Small Area Labour Market data for Sept quarter

While we were overseas for the Christmas break the Dept of Employment released their Sept Small Area Labour Market (SALM) data, which we have only now seen. The SALM estimates are created using data from Centrelink data of people in receipt of Newstart and Youth Allowance by postcode, the ABS …read more

Regional building approvals a mixed bag

Regional building approvals data for Nov has turned out to be a bit of a mixed bag. The unadjusted data from the ABS shows that Cairns (including Douglas) saw a total of just 42 approvals (half of the total for Oct), the Cassowary Coast saw a sharp uptick to 14 …read more

Building Approvals rally continues in Cairns

The strong bounce in national building approvals noted last week (which was not replicated in QLD) appears to have been a feature in Cairns during October. ABS data released this morning show total unadjusted approvals in Cairns and Douglas were 84; Townsville 168 and Cassowary Coast just 4. As always, …read more

Building Approvals hold up in FNQ

Despite the rather disappointing QLD Building Approvals data reported on last week (see here), the regional data released this morning shows that things are holding up OK in the Far North. The ABS produce raw (unadjusted) data for the Local Government Areas and this shows Cairns (incl Port Douglas) at …read more

FNQ Councils ramp up opposition to proposed NDRRA changes

As we commented on at the time (see here) the Productivity Commission draft report into disaster relief funding contained some very worrying recommendations around NDRRA disaster funding. The proposed reduction in Federal assistance from 75% to 50% would result in a massive, and achievable, increase in the share of cash …read more

Updated Small Area Labour Market graph

Our previous blog regarding the Dept of Employment Small Area Labour Market (SALM) data contained a graph showing the unemployment rate for the Cassowary Coast, Cairns and Townsville Local Government Areas. We had previously been tracking the aggregated unemployment rate for the CCRC using the “old” Statistical Local Area data …read more

Small Area Labour Market data for the Far North

Every quarter the Department of Employment produce their Small Area Labour Market (SALM) statistics. Following the changes to the ABS geographical standards this year the Dept have been struggling to put together the data for the March and June quarters of 2014. It’s been a long time waiting but today …read more

Building Approvals continue to strengthen in the Far North

Following on from the solid building approvals data last week for the nation and State (see here), today sees the regional data also showing a strong trend in the Far North. Approvals in Cairns and Douglas came in at 59 in August, Cassowary Coast at 11 and Townsville at 148. …read more

Productivity Commission report on Disaster Funding a real problem

The recently released Productivity Commission draft report on Natural Disaster Funding (available here) should be, and no doubt already is, of great concern to State and Local Governments. Under the present Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) the Federal Government meets up to 75% of the cost of disaster …read more

Solid start to the year for Building Approvals

ABS data this morning for Building Approvals in July beat market expectations. Seasonally adjusted approvals were up 2.5% for the month (against expectations around +1.7%) for a 9.4% increase on the year. The bulk of the increase came from the highly volatile units sector, with housing approvals up by just …read more

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