2902.0 - Census Update (Newsletter), Nov 1998  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 30/11/1998   
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Profiling Forest Communities

The Department of Primary Industries and Energy, through its Forests Division, is working with State Governments to develop joint Regional Forest Agreements which will be signed by both parties. The Agreements will aim to resolve the forest debates by finding a balance between the comprehensive, adequate and representative reservation of forest areas and the development of competitive and efficient forest industries. Agreements have been signed in Victoria and Tasmania.

The assessment of possible social implications of any decisions is an important part of the work supporting the development of Regional Forest Agreements. The Department of Primary Industries and Energy’s Forests Division is currently involved in data collection as part of a social assessment of communities in the North East NSW forest areas.


          ABS statistical consultants were approached for data that would facilitate :

          (a) development of community and regional profiles for each study area; and
          (b) analysis of forest-related industries.

This included provision of Basic Community Profiles for case study communities and Local Government Areas within the Upper and Lower North East study area (including demographic, labour force, housing and industry data).

Purpose built tables showing education, qualification, age and distribution of forest workers by specific categories of employment and by location for the past three census periods were also provided. See the table and map below which highlights one of these areas - Bellingen.

This data will be used in conjunction with environmental, heritage, and socio-economic information derived from surveys, interviews, reviews of literature, State and Commonwealth government databases and social research models.

The information derived will allow forest community coordinators and policy officers to provide evidence-based advice on anticipated impacts of Regional Forest Agreement decisions on forest dependent communities.


          This case study is provided by the Social Assessment Unit, Forests Division, Department of Primary Industries and Energy.

Below is an example of a Basic Community Profile for one of the Department's assessment areas - Bellingen (on the NSW North Coast).
B01 Selected Characteristics
Bellingen (A)
Male
Female
Persons
      Total persons (a)
6,139
6,114
12,253
      Aboriginal
113
124
237
      Torres Strait Islander
0
0
0
      Both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (b)
5
7
12
      Australian born
5,360
5,259
10,619
      Born overseas: Canada, Ireland, NZ, South Africa, UK (c) and USA
420
428
848
      Born overseas: Other country (d)
169
194
363
      Born overseas: Total
589
622
1,211
      Unemployed
577
301
878
      Employed
2,147
1,693
3,840
      Enumerated in private dwelling (a)
6,035
6,011
12,046

* An explanation of the footnotes is included on the ABS Web Site.


1996 Census of Population and Housing - Basic Community Profiles
Clarence (Statistical Subdivision)