Suncorp Bank Family Friendly City Report Introduction
Launceston and Canberra have scooped the pool as Australia’s most family friendly cities, bumping Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane to 14th, 23rd and 24th positions respectively, according to a study into the family friendliness of the nation’s 30 largest cities. The inaugural Suncorp Bank Family Friendly Index shows that half of the top 10 family friendly cities are not state or territory capitals and instead include the smaller, regional cities of Albury/Wodonga, Toowoomba, and Launceston. The report finds that crowded, stressful, urban jungles and under serviced Eastern seaboard capitals are being upstaged by regional towns as the most family friendly cities in Australia. The inaugural Suncorp Bank Family Friendly City Index monitors the most populated 30 cities in Australia and ranks them according to which city is the most family friendly across 10 key indicators. The indicators themselves are divided into two categories; Primary and Secondary. Primary indicators refer to those indicators that have a larger bearing on a city’s ‘livability’, (such as, crime education and housing) as such these indicators are weighted double that of the secondary indicators. While the Index analyses indicators such as Education, Crime, Health, Income, Unemployment and Connectivity, some notable omissions include Environment (climate and weather), Lifestyle (beaches and parks) which have not been included due to their subjective nature and a lack of consistent data for each of the 30 cities analysed.
Methodology To derive the rankings for the Suncorp Bank Family Friendly City Index each city was systematically ranked on each of the 10 indicators. For reasons previously explained the primary indicators received added weight when compiling the index, with each primary indicator worth double that of a secondary indicator. Each of the indicators raw sources were tallied and then ranked one to thirty, with one being the most desirable score and thirty being the least. All scores (or ranks) were totalled with the lowest score being given the overall number one rank of the inaugural Suncorp Bank Family Friendly Index.
A note about data sources The Suncorp Bank Family Friendly Index is based on measurements gathered through robust government and private sector quantitative data that is publicly available. The following data sources were used to obtain the index measurements.
Unemployment • Percentage of the working age population unemployed • Data sourced from the 2011 census • http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/censushome.nsf/home/data?opendocument#from-banner=LN
Income • Average individual taxable income • Data from 2010/11 • Sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics • http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/Lookup/by%20Subject/1301.0~2012~Main%20Features~Household%20income, %20expenditure%20and%20wealth~193
Connectivity • % of households with broadband internet connections • Data sourced from the 2011 census • http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/censushome.nsf/home/data?opendocument#from-banner=LN
Health 1 • Number of GP services provided over the course of 12 months as a ratio of the population • Data from 2010/11 • Sourced from the Social Health Atlas of Australia 2012 http://www.publichealth.gov.au/data/
Health 2 • Current long-term condition and reporting either very good or excellent health (self-assessment) • Data from 2008 • Sourced from the Social Health Atlas of Australia 2012 http://www.publichealth.gov.au/data/
2 Suncorp Bank Crime • Crime rates per 100,000 of population • Latest available data by state • Sourced from the ABS, Australian Federal Police, Victorian Police, Queensland Police, Western Australian Police, NSW Bureau of Crime statistics, SA Office of Crime statistics and research
Education • Number of school aged children in each city divided by the number of schools • Data from 2011/212 • Sourced from Australian Bureau of Statistics and www.education.net.au
Child Care • Number of infants aged 0-4 divided by the number of child care centres • Data from 2012 • Sourced from http://www.echildcare.com.au/
Housing • Based on average cost of housing in each city • Most up-to-date data sourced from 2011 and 2012 • Sourced from www.domain.com.au
Community • Based on local government data released in October 2012 • Voluntary work for a group or organisation (based on ABS 2011 census data) • Sourced from the Social Health Atlas of Australia 2012 http://www.publichealth.gov.au/data/ Family Friendly Index Key Indicators
Five primary indicators
Crime Health 1 Education Housing Unemployment Crime rates divided Average number Schools in city Average cost of Unemployment by population of of GP visits region divided by house in city rate of city the city by population of number of school the city age children
Five secondary indicators
Income Child Care Health 2 Connectivity Community Median weekly Childcare centres Self-assessment of Percentage of Percentage of disposable income in city divided by long-term health of internet broadband city population that number of children city population connection in each volunteer for an aged 0-4 years home organisation or group
Family Friendly City Report 3 Suncorp Bank Family Friendly City Index (Key indicator and overall ranking)
City (State/ Rank Territory) Crime Health 1 Education Housing Unemployment Health 2 Income Connectivity Childcare Community Total
1st Launceston 3 4 1 4 7 15 29 29 6 13 130 (TAS) 2nd Canberra 29 6 5 28 3 2 1 1 1 1 148 (ACT) 3rd Toowoomba 16 8 16 6 1 13 14 12 15 8 156 (QLD) 4th Albury/ 19 7 6 3 12 12 21 17 12 7 163 Wodonga (NSW) Equal Adelaide (SA) 1 24 9 20 19 9 10 13 4 9 191 5th Equal Perth (WA) 22 12 11 23 6 1 4 4 13 21 191 5th 7th Hobart (TAS) 4 20 17 11 10 11 30 25 6 4 200
Equal Darwin (NT) 6 5 26 29 2 21 2 8 17 17 201 8th Equal Bunbury (WA) 2 2 28 14 8 7 7 28 27 24 201 8th 10th Bundaberg 14 11 2 5 24 29 11 27 11 19 209 (QLD) Equal Mackay (QLD) 17 16 3 21 5 27 13 10 13 25 212 11th Equal Burnie (TAS) 5 1 18 1 29 28 28 30 3 15 212 11th 13th Mandurah 15 9 19 17 16 4 8 16 22 30 232 (WA) Equal Melbourne 13 22 10 27 15 5 9 7 16 22 233 14th (VIC) Equal Wagga 24 17 21 8 11 8 20 20 21 2 233 14th Wagga (NSW) Equal Bendigo (VIC) 10 13 22 9 22 10 25 22 23 5 237 16th Equal Townsville 27 3 29 16 4 24 16 11 8 20 237 16th (QLD) 18th Newcastle 7 18 7 25 14 22 23 15 9 28 239 (NSW) 19th Rockhampton 23 10 4 10 23 23 12 23 25 17 240 (QLD) 20th Sunshine 11 30 15 22 17 19 17 5 4 6 241 Coast (QLD) 21st Wollongong 9 25 8 19 25 26 22 14 2 22 258 (NSW) 22nd Ballarat (VIC) 21 15 13 7 30 6 26 24 29 3 260
23rd Sydney 8 27 12 30 18 14 5 3 24 26 262 (NSW) 24th Brisbane 28 21 24 26 9 17 3 2 18 11 267 (QLD) 25th Geelong (VIC) 12 19 27 18 20 3 27 21 26 14 283
26th Hervey Bay 18 26 20 12 27 30 6 19 10 26 297 (QLD) 27th Cairns (QLD) 30 14 25 15 26 20 15 9 19 16 299
Equal Gold Coast 26 23 14 24 13 18 18 6 30 29 301 28th (QLD) Equal LaTrobe 25 28 23 2 21 16 24 26 28 9 301 28th Valley (VIC) 30th Coffs Harbour 20 29 30 13 28 25 19 18 20 12 334 (NSW) Key findings • Launceston is Australia’s number 1 ‘family friendly’ city, ahead of Canberra • Of the ‘big three’ Melbourne is ranked 14th, ahead of Sydney (23rd) and Brisbane (24th) • Queensland is the most family friendly state, with six cities in Australia’s top 20 family friendly • Tasmanian city of Burnie is Australia’s healthiest city while Launceston enjoys the least crowded schools • Queensland regional hotspot Toowoomba is the employment capital of Australia • Adelaide is Australia’s safest city, with the lowest levels of crime • Canberra is the volunteer capital of Australia with the city’s population clocking up more community work hours than any other city, while it also wins the childcare and disposable income categories.
4 Suncorp Bank Crime In a surprise result Adelaide took out the title of Australia’s safest city, having the lowest crime rate (per 100,000 of the population). The measurement took into account all criminal activity over a 12 month period, with Western Australia’s Bunbury and Tasmania’s Launceston rounding out the top three. Cairns, Canberra and Brisbane had some of the highest recoded criminal activity over the reporting period with more than 10% of the population experiencing some form of crime, including domestic violence, fraud and sexual assault.
Crime rates (per Crime rates (per Rank City (State/Territory) 100,000 of population Rank City (State/Territory) 100,000 of population
1st Adelaide (SA) 2,365 16th Toowoomba (QLD) 8,530
2nd Bunbury (WA) 2,830 17th Mackay (QLD) 8,568
3rd Launceston (TAS) 3,182 18th Hervey Bay (QLD) 8,845
4th Hobart (TAS) 3,182 19th Albury/Wodonga (NSW) 9,188
5th Burnie (TAS) 3,769 20th Coffs Harbour (NSW) 9,571
6th Darwin (NT) 4,606 21th Ballarat (VIC) 9,711
7th Newcastle (NSW) 5,025 22th Perth (WA) 10,047
8th Sydney (NSW) 5,150 23th Rockhampton (QLD) 11,436
9th Wollongong (NSW) 6,323 24th Wagga Wagga (NSW) 11,712
10th Bendigo (VIC) 6,438 25th LaTrobe Valley (VIC) 11,977
11th Sunshine Coast (QLD) 6,804 26th Gold Coast (QLD) 12,083
12th Geelong (VIC) 7,021 27th Townsville (QLD) 12,768
13th Melbourne (VIC) 7,865 28th Brisbane (QLD) 13,205
14th Bundaberg (QLD) 8,143 29th Canberra (ACT) 14,593
15th Mandurah (WA) 8,504 30th Cairns (QLD) 15,531
Health 1 The Northern Tasmanian city of Burnie is the healthiest city in Australia with each resident only visiting their doctor on average 1.3 times over the course of the year. This indicator measured how often the city’s population visited their GP over the course of 12 months with Burnie bettering Western Australia’s Bunbury, Queensland’s Townsville and fellow Tasmanian city Launceston for the top spot. According to this measure Australia’s unhealthiest city is the Sunshine Coast, where the average resident visits their GP eight times over a 12 month period. Coffs Harbour, Sydney and the La Trobe Valley also featured in the bottom three of Australia’s unhealthiest cities.
GP visits GP visits Rank City (State/Territory) per person Rank City (State/Territory) per person
1st Burnie (TAS) 1.3 Equal 16th Mackay (QLD) 4.8
2nd Bunbury (WA) 2 Equal 16th Wagga Wagga (NSW) 4.8
Equal 3rd Townsville (QLD) 2.9 18th Newcastle (NSW) 5
Equal 3rd Launceston (TAS) 2.9 19th Geelong (VIC) 5.1
5th Darwin (NT) 3.3 20th Hobart (TAS) 5.3
6th Canberra (ACT) 3.5 Equal 21st Brisbane (QLD) 5.4
7th Albury/Wodonga (NSW) 3.8 Equal 21st Melbourne (VIC) 5.4
8th Toowoomba (QLD) 3.9 23rd Gold Coast (QLD) 5.5
9th Mandurah (WA) 4 24th Adelaide (SA) 5.6
Equal 10th Rockhampton (QLD) 4.3 25th Wollongong (NSW) 5.9
Equal 10th Bundaberg (QLD) 4.3 26th Hervey Bay (QLD) 6
12th Perth (WA) 4.4 Equal 27th Sydney (NSW) 6.1
Equal 13th Bendigo (VIC) 4.5 Equal 27th LaTrobe Valley (VIC) 6.1
Equal 13th Cairns (QLD) 4.5 29th Coffs Harbour (NSW) 7.1
15 Ballarat (VIC) 4.6 30th Sunshine Coast (QLD) 8
Family Friendly City Report 5 Education Launceston school aged children enjoy the title of having the least crowded schools according to the Family Friendly Index. This indicator measured the number of children in each city (aged 5 through to 19) divided by the number of schools located within a 10km radius of the city. Queensland regional hubs Bundaberg and Mackay were ranked 2nd and 3rd respectively. However, another Queensland regional hub Townsville recorded one of the worst results with 1,127 children per school, beaten only by the NSW regional city of Coffs Harbour which has the most crowded schools in the country with 1,521 kids per school.
Number of children at Number of children at each school (based on each school (based on Rank City (State/Territory) 5 to 19 ages) Rank City (State/Territory) 5 to 19 ages)
1st Launceston (TAS) 323 16th Toowoomba (QLD) 658
2nd Bundaberg (QLD) 349 17th Hobart (TAS) 659
3rd Mackay (QLD) 378 Equal 18th Burnie (TAS) 663
4th Rockhampton (QLD) 432 Equal 18th Mandurah (WA) 663
5th Canberra (ACT) 450 20th Hervey Bay (QLD) 694
6th Albury/Wodonga (NSW) 467 21st Wagga Wagga (NSW) 715
7th Newcastle (NSW) 492 22nd Bendigo (VIC) 750
8th Wollongong (NSW) 494 23rd LaTrobe Valley (VIC) 767
9th Adelaide (SA) 515 24th Brisbane (QLD) 775
10th Melbourne (VIC) 542 25th Cairns (QLD) 856
11th Perth (WA) 548 26th Darwin (NT) 978
12th Sydney (NSW) 563 27th Geelong (VIC) 1007
13th Ballarat (VIC) 591 28th Bunbury (WA) 1070
14th Gold Coast (QLD) 614 29th Townsville (QLD) 1127
15th Sunshine Coast (QLD) 651 30th Coffs Harbour (NSW) 1521
Housing With a potential saving of up to $400,000, it is little wonder more Australians are moving to regional cities such as Burnie, the LaTrobe Valley and Albury-Wodonga. Buying a family home in these areas costs less than half of what you will pay to live in a major capital like Sydney, which is unsurprisingly the most expensive place to own a house. Rounding out the most expensive places to live are resource boom hotspot Darwin and home of the national public service sector Canberra.
Average cost of Average cost of Rank City (State/Territory) a house Rank City (State/Territory) a house
1st Burnie (TAS) $230,000 16th Townsville (QLD) $365,000
2nd LaTrobe Valley (VIC) $232,000 17th Mandurah (WA) $373,000
3rd Albury/Wodonga (NSW) $267,000 18th Geelong (VIC) $386,000
Equal 4th Launceston (TAS) $280,000 19th Wollongong (NSW) $397,000
Equal 4th Bundaberg (QLD) $280,000 20th Adelaide (SA) $405,000
6th Toowoomba (QLD) $286,000 21th Mackay (QLD) $420,000
7th Ballarat (VIC) $300,000 22th Sunshine Coast (QLD) $430,000
8th Wagga Wagga (NSW) $305,000 Equal 23rd Perth (WA) $467,000
9th Bendigo (VIC) $311,000 Equal 23rd Gold Coast (QLD) $467,000
10th Rockhampton (QLD) $320,000 25th Newcastle (NSW) $474,000
Equal 11th Hobart (TAS) $330,000 26th Brisbane (QLD) $505,000
Equal 11th Hervey Bay (QLD) $330,000 27th Melbourne (VIC) $530,000
13th Coffs Harbour (NSW) $335,000 28th Canberra (ACT) $545,000
14th Bunbury (WA) $340,000 29th Darwin (NT) $609,000
15th Cairns (QLD) $345,000 30th Sydney (NSW) $642,000
6 Suncorp Bank Unemployment Queensland’s largest inland city, Toowoomba, recorded the lowest level of unemployment, which may be in part due to the generation of jobs to help with recovery efforts following the devastating floods in and around the Lockyer Valley in 2011, with the city at 1.9% unemployment. Darwin (2.1%) and Canberra (2.9%) were the cities with the next lowest unemployment levels. Ballarat, Burnie and Coffs Harbour recorded the highest unemployment rates on and around 8%, thanks largely to manufacturing downturns which have crippled regional communities over the past decade.
Rank City (State/Territory) Unemployment Rank City (State/Territory) Unemployment
1st Toowoomba (QLD) 1.90% 16th Mandurah (WA) 5.10%
2nd Darwin (NT) 2.10% 17th Sunshine Coast (QLD) 5.30%
3rd Canberra (ACT) 2.90% 18th Sydney (NSW) 5.60%
4th Townsville (QLD) 3.20% 19th Adelaide (SA) 5.90%
5th Mackay (QLD) 3.50% 20th Geelong (VIC) 6.00%
6th Perth (WA) 3.70% 21st LaTrobe Valley (VIC) 6.10%
7th Launceston (TAS) 3.80% 22nd Bendigo (VIC) 6.40%
8th Bunbury (WA) 3.90% Equal 23rd Rockhampton (QLD) 6.70%
9th Brisbane (QLD) 4.00% Equal 23rd Bundaberg (QLD) 6.70%
10th Hobart (TAS) 4.20% 25th Wollongong (NSW) 6.90%
11th Wagga Wagga (NSW) 4.50% 26th Cairns (QLD) 7.20%
Equal 12th Albury/Wodonga (NSW) 5.00% 27th Hervey Bay (QLD) 7.50%
Equal 12th Gold Coast (QLD) 5.00% 28th Coffs Harbour (NSW) 7.80%
Equal 14th Newcastle (NSW) 5.10% Equal 29th Burnie (TAS) 8.00%
Equal 14th Melbourne (VIC) 5.10% Equal 29th Ballarat (VIC) 8.00%
Health 2 The second health indicator is a self-assessment based on whether the residents of each city consider themselves in excellent or very good health. While the measurement is subjective, it is nonetheless a worthwhile indicator into how a city’s residents perceive their health, which can be used as a comparison to the overall population. Perth is the nation’s healthiest city with 72% of the city’s population considering their long-term health outlook very good or excellent. Canberra, Geelong and Mandurah are also in good health. Mandurah is the second city in Western Australia in the top three, making WA the nation’s most healthy state. Hervey Bay, Bundaberg and Burnie are the nation’s ‘unhealthiest’ with only 60% of the population considering themselves in very good or excellent health.
Rank City Score (%) Rank City Score (%)
1st Perth (WA) 72 16th La Trobe Valley (VIC) 67.8
2nd Canberra (ACT) 71.9 17th Brisbane (QLD) 67.5
Equal 3rd Geelong (VIC) 70 18th Gold Coast (QLD) 67.4
Equal 3rd Mandurah (WA) 70 19th Sunshine Coast (QLD) 66.6
5th Melbourne (VIC) 69.9 Equal 20th Cairns (QLD) 66.4
6th Ballarat (VIC) 69.8 Equal 20th Darwin (NT) 66.4
7th Bunbury (WA) 69.6 22nd Newcastle (NSW) 66.2
8th Wagga Wagga (NSW) 69.5 23rd Rockhampton (QLD) 66.1
9th Adelaide (SA) 69.2 24th Townsville (QLD) 65.7
10th Bendigo (VIC) 69 25th Coffs Harbour (NSW) 65.6
11th Hobart (TAS) 68.8 26th Wollongong (NSW) 65.5
12th Albury/Wodonga (NSW) 68.7 27th Mackay (QLD) 65.1
13th Toowoomba (QLD) 68.1 28th Burnie (TAS) 64.8
Equal14th Sydney (NSW) 67.9 29th Bundaberg (QLD) 64.2
Equal14th Launceston (TAS) 67.9 30th Hervey Bay (QLD) 60.7
Family Friendly City Report 7 Income Australia’s capital city Canberra took out the gong for Australia’s wealthiest city, which measured average wages and disposable income from the 2011 calendar year as recorded by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Canberra, which employs Australia’s most senior public servants, recorded median weekly disposable income of $1,009 which is more than $52,000 a year, around the cost of a new family sized sedan. One of the main themes we wanted to measure was how ‘wealthy’ a city was in terms of its citizens and the contribution they make to the local economy. It was argued that if a city had more disposable income it’s citizens would have more income to drive the local economy and hence increase the ‘wealth’ of that city and its contribution to the national economy The Tasmanian cities of Hobart, Launceston and Burnie recorded the lowest median weekly disposable income $593.
Median weekly disposable Median weekly disposable Rank City (State/Territory) income (2011) Rank City (State/Territory) income (2011)
1st Canberra (ACT) $1,009 Equal 11th Townsville (QLD) $670
2nd Darwin (NT) $895 Equal 11th Sunshine Coast (QLD) $670
3rd Brisbane (QLD) $783 Equal 11th Gold Coast (QLD) $670
4th Perth (WA) $780 Equal 19th Coffs Harbour (NSW) $652
5th Sydney (NSW) $779 Equal 19th Wagga Wagga (NSW) $652
Equal 6th Hervey Bay (QLD) $743 Equal 19th Albury/Wodonga (NSW) $652
Equal 6th Bunbury (WA) $743 Equal 19th Wollongong (NSW) $652
Equal 6th Mandurah (WA) $743 Equal 19th Newcastle (NSW) $652
9th Melbourne (VIC) $732 Equal 24th LaTrobe Valley (VIC) $610
10th Adelaide (SA) $726 Equal 24th Bendigo (VIC) $610
Equal 11th Bundaberg (QLD) $670 Equal 24th Ballarat (VIC) $610
Equal 11th Rockhampton (QLD) $670 Equal 24th Geelong (VIC) $610
Equal 11th Mackay (QLD) $670 Equal 28th Burnie (TAS) $593
Equal 11th Toowoomba (QLD) $670 Equal 28th Launceston (TAS) $593
Equal 11th Cairns (QLD) $670 Equal 28th Hobart (TAS) $593
Connectivity Canberra took out the connectivity indicator, with a massive 78.4% of all households having broadband internet in their home. State capitals Brisbane (75.10%) and Sydney (73.80%) rounded out the top three. Again, Tasmania lagged the rest of the country with Burnie (59.80%) and Launceston (61.0%) recording the lowest scores overall.
Rank City (State/Territory) Broadband in home (2011) Rank City (State/Territory) Broadband in home (2011)
1st Canberra (ACT) 78.40% Equal 14th Wollongong (NSW) 66.90%
2nd Brisbane (QLD) 75.10% 17th Albury/Wodonga (NSW) 66.50%
3rd Sydney (NSW) 73.80% Equal 18th Hervey Bay (QLD) 66.30%
4th Perth (WA) 73.40% Equal 18th Coffs Harbour (NSW) 66.30%
Equal 5th Gold Coast (QLD) 73.00% 20th Wagga Wagga (NSW) 66.00%
Equal 5th Sunshine Coast (QLD) 73.00% Equal 21st Bendigo (VIC) 65.50%
7th Melbourne (VIC) 72.60% Equal 21st Geelong (VIC) 65.50%
8th Darwin (NT) 70.40% 23rd Rockhampton (QLD) 65.30%
9th Cairns (QLD) 70.30% 24th Ballarat (VIC) 65.20%
10th Mackay (QLD) 69.40% 25th Hobart (TAS) 64.80%
11th Townsville (QLD) 69.10% 26th LaTrobe Valley (VIC) 63.00%
12th Toowoomba (QLD) 68.10% 27th Bundaberg (QLD) 62.00%
13th Adelaide (SA) 67.20% 28th Bunbury (WA) 61.60%
Equal 14th Mandurah (WA) 66.90% 29th Launceston (TAS) 61.00%
Equal 14th Newcastle (NSW) 66.90% 30th Burnie (TAS) 59.80%
8 Suncorp Bank Child Care Canberra infants enjoy the least crowded child care centres and more one-on-one interaction with carers according to the Index. The indicator looked at the number of infants (aged 0-4 years) in each city and divided that by how many long- and short-term childcare centres operated in and around the city. Wollongong and Burnie rounded out the top three family friendly childcare cities. On the other end of the spectrum, the Gold Coast (30th), Ballarat (29th) and the LaTrobe Valley (28th) represented the cities with the most crowded child care centres in the country, with almost 300 children per child care centre.
Children per childcare Children per childcare centre (based on 1 to 4 centre (based on 1 to 4 Rank City (State/Territory) years) Rank City (State/Territory) years)
1st Canberra (ACT) 27 16th Melbourne (VIC) 106
2nd Wollongong (NSW) 42 17th Darwin (NT) 110
3rd Burnie (TAS) 65 18th Brisbane (QLD) 116
Equal 4th Adelaide (SA) 71 19th Cairns (QLD) 120
Equal 4th Sunshine Coast (QLD) 71 20th Coffs Harbour (NSW) 123
Equal 6th Launceston (TAS) 77 21st Wagga Wagga (NSW) 125
Equal 6th Hobart (TAS) 77 22nd Mandurah (WA) 146
8th Townsville (QLD) 80 23rd Bendigo (VIC) 147
9th Newcastle (NSW) 81 24th Sydney (NSW) 148
10th Hervey Bay (QLD) 88 25th Rockhampton (QLD) 154
11th Bundaberg (QLD) 89 26th Geelong (VIC) 155
12th Albury/Wodonga (NSW) 92 27th Bunbury (WA) 164
Equal 13th Perth (WA) 95 28th LaTrobe Valley (VIC) 202
Equal 13th Mackay (QLD) 95 29th Ballarat (VIC) 237
15th Toowoomba (QLD) 98 30th Gold Coast (QLD) 292
Community One in four ‘Canberrans’ volunteer their time and energy each year for an organisation or group, making them Australia’s most community-oriented state or territory. NSW rural hub Wagga Wagga and Victoria’s Ballarat were 2nd and 3rd respectively in this category. Western Australia’s Mandurah holds the title of Australia’s least philanthropic city with less than 15% of its population volunteering during the past 12 months. The Gold Coast and Newcastle rounded out the bottom three cities for this indicator, both with less than 16% of the population undertaking volunteer work.
Population % Population % that volunteer with that volunteer with an organisation an organisation Rank City or group Rank City or group
1st Canberra 24.80% 16th Cairns 17.90%
2nd Wagga Wagga 24.40% Equal 17th Rockhampton 17.80%
3rd Ballarat 22.50% Equal 18th Darwin 17.80%
4th Hobart 22.10% 19th Bundaberg 17.40%
5th Bendigo 21.50% 20th Townsville 17.30%
6th Sunshine Coast 20.90% 21st Perth 17.10%
7th Albury/Wodonga 20.70% Equal 22nd Wollongong 16.90%
8th Toowoomba 20.60% Equal 22nd Melbourne 16.90%
Equal 9th La Trobe Valley 19.40% 24th Bunbury 16.50%
Equal 9th Adelaide 19.40% 25th Mackay 16.10%
11th Brisbane 19.20% Equal 26th Sydney 16%
12th Coffs Harbour 19% Equal 26th Hervey Bay 16%
13th Launceston 18.80% 28th Newcastle 15.80%
14th Geelong 18.60% 29th Gold Coast 15.40%
15th Burnie 18.00% 30th Mandurah 14.50%
Family Friendly City Report 9 1. Launceston – Where the Living is Easy European settlers arrived in the 1830s, and the area won selection by ballot for the federal capital in 1908. Canberra’s special contrast of nature and urban living was planned in 1912 by master designer, Rank Indicator Walter Burley Griffin, a Chicago architect, who won an international 3rd Crime design competition.
4th Health 1 The provisional Parliament House opened in 1927 in what was then a treeless paddock. Since then, Canberra has grown into a vibrant, 1st Education cosmopolitan city with national attractions housing the heritage, 4th Housing history and national collections that make Canberra the home of the 7th Unemployment Australian story.
15th Health 2 www.visitcanberra.com.au
29th Income 3. Toowoomba – The Garden City 29th Connectivity
6th Child Care Rank Indicator 13th Community 16th Crime 11 Townsville (QLD) 8th Health 1 12 Toowoomba (QLD) 16th Education 13 Adelaide (SA) 6th Housing
According to the Launceston City website Launceston has a 1st Unemployment fantastic lifestyle, low unemployment, Mediterranean climate, great 13th Health 2 educational opportunities, low levels of crime and affordable real estate make Launceston an ideal sea-change destination. 14th Income Launceston offers a ‘climate for living’ away from the gridlock of city 12th Connectivity congestion with the ambience of a cosmopolitan European city. The 15th Child Care freshest air, the healthiest climate and the wildest places are on the 8th Community city’s doorstep. North eastern Tasmania is fast becoming known as a “haven” from Toowoomba is a picturesque mountain city located in south east the harshest impacts of global climate change. Queensland some 127Km west of the states capital, Brisbane. Quite simply, Launceston is a perfect place to; Clinging to the edge of the Great Dividing Range escarpment at an • Build a business altitude of seven hundred meters above sea-level, the city affords breathtaking views of Table Top Mountain and the Lockyer Valley • Find your “dream job” region across the east. • Progress your career The city covers an area of approx. 117 Sq Km and is centred at the • Unleash your creativity intersection of the Warrego and New England highways. • Raise a family. Toowoomba’s climate can best be described as pleasant with http://www.launceston.tas.gov.au/lcc/ temperature ranges averaging a cool 5°C to 16°C in winter and a mild 17°C to 27°C in summer. 2. Canberra – Australia’s Capital Region Throughout the second half of the nineteenth century, Toowoomba would prosper, being proclaimed a municipality in 1860, a township in 1892, and a city in 1904. Rank Indicator There are many things to see and do in Toowoomba all year round. 29th Crime In spring time, Toowoomba’s parks and gardens become vibrant 6th Health 1 and ablaze with colour and life, and to celebrate Toowoomba’s 5th Education status as “The Garden City”, every year in September the Carnival
28th Housing of Flowers is held, with a street parade, and other activities. http://www.toowoomba.org/ 3rd Unemployment
2nd Health 2
1st Income
1st Connectivity
1st Child Care
1st Community
Canberra is modern city, set within extensive parks and gardens and enjoys four distinct seasons. It will celebrate its centenary as the nation’s capital in 2013. Canberra is located in the Australian Capital Territory, surrounded by New South Wales. The city is 150 kilometres inland and 571 metres above the Pacific Ocean, 281 kilometres from Sydney and 660 kilometres from Melbourne. The latitude and longitude is 35 degrees south and 149 degrees east. Located on the ancient lands of the Indigenous Ngunnawal people, Canberra’s name is thought to mean ‘meeting place’, derived from the Aboriginal word Kamberra.
10 Suncorp Bank 4. Albury-Wodonga – The Twin Cities 5. Perth – City of Light
Rank Indicator Rank Indicator
19th Crime 22nd Crime
7th Health 1 12th Health 1
6th Education 11th Education
3rd Housing 23rd Housing
12th Unemployment 6th Unemployment
12th Health 2 1st Health 2
21st Income 4th Income
17th Connectivity 4th Connectivity
12th Child Care 13th Child Care
7th Community 21st Community
Albury and Wodonga are located on opposite sides of the Murray Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of River, with Albury City located in New South Wales and the City Western Australia. It is the fourth most populous city in Australia. of Wodonga located in Victoria. The cities are situated some 300 Perth’s metropolitan area is formally divided into a number of local kilometres north-east of Melbourne and 570 kilometres south-west government areas, which themselves consist of a large number of of Sydney. Albury City is bound by Greater Hume Shire in the north, suburbs, extending from Two Rocks in the north to Rockingham in north-east and north-west, while the City of Wodonga is bound by Towong Shire in the south-east and Indigo Shire in the south and the south, and east inland to The Lakes. south-west. Perth was originally founded by Captain James Stirling in 1829 as The region has a distinctive natural beauty: the majestic Murray the administrative centre of the Swan River Colony, and gained city River winds its way through alpine terrain to the east and fertile river status in 1856 (currently vested in the smaller City of Perth). Perth plains to the west.It combines the convenience of a metropolitan became known worldwide as the “City of Light” when city residents lifestyle with the appeal of rural living. The region is all about letting lit their house lights and streetlights as American astronaut John people enjoy life at their own pace, whether that be taking a stroll Glenn passed overhead while orbiting the earth on Friendship 7 in along the river’s edge, a day trip to historic Beechworth or the 1962. The city repeated the act as Glenn passed overhead on the wineries at Rutherglen, a hit of golf on one of the four golf courses, Space Shuttle in 1998. water activities at Lake Hume or taking advantage of the proximity of the snowfields, there is something for everyone. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perth http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albury-Wodonga cityofperth.wa.gov.au alburywodongaaustralia.com.au westernaustralia.com 5. Adelaide – City of Churches 7. Hobart – The Colonial City
Rank Indicator Rank Indicator
1st Crime 4th Crime
24th Health 1 20th Health 1
9th Education 17th Education
20th Housing 11th Housing
19th Unemployment 10th Unemployment
9th Health 2 11th Health 2
10th Income 30th Income
13th Connectivity 25th Connectivity
4th Child Care 6th Child Care
9th Community 4th Community
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest The City of Hobart is one of the most beautiful and liveable Cities city in Australia. Adelaide is north of the Fleurieu Peninsula, on in the world. As the second oldest city in Australia the City offers a the Adelaide Plains between the Gulf St Vincent and the low-lying wonderful blend of built and cultural heritage; environment; a vibrant Mount Lofty Ranges which surround the city. Adelaide stretches 20 art and dynamic sporting culture and a low stress lifestyle.Nestled km (12 mi) from the coast to the foothills, and 90 km (56 mi) from under Mt Wellington on the Derwent River Hobart is renowned for its Gawler at its northern extent to Sellicks Beach in the south. heritage buildings, beautiful parks, fine restaurants, the Salamanca Named in honour of Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen, queen consort to Markets and its Festivals. It is a city rich in maritime history, and King William IV, the city was founded in 1836 as the planned capital is shaped and defined by water. A diverse range of craft including for a freely settled British province in Australia. Early Adelaide was shaped by religious freedom and a commitment to political Antarctic supply vessels, sailing dinghies, catamarans, kayaks, progressivism and civil liberties, which led to the moniker “City of ocean racing yachts, fishing boats and square riggers ply the waters Churches”. of the Derwent. Adelaide is noted for its many festivals and sporting events, its food, http://www.hobartcity.com.au/Hobart/Living_in_Hobart wine and culture, its long beachfronts, and its large defence and manufacturing sectors. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adelaide southaustralia.com
Family Friendly City Report 11 8. Darwin – The Cosmopolitan City 10. Bundaberg – A city of Charm
Rank Indicator Rank Indicator
6th Crime 14th Crime
5th Health 1 11th Health 1
26th Education 2nd Education
29th Housing 5th Housing
2nd Unemployment 24th Unemployment
21st Health 2 29th Health 2
2nd Income 11th Income
8th Connectivity 27th Connectivity
17th Child Care 11th Child Care
17th Community 19th Community
Darwin is arguably Australia’s most cosmopolitan city, boasting Bundaberg was named in 1867, the name coming from the linking a population made up of people from more than 60 nationalities of “Bunda” the name of an aboriginal elder and “berg” being a and 70 different ethnic backgrounds. The city’s multicultural mix is variation of an old Saxon word for town (burg). These days a more particularly highlighted by its many exciting ethnic cultural festivals familiar version has surfaced with the name being shortened to and weekly food and craft markets.Darwin has evolved from its Bundy for use in conversation. days as an incredibly laid back frontier town and while it still retains With the Great Barrier Reef just off our shores and a host of things its relaxed charm, it has become a highly sophisticated city. In to see and do, Bundaberg is a great place to visit. business and industry circles, Darwin is described as Australia’s http://www.sunzine.com.au/bundaberg/bundaberg-city.html gateway with South East Asia. It’s closer to the Indonesian capital of Jakarta than it is to Canberra and is about the same flying time from bundabergregion.org Singapore and Manila as it is from Sydney and Melbourne. http://www.darwin.nt.gov.au/ 11. Mackay – The Sugar Capital’
8. Bunbury – The City of Three Waters Rank Indicator 17th Crime
Rank Indicator 16th Health 1
2nd Crime 3rd Education
2nd Health 1 21st Housing
28th Education 5th Unemployment
14th Housing 27th Health 2
8th Unemployment 13th Income
7th Health 2 10th Connectivity
7th Income 13th Child Care
28th Connectivity 25th Community
27th Child Care Mackay is a city on the eastern coast of Queensland, Australia, 24th Community about 970 kilometres (603 mi) north of Brisbane, on the Pioneer River. Mackay is nicknamed the sugar capital of Australia because The port city of Bunbury is the third largest city in Western Australia its region produces more than a third of Australia’s cane sugar.[2] after the state capital, Perth, and Mandurah. It is situated 175 Tropical, picturesque and relaxed, Mackay city offers everything kilometres (109 mi) south of Perth’s central business district (CBD). you could want from a major regional centre. The blue Pioneer River The port services the farming, mining and timber industries of the flows past the city’s historical buildings, and stately palm trees south west originally connected via an extensive rail network. fringe the main street with shopping hotspots, and plenty of magical The city of Bunbury is renowned for its wild but friendly bottlenose spots for a picnic by the river, or dine al fresco by the marina on our dolphins which you can meet at the shoreline or out in the bay fabulous local seafood. aboard a dolphin watching and swimming tour. It’s also the setting Mackay is famous for its history as one of Australia’s largest cane of many maritime legends and the northern gateway to Australia’s farming regions. However, in recent years, the mining industry has South West - one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth, where become the mainstay of the local economy. Heavy investment and world-class wine, pristine beaches and forests of timber giants can planning is also going into Mackay’s growing tourism industry. all be enjoyed in a single day. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mackay,_Queensland http:www/bunbury.wa.gov.au
12 Suncorp Bank 11. Burnie – Australia’s sleepy city 14. Melbourne – Australia’s cultural capital
Rank Indicator Rank Indicator
5th Crime 13th Crime
1st Health 1 22nd Health 1
18th Education 10th Education
1st Housing 27th Housing
29th Unemployment 15th Unemployment
28th Health 2 5th Health 2
28th Income 9th Income
30th Connectivity 7th Connectivity
3rd Child Care 16th Child Care
15th Community 22nd Community
Burnie overlooks Emu Bay, on the north-west coast of Tasmania. The entire Melbourne metropolitan area covers 7,694 sq km and Burnie is a proud industrial city and is Australia’s fifth largest has a population of around 4.1 million, it also hosts over a million container port. Burnie was once surrounded by dense rainforest, but international visitors each year. this slowly disappeared as fortunes were made felling and milling Melbourne has a reputation for its changeable weather. A tip for any timber. The paper and pulp mill on the city’s outskirts operated from visitor is to be prepared for anything – take an umbrella and wear 1938 to 1998. layers that can be worn or removed as needed. As a general rule, Melbourne enjoys a temperate climate with warm Burnie was first explored by Bass and Flinders and was known as to hot summers, mild and sometimes balmy springs and autumns, Emu Bay when it was settled by the Van Diemen’s Land Company and cool winters. in 1827.Burnie experiences temperate conditions, with an average While Melbourne has a reputation for rain, the city actually receives maximum of 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit) in January less rainfall than either Brisbane or Sydney. and 13.5 degrees Celsius (56.5 degrees Fahrenheit) in June. http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/AboutMelbourne/ The city is 30 minutes’ drive west of Devonport or 152 kilometres MelbourneProfile/Pages/Melbournelifestyle.aspx (94.5 miles) north-west of Launceston. http://www.about-australia.com/destinations/burnie/ 14. Wagga Wagga – The City of Good Sports burnie.net Rank Indicator 13. Mandurah – Dynamic, Diverse 24th Crime and Friendly 17th Health 1
21st Education Rank Indicator 8th Housing 15th Crime 11th Unemployment 9th Health 1 8th Health 2 19th Education 20th Income 17th Housing 20th Connectivity 16th Unemployment 21st Child Care 4th Health 2 2nd Community 8th Income
16th Connectivity The City of Wagga Wagga is part of the Murrumbidgee Region in the heartland of the New South Wales Riverina. 22nd Child Care Wagga Wagga is also one of the seven recognised EvoCities in 30th Community regional New South Wales. These are Cities which as defined as Mandurah is one of the most vibrant regional cities in Western clean and green, vibrant, dynamic, innovative, Australia. The city is also a gateway to the State’s South West professional, accessible and globally linked regional destinations Region. Situated on Western Australia’s beautiful coastline about that provide a certain quality of life and livability that continues to 72km south of Perth, Mandurah prides itself on a mix of inner city attract visitors and residents alike. and semi-rural living between the Indian Ocean, the expansive Known as the “City of Good Sports”, many of Australia’s sporting waterways of the Peel-Harvey Estuary and the lower reaches of the heroes hail from the regional city of Wagga Wagga, including Serpentine River. former Australian cricket captain Mark Taylor, rugby league great Mandurah has retained its relaxed, holiday atmosphere despite Peter Sterling and AFL legend Paul Kelly. The high number of elite recent rapid growth as a major ‘sea change’ destination in Australia. athletes produced by the Riverina City was the subject of a study by One of Mandurah’s greatest assets is its diverse and friendly the Australian Institute of Sport in 2005. The research proved that community. Voted twice as WA’s Top Tourism Town, Mandurah the City’s talent pool was more than just good luck, describing the welcomes friends and family from around the globe to enjoy its sporting phenomenon as the ‘Wagga Effect’. relaxed coastal lifestyle. In fact, the name Mandurah is derived from http://www.wagga.nsw.gov.au/ the Aboriginal word, ‘mandjar’ meaning ‘meeting place’. http://www.mandurah.wa.gov.au/
Family Friendly City Report 13 16. Bendigo – The Goldrush City 18. Newcastle – The Steel City
Rank Indicator Rank Indicator
10th Crime 7th Crime
13th Health 1 18th Health 1
22nd Education 7th Education
9th Housing 25th Housing
22nd Unemployment 14th Unemployment
10th Health 2 22nd Health 2
25th Income 23rd Income
22nd Connectivity 15th Connectivity
23rd Child Care 9th Child Care
5th Community 28th Community
The City of Greater Bendigo is situated in the geographic centre Newcastle is Australia’s second oldest city, and is a region rich with of Victoria, on traditional Jaara Country, covering 3,000 square unique history. The Awabakal and Worimi peoples are recognised kilometres. Bendigo has a rich and prosperous heritage dating and acknowledged as traditional custodians of the land and waters back to the days when gold was discovered in the area in the of the Newcastle area. The earliest Aboriginal reference to the 1850s. Since then, Bendigo has been the second highest producing naming of Newcastle is Muloobinba, meaning edible sea fern. goldfield in Australia and remains the seventh largest in the world. Following European settlement, Newcastle became a penal station, Bendigo’s rich gold history has produced a city of unparalleled a coal town, a steel city. Today, it is NSW’s second largest city and opulence and grandeur. Stunning architecture and manicured the seventh largest city in Australia. gardens are all symbolic of Bendigo. Formerly known as “Steel City’’, Newcastle has undergone a transformation in the past decade from an industrial town - home to http://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/About_us/About_Greater_Bendigo BHP Steelworks for more than 90 years - to a buzzing, compact and highly liveable city with a vibrant culture of cafes, food and wine, 16. Townsville – The Gateway City surf, art, theatre, music and fashion. http://www.visitnewcastle.com.au/pages/newcastle-snapshot/ Rank Indicator
27th Crime 19. Rockhampton – The Beef capital
3rd Health 1 of Australia
29th Education Rank Indicator 16th Housing 23rd Crime 4th Unemployment 10th Health 1 24th Health 2 4th Education 16th Income 10th Housing 11th Connectivity 23rd Unemployment 8th Child Care 23rd Health 2 20th Community 12th Income
Townsville is the capital of North Queensland and remains one 23rd Connectivity of the fastest growing cities in the state. Located about halfway between the tip of Cape York and Brisbane, Townsville stretches 25th Child Care across 3,736km2 and is nestled on the shores of Cleveland Bay. 17th Community Even from its earliest days, Townsville has been the commercial, Rockhampton, the Beef Capital of Australia is located on the industrial and administrative hub of North Queensland. The city’s Tropic of Capricorn and is the gateway to the Coast and the strategic location, with rail and road links the north, south and west Outback. Founded in 1853, the majesty of Rockhampton’s historical allows the sea port to manage shipments of minerals, livestock, architecture has captured the hearts of visitors for decades. sugar and other cargo. Businesses are also attracted by our plentiful supply of water, power and real estate. The city is renowned for its Many fine public and private buildings, including the Customs easy going lifestyle, tropical weather, and natural surroundings, from House, old Post Office, Cathedrals, banks, business houses arid landscapes to rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef. Family- and homes, are constant reminders of the city with an exciting friendly entertainment and vibrant cultural experiences are on offer background. Six bull statues representing the main breeds of both day and night. In terms of lifestyle, Townsville has something the area are situated throughout Rockhampton in recognition of for everyone! Rockhampton’s Beef Capital of Australia title. Gracemere Saleyards, on the outskirts of Rockhampton, handle the largest throughput http://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/townsville/cityinfo/Pages/default.aspx of export beef cattle in Queensland, and is the largest stud-selling venue in the Southern Hemisphere. Public are welcome. Experience the country in the city at the Great Western Hotel, which holds weekly rodeos at the back of the pub. http://www.sunzine.com.au/rockhampton/rockhampton-city.html rockhamptioregion.qld.gov.au
14 Suncorp Bank 20. Sunshine Coast – City of Beaches 22. Ballarat – The Resting Place
Rank Indicator Rank Indicator
11th Crime 21st Crime
30th Health 1 15th Health 1
15th Education 13th Education
22nd Housing 7th Housing
17th Unemployment 30th Unemployment
19th Health 2 6th Health 2
17th Income 26th Income
5th Connectivity 24th Connectivity
4th Child Care 29th Child Care
6th Community 3rd Community
Although it does not have a central business district, by population Ballarat is located on the Yarrowee River and lower western plains the Sunshine Coast ranks as the 10th largest metropolis in Australia of the Great Dividing Range in the state of Victoria, Australia, and the third largest in Queensland. approximately 105 kilometres (65 mi) west-north-west of the state The Sunshine Coast economy is currently dominated by three main capital; Melbourne. Ballarat is the third most populous urban area in sectors – tourism, retail and construction. The region also has a the state and one of Australia’s most populated inland settlements. strong agricultural sector. Strong efforts are being made to diversify Ballarat was named by Scottish squatter Archibald Yuille who the regional economy by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council and established the first settlement, his sheep run called Ballarat in others with an emphasis on ‘clean and green’ knowledge-based 1837[7] with the name derived from local Wathaurong Aboriginal businesses across sectors such as information and communication words for the area, Ballarat, thought to mean “resting place”. technologies, cleantech, creative industries, aviation, education and The Victorian gold rush transformed Ballarat from a small sheep food and beverages. station to a major settlement. Gold was discovered at Poverty Point Several stretches of the Sunshine Coast are lined with on 18 August 1851 and news quickly spread of rich alluvial fields unbroken beaches – from Sunshine Beach near Noosa to where gold could easily be extracted. Coolum Beach; the coast from Point Arkwright to Mudjimba; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballarat the Maroochydore–Mooloolaba stretch; and from Buddina past ballarat.com Caloundra to Pelican Waters. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunshine_Coast,_Queensland#Beaches 23. Sydney – The Emerald city visitsunshinecoast.com.au 21. Wollongong – The City of Five Islands Rank Indicator 8th Crime
Rank Indicator 27th Health 1 12th Education 9th Crime 30th Housing 25th Health 1 18th Unemployment 8th Education 14th Health 2 19th Housing 5th Income 25th Unemployment 3rd Connectivity 26th Health 2 24th Child Care 22nd Income 26th Community 14th Connectivity 2nd Child Care Sydney is the capital of New South Wales and the most populated 22nd Community city in Australia. Given its location as the economic and cultural heart of Australia, the City of Sydney is highly and densely Wollongong is Australia’s ninth largest city and is located 80km urbanised. Its land is intensively used for a variety of purposes south of Sydney on a narrow coastal strip bordered by the Royal including residential and commercial use as well as tourist and National Park to the north, Lake Illawarra to the south, the Tasman cultural attractions, and parks and open space. It is home to the Sea to the east and the Illawarra Escarpment to the west. It is a highest commercial and residential densities in Australia. city with strong manufacturing, education, technology research & The Sydney Olympic Games (2000), widely regarded as the best development sectors. games ever, put Sydney on the map internationally. The name Wollongong originated from the Aboriginal word The term Emerald City is used as a metaphor by the character woolyungah meaning five islands. Archaeological evidence indicates Elaine Ross in David Williamson’s Play ‘Oz’, describing Sydney as that Aboriginals have lived here for at least 30,000 years. Wodi Wodi “the Emerald City of Oz”, where people go expecting their dreams is the tribe name of the Aboriginal people of the Illawarra. to be fulfilled, only to end up with superficial substitutes and broken http://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/city/demographics/Pages/ dreams. Subsequently “Emerald City” has occasionally been used default.aspx as an unofficial nickname for the city of Sydney. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerald_City Sydney.com.au
Family Friendly City Report 15 24. Brisbane – The River City 26. Hervey Bay – The Whale Watch Capital of the World Rank Indicator
28th Crime Rank Indicator
21st Health 1 18th Crime
24th Education 26th Health 1
26th Housing 20th Education
9th Unemployment 12th Housing
17th Health 2 27th Unemployment
3rd Income 30th Health 2
2nd Connectivity 6th Income
18th Child Care 19th Connectivity
11th Community 10th Child Care
26th Community Brisbane is the capital of Queensland and named after Sir Thomas Brisbane, noted astronomer and former Governor of New South Hervey Bay has often been called the jewel in Queensland’s crown. Wales. Brisbane is the most populous city in Queensland and the It is also referred to as the Whale Watch Capital of the World. A third most populous city in Australia. scenic 3 ½ hours drive north of Brisbane and only 45 minutes by air Brisbane was chosen as the capital when Queensland was from Brisbane. proclaimed a separate colony from New South Wales in 1859. The city has a wonderful subtropical climate. Temperatures range Brisbane has hosted many large cultural and sporting events, from 14 to 23 degrees Centigrade in winter and 22 to 29 degrees including the1982 Commonwealth Games, World Expo ‘88 and Centigrade in summer. the final Goodwill Games in 2001. Brisbane is the largest economy Rainfall is low and there are more fine days than other Queensland between Sydney and Singapore, and as of 2008 is classified as city. a Global city.[6] It was also rated the 16th most livable city in the http://www.discoverherveybay.com/ world in 2009 by the Economist Intelligence Unit. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brisbane 27. Cairns – Australia’s tropical paradise visitbrisbane.com 25. Geelong – The Cliff City Rank Indicator 30th Crime
Rank Indicator 14th Health 1 25th Education 12th Crime 15th Housing 19th Health 1 26th Unemployment 27th Education 20th Health 2 18th Housing 15th Income 20th Unemployment 9th Connectivity 3rd Health 2 19th Child Care 27th Income 16th Community 21st Connectivity
26th Child Care Nestled on the coast of Far North Queensland, Cairns is tucked 14th Community between the Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea and the lush rolling downs of the Atherton Tableland to the west. The city was Geelong is a port city located on Corio Bay and the Barwon River, in named after William Wellington Cairns, then-current Governor the state of Victoria, Australia, 75 kilometres south-west of the state of Queensland. It was formed to serve miners heading for the capital, Melbourne. It is the second most populated city in Victoria Hodgkinson River goldfield, but experienced a decline when an and the fifth most populated non-capital city in Australia. easier route was discovered from Port Douglas. It later developed Geelong was named in 1827 by Governor Richard Burke, with into a railhead and major port for exporting sugar cane, gold and the name derived from the local Wathaurong Aboriginal name for other metals, minerals and agricultural products from surrounding the region, Jillong, thought to mean ‘land’ or ‘cliffs’. Geelong was coastal areas and the Atherton Tableland region. proclaimed a city in 1910, with industrial growth from this time until Cairns is known for its tourism is attractions like the Great Barrier the 1960s establishing the city as a manufacturing centre for the Reef and the Wet Tropics World Heritage rainforest. state. It is known for being home to car manufacturer Ford Australia http://tools.cairns.com.au/about-cairns/about-cairns.php and also the Geelong Football Club, nicknamed The Cats. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geelong geelongaustralia.com.au visitgeelongbellarine.com.au
16 Suncorp Bank 28. Gold Coast – Australia’s Golden City 30. Coffs Harbour – Home of the Big Banana Rank Indicator
26th Crime Rank Indicator
23rd Health 1 20th Crime
14th Education 29th Health 1
24th Housing 30th Education
13th Unemployment 13th Housing
18th Health 2 28th Unemployment
18th Income 25th Health 2
6th Connectivity 19th Income
30th Child Care 18th Connectivity
29th Community 20th Child Care 12th Community Famous for its sun, surf and sand, Gold Coast City stretches along 57 kilometres of coastline. Coffs Harbour is a coastal city located on the north coast of New The Gold Coast is known for its beautiful beaches and vast South Wales about 540 km north of Sydney, and 390 km south of rainforest hinterland. It is the sixth largest city in Australia and one of Brisbane. Popular with people wanting to relocate from big cities to the fastest growing regions in the country. small towns on the coast or in rural areas, Coffs Harbour continues to grow at an exceptional rate. Covering an area of 1400 square kilometres, the city’s boundaries extend from just south of Beenleigh to Coolangatta, taking in According to the CSIRO, Coffs Harbour has the most liveable South Stradbroke Island and part of Moreton Bay and extending climate in Australia, and it is nestled between a high mountain west to the hinterland of Mount Tamborine and the Lamington and backdrop and dozens of “unspoiled” beaches. Coffs Harbour’s Darlington Ranges. economy is based mainly on farming (of bananas), tourism, and manufacturing. http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/default.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffs_Harbour 28. La Trobe Valley – Mountains, Lakes and visitcoffsharbour.com Beaches coffscoast.com.au coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au Rank Indicator
25th Crime
28th Health 1
23rd Education
2nd Housing
21st Unemployment
16th Health 2
24th Income
26th Connectivity
28th Child Care
9th Community
The Latrobe Valley is an inland geographical region and urban area inside Gippsland in the state of Victoria. It is east of the City Of Melbourne and nestled between the Strzelecki Ranges to the south and the Great Dividing Range (Baw Baw Ranges) to the north – with the highest peak to the north of the Latrobe Valley – approximately due north of Moe – being Mount Baw Baw. The area has four major centres (from west to east) Warragul, Moe, Morwell and Traralgon, with minor centres including Churchill, Drouin & Trafalgar. The city of Moe is the most central city to the Latrobe Valley. Latrobe City boasts all of the recreational and cultural facilities of a large diverse regional centre with the added benefit of being nestled amongst some of the best tourist attractions in the state. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latrobe_Valley Latrobe.vis.gov.au
Family Friendly City Report 17 21772 12/12/12 A