us information about the make up of our community, such as, how many people are living in our local area, the range of ages in our community and whether people need assistance in their day to day lives. Through this information we are able to build a better future for our local area by directing services and facilities and developing programs where they are needed.”
Over the last few years in the local area, the Naracoorte Lucindale Council has used Census data in the following ways:
· To identify how the population is ageing and where older people live to enable the appropriate provision of services.
· To identify growth in the labour market and plan new services to support the change in the community landscape.
The Naracoorte Lucindale Council has experienced unprecedented growth over the last 10 years, particularly due to an increase in the horticulture and viticulture industries. There is also evidence of a significant increase in the South East Asian population in recent years, largely associated with those expanding industries.
The Council looks forward to the results of the coming Census to measure and record how the community has changed in recent times and to have information to hand to enable them to better plan services in the local area.
Census Collectors will begin delivering Census forms from 28 July. They will return to your household to collect forms from 9 August to 28 August.
It is important that everyone is counted in the Census. By completing a Census form on 8 August, you can help plan for a better Australia, and a better community.
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