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Chapter 8 - Geographic products
GEOGRAPHIC CLASSIFICATIONS AND CODES
Names and codes of the geographical areas used in the 2006 Census will be available in three volumes of Statistical Geography publications. These publications will contain explanatory notes about the classifications and definitions of the areas used in the Census. The second volume will include explanations of user-defined areas for which Census data can be provided.
Volume 1 Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) 2006 Census Edition (cat. no. 1216.0)
This publication will list all the ASGC structures effective from 1 July 2006 and will show the hierarchical relationships within each structure. It will also include information about changes to geographic areas between Census 2001 and Census 2006.
Indicative release date: September 2006
Volume 2 Census Geographic Areas, Australia (cat. no. 2905.0)
This publication will list the names and codes for the standard Census output areas not covered by the ASGC. Many of the geographic areas described in this volume are derived by aggregating Collection Districts (CDs) that best fit the original area.
Indicative release date: Early 2007
Volume 3 ASGC Urban Centres/Localities, 2006 Census Edition (cat. no. 2909.0)
This volume will list the names and codes of the Urban Centres and Localities (UC/Ls) that are defined in accordance with criteria set out in the ASGC, using the person counts collected by the Census. As the UC/Ls will be defined using person counts from the 2006 Census, this publication will not be available until late 2007, when classification of these areas is expected to be finalised.
Indicative release date: Late 2007
MAP DATA
The ABS will offer a range of map data for the 2006 Census including:
- Collection District Maps
- Digital Boundaries.
CD maps will be available in electronic form using a generic display format or can be printed in hard copy if required.
Collection District Maps
Collection District maps display the individual CD boundary and the code for that CD. The maps also display a range of topographic features within the CD such as roads, rivers and national parks, and cadastral features such as property boundaries.
Indicative release date: Late 2006
Digital Boundaries
Digital boundaries of all ASGC and Census-specific areas provide a geographic representation of the selected area. They can only be used in desktop mapping packages and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). They have a range of applications, from the production of simple reference maps, to complex spatial data analysis which references information from various sources.
The boundaries are designed to follow base map features such as roads and water ways.
Digital boundaries can only overlay exactly the digital base map on which they have been prepared. All ABS digital boundaries were created against the PSMA Australia Ltd national topographic database which was current at the time of their creation from mid 2004 through early 2005. Users wanting to overlay ABS Digital Boundaries on their own digital base map data may need to adjust the boundaries to accomplish a precise fit.
Generally non-ASGC boundaries are not updated outside of Census years. However it is proposed, depending on demand, to update Electoral Divisions concordances as redistributions occur.
Indicative release date: Progressively from late 2006
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