Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 I

Northern Rivers Regional Profile NOVEMBER 2013

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 i

Level 3 Rous Water Building 218 Molesworth St PO Box 146 LISMORE NSW 2480

tel: 02 6622 4011 fax: 02 6621 4609 email: [email protected] web: www.rdanorthernrivers.org.au

Chief Executive Officer: Katrina Luckie

RDA–Northern Rivers would like to acknowledge the contributions of its officers Jamie Seaton, Kyllie Walker, Katrina Luckie and Geof Webb in researching, analysing and communicating the data in this report.

Citation: Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers, Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013, RDA–Northern Rivers, 2013.

We respectfully acknowledge the Aboriginal peoples of the Northern Rivers – including the peoples of the Bundjalung, Yaegl and Gumbaynggirr nations – as the traditional custodians and guardians of these lands and waters now known as the Northern Rivers and we pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Disclaimer This material is made available by RDA – Northern Rivers on the understanding that users exercise their own skill and care with respect to its use. Any representation, statement, opinion or advice expressed or implied in this publication is made in good faith. RDA – Northern Rivers is not liable to any person or entity taking or not taking action in respect of any representation, statement, opinion or advice referred to above. This report was produced by RDA–Northern Rivers and does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian or New South Wales Governments, their officers, employees or agents.

Regional Development Australia Committees are: TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION ...... 1 OVERVIEW OF THE REGION ...... 2 SOCIAL AND DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE: OUR PEOPLE ...... 9 Population ...... 9 Regional population structure ...... 10 Indigenous population structure ...... 11 Population forecast ...... 13 Internal migration ...... 14 Cultural diversity ...... 16 Housing ...... 18 Income ...... 25 Crime ...... 30 Health ...... 35 Education ...... 39 Socio-economic indexes for areas (SEIFA) ...... 43 SERVICES ...... 44 Infrastructure investment ...... 44 Transport ...... 45 Information Technology and Communications ...... 47 Education ...... 48 Health ...... 49 Retirement and aged care facilities ...... 51 Community, cultural, sport and recreation ...... 52 ECONOMIC PROFILE ...... 54 Employment ...... 54 Business profile ...... 56 Industry growth and share ...... 60 Gross regional product...... 61 Regional competitiveness ...... 63 ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILE...... 64 Cultural heritage ...... 65 Biodiversity ...... 67 Protected areas ...... 70 Water resources ...... 72 Energy resources ...... 73 REFERENCES ...... 77 ACRONYMS ...... 81 AUSTRALIAN BUREAU OF STATISTICS POPULATION DEFINITIONS ...... 82

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 iii

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE 1 – ESTIMATED RESIDENT POPULATION ...... 9 TABLE 2 – POPULATION CHANGE 2001-2011 ...... 9 TABLE 3 – POPULATION FORECAST NORTHERN RIVERS AND NSW 2011-2031 ...... 13 TABLE 4 – POPULATION FORECAST FIGURES BY LGA 2011-2031 ...... 13 TABLE 5 – INTERNAL MIGRATION 2006-2011 ...... 15 TABLE 6 – CHANGES IN INTERNAL MIGRATION 2006 & 2011 ...... 15 TABLE 7 – CHANGES IN INTERNAL MIGRATION BY AGE GROUP 2006 AND 2011 ...... 16 TABLE 8 – COUNTRY OF BIRTH ...... 17 TABLE 9 – MEDIAN HOUSING COSTS 2012 ...... 19 TABLE 10 – TYPE OF HOUSING TENURE 2011 ...... 22 TABLE 11 – HOMELESSNESS ESTIMATES: AUSTRALIA 2006 AND 2011 ...... 23 TABLE 12 – NUMBER OF HOMELESS PERSONS 2011 ...... 24 TABLE 13 – WEEKLY PERSONAL INCOME 2011 ...... 26 TABLE 14 – LABOUR FORCE DECEMBER 2012 ...... 29 TABLE 15 – SELF-RATED HEALTH AS EXCELLENT, VERY GOOD OR GOOD ...... 35 TABLE 16 – BURDEN OF DISEASE ...... 38 TABLE 17 – HEALTH INEQUALITIES ...... 38 TABLE 18 – HIGHEST LEVEL OF POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION ATTAINMENT ...... 40 TABLE 19 –SEIFA SCORES AND RANKINGS ...... 43 TABLE 20 – PASSENGER VEHICLE, BUS AND MOTORCYCLE REGISTRATIONS PER 7,000 (NORTHERN RIVERS) ...... 46 TABLE 21 – CHANGE IN PASSENGER NUMBERS FOR NORTHERN RIVERS AIRPORTS ...... 46 TABLE 22 – HEALTH SERVICES IN THE NORTHERN NSW LHD ...... 49 TABLE 23 – PEOPLE AGED 65 YEARS AND OLDER ...... 51 TABLE 24 – CULTURAL VENUES BY PURPOSE ...... 52 TABLE 25 – ARTS ORGANISATIONS BY LGA ...... 53 TABLE 26 – SPORTS INFRASTRUCTURE BY LGA ...... 53 TABLE 27 – GROSS REGIONAL PRODUCT 2009-2010 ...... 62 TABLE 28 – NATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS RANKINGS ...... 63 TABLE 29 – CLIMATE DATA: NORTH COAST BIOREGION ...... 64 TABLE 30 – DECLARED ABORIGINAL PLACES ...... 66 TABLE 31 – NUMBER AND STATUS OF THREATENED SPECIES ...... 67 TABLE 32 – PROTECTED TERRESTRIAL AREAS IN NSW BY REGION ...... 70 TABLE 33 – NATIONAL PARKS AND NATURE RESERVES ...... 71 TABLE 34 – STATE CONSERVATION AREAS ...... 72 TABLE 35 – WATER QUALITY ...... 73 TABLE 36 – RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATED PER CAPITA ...... 74 TABLE 37 – SOLAR INSTALLATIONS BY POSTCODE ...... 75 TABLE 38 – GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS...... 76

iv Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE 1 – NORTHERN RIVERS REGION ...... 2 FIGURE 2 – NORTHERN RIVERS NATIONAL PARKS ...... 3 FIGURE 3 – NORTHERN RIVERS LGA BOUNDARIES ...... 4 FIGURE 4 – BALLINA LGA ...... 5 FIGURE 5 – BYRON SHIRE LGA ...... 5 FIGURE 6 – CLARENCE VALLEY LGA ...... 6 FIGURE 7 – KYOGLE LGA ...... 6 FIGURE 8 – LISMORE CITY COUNCIL LGA ...... 7 FIGURE 9 – RICHMOND VALLEY LGA ...... 7 FIGURE 10 – TWEED SHIRE LGA ...... 8 FIGURE 11 – POPULATION STRUCTURE BY AGE AND SEX 2012 ...... 10 FIGURE 12 – DEPENDENCY RATIOS 2011-2031 ...... 11 FIGURE 13 – INDIGENOUS POPULATION STRUCTURE BY AGE AND SEX 2011...... 12 FIGURE 14 – INDIGENOUS AND NON-INDIGENOUS POPULATION BY AGE ...... 12 FIGURE 15 – FORECAST POPULATION STRUCTURE BY AGE AND SEX 2036 ...... 14 FIGURE 16 – PERSONS PER HOUSEHOLD AS PROPORTION OF ALL HOUSEHOLDS 2011 ...... 18 FIGURE 17 – HOUSEHOLD TYPES AS A PROPORTION OF ALL HOUSEHOLDS 2011 ...... 19 FIGURE 18 – WEEKLY RENTAL PAYMENTS 2011 ...... 20 FIGURE 19 – MEDIAN WEEKLY RENTS 2009-2013 ...... 20 FIGURE 20 – MEDIAN HOUSE SALE PRICES ...... 21 FIGURE 21 – MORTGAGE AND RENT STRESS 2011 ...... 22 FIGURE 22 – DURATION OF HOMELESSNESS ...... 24 FIGURE 23 – WEEKLY HOUSEHOLD INCOME 2011 ...... 25 FIGURE 24 – INCOME FROM ALL PENSIONS AND ALLOWANCES 2004-2010 ...... 27 FIGURE 25 – INCOME FROM PENSIONS 2004-2010 ...... 27 FIGURE 26 – UNEMPLOYMENT RATES 2008-2013 ...... 28 FIGURE 27 – EMPLOYMENT HOURS WORKED 2011 ...... 29 FIGURE 28 – RATES FOR SELECTED OFFENCES ...... 30 FIGURE 29 – CRIME RATES: ASSAULT, SEXUAL OFFENCES AND ROBBERY ...... 31 FIGURE 30 – CRIME RATES: BREAK AND ENTER, THEFT AND MALICIOUS PROPERTY DAMAGE ...... 32 FIGURE 31 – CRIME RATES: ARSON, CANNABIS, WEAPONS, OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE AND WEAPONS OFFENCES ... 33 FIGURE 32 – CRIME RATES: LIQUOR, BREACHES OF AVOS AND RESIST/HINDER OFFICER OFFENCES ...... 34 FIGURE 33 – ADEQUATE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ...... 35 FIGURE 34 – FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CONSUMPTION ...... 36 FIGURE 35 – ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION ...... 36 FIGURE 36 – ALCOHOL-ATTRIBUTABLE HOSPITALISATIONS ...... 37 FIGURE 37 – SMOKING PREVALENCE ...... 37 FIGURE 38 – OVERWEIGHT OR OBESE PERSONS AGED 16 YEARS OR OLDER ...... 38 FIGURE 39 – SCHOOL LEAVER PARTICIPATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION 2012 ...... 39

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 v

FIGURE 40 – HIGHEST SECONDARY SCHOOL ATTAINMENT ...... 40 FIGURE 41 – TERTIARY EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT BY POPULATION ...... 41 FIGURE 42 – TERTIARY EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT BY QUALIFICATION ...... 41 FIGURE 43 – HIGHEST SECONDARY SCHOOL COMPLETIONS ...... 42 FIGURE 44 – EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT AND LABOUR MARKET OUTCOMES ...... 42 FIGURE 45 – REGISTERED MOTOR VEHICLES PER 1,000 IN MARCH 2010 ...... 45 FIGURE 46 – INTERNET CONNECTIVITY 2011 ...... 48 FIGURE 47 – HOSPITAL BEDS PER 100,000 POPULATION ...... 50 FIGURE 48 – RESIDENTIAL CARE PLACES 2011 ...... 52 FIGURE 49 – EMPLOYMENT BY OCCUPATION 2011 ...... 54 FIGURE 50 – EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY 2011 ...... 55 FIGURE 51 – EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY 2001, 2006 AND 2011 ...... 56 FIGURE 52 – BUSINESSES BY NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 2012 ...... 57 FIGURE 53 – BUSINESSES BY INDUSTRY SECTOR 2012 ...... 57 FIGURE 54 – NUMBER OF BUSINESSES 2007-2011...... 58 FIGURE 55 – BUSINESSES BY EMPLOYMENT SIZE 2007-2011 ...... 58 FIGURE 56 – LOCATION QUOTIENT BY INDUSTRY 2011 ...... 59 FIGURE 57 – LOCATION QUOTIENT BY INDUSTRY SUB-SECTORS 2011 ...... 60 FIGURE 58 – INDUSTRY GROWTH AND SHARE 2006 - 2011 ...... 61 FIGURE 59 – NORTHERN RIVERS CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AREA ...... 65 FIGURE 60 – EXTANT VEGETATION ...... 69 FIGURE 61 – HABITAT RESTORATION 2011-2012 ...... 69

vi Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013, which provides an update to the 2011 edition and provides some new data, including the 2011 Census updates. It is one of a portfolio of six documents that together comprise the Northern Rivers regional planning suite/documents. The other documents are:

 Northern Rivers Regional Plan 2013-2016  Northern Rivers Regional Industry and Economic Profile (2010 Update)  RDA–Northern Rivers Community Engagement Strategy (2013)  Northern Rivers Digital Economy Strategy (2013)  Northern Rivers Social Plan (in draft at the time of publication)

Purpose This profile is intended to be a comprehensive snapshot of the NSW Northern Rivers region but is by no means exhaustive. Its purpose is to provide data and trend information on a wide range of social, economic and environmental features of the region. It can be used by government organisations, businesses, not-for-profit and other community stakeholders as an aid to planning regional development activities and services; to support advocacy efforts; and to provide an evidence-base for applications for funding and other resources.

The data Most of the data collated here is already in the public domain. Much is drawn from the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ (ABS) Population of Census and Housing 2011. Generally the data are presented for LGAs within the Northern Rivers and aggregated to present a picture of the region as a whole. Where time series data are available, they have been used to identify trends and, depending on the data source, the regional data is often compared to the rest of New South Wales and in some cases Australia as a whole. A guide to ABS definitions is shown in the final chapter.

Some of the data have been drawn from other sources including the unpublished Northern Rivers Community Wellbeing Survey 2013 (NRSDC/RDA-Northern Rivers, in press). Please see the references section for the full list of data sources.

More information The data sets from which most of the data in this document are taken, and copies of this document and its companions from the Northern Rivers Regional Plan are all available to download from our website: www.rdanorthernrivers.org.au/our-region/regional-data/

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 1

OVERVIEW OF THE REGION

Geography, traditional ownership and key characteristics The Northern Rivers region of NSW is situated in the far north-east of the state and covers 20,706 square kilometres (ABS 2012). It is bounded by the NSW state border to the north, the Great Dividing Range to the west, the mid-north coast region to the south and more than 200 kilometres of coastline to the east.

The Bundjalung, Yaegl and Gumbaynggirr Aboriginal nations are the traditional owners of the lands within the region and they maintain important custodial links to it. Seven Local Government Areas (LGAs) have been established in the region and these entities also play an important role in the region’s development. Figure 1 – Northern Rivers region

The population and social life in the region is vibrant and diverse. The region is well known for tourism, creative industries, festivals and community activism that increase wellbeing within its communities. Some examples of community events in 2012 that attest to the region’s rich social life include the Byron Bay Surfing Festival, Grafton’s Jacaranda Festival, the annual Tropical Fruits Festival and the Lismore rally against Coal Seam Gas. In terms of the Northern Rivers population per se, some unique features distinguish it from the broader NSW population. These features include relatively unusual proportions of young adults, older people and Aboriginal people, and the recent high population growth observed in the region, which is now tapering off in most localities.

2 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers Like the social characteristics, the economic ones are similarly diverse, providing a degree of stability against volatile macro-economic conditions. Tourism, retail, human services and agriculture underpin the economic base of the region. Agriculture and horticulture remain important industries and “diversification into value-added items (such as specialised botanicals and high quality timber products) is contributing to the development of the region” (DEEWR 2012). Other large scale, regional infrastructure projects including the Pacific Highway upgrade and construction of the new $45 million wastewater treatment plant at West Ballina are providing new employment opportunities.

In terms of the environment, the region is characterised by attractive natural assets derived from its sub-tropical climate. Above average rainfall, fertile soils and moderate temperatures throughout the year provide ideal conditions for flora and fauna. The North Coast Bioregion, which incorporates the Northern Rivers, is one of the most diverse in NSW (NSW Department Environment and Heritage 2011). The virtues of our natural environment are readily apparent across the region in the range of marine parks including Cape Byron, national parks such as The Border Ranges and coastal ecosystems including the Jerusalem Creek estuary system near Evans Head.

Figure 2 – Northern Rivers National Parks

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 3

Local Government Areas Seven Local Government Areas comprise the Northern Rivers – traditionally the home of the Bundjalung, Yaegl and Gumbaynggirr nations – which has also been known as Sub-tropical NSW, the ‘North Coast’, the ‘Summerland Region’ and the ‘Rainbow Region’.

Figure 3 – Northern Rivers LGA boundaries

4 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers Ballina Shire

Figure 4 – Ballina LGA Population 39,274 Male 18,842 Female 20,432 Median age 45

Families 10,953 Average children per family 1.8

All private dwellings 18,024 Average people per household 2.4 Median weekly household income $930 Median monthly mortgage repayments $1,733 Median weekly rent $290

Major employment industries School education (6.7%) Cafes and food services (5.0%) Residential care services and hospitals (3.4%) land area 484.7 Km2

Byron Shire

Figure 5 – Byron Shire LGA Population 29,209 Male 14,285 Female 14,924 Median age 42

Families 7,425 Average children per family 1.7

All private dwellings 14,455 Average people per household 2.4 Median weekly household income $885 Median monthly mortgage repayments $1,684 Median weekly rent $350

Major employment industries Cafes and food services (6.2%) School education (4.7%) Accommodation (4.5%) land area 565.8 Km2

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 5

Clarence Valley

Figure 6 – Clarence Valley LGA Population 49,665 Male 24,515 Female 25,150 Median age 46

Families 13,678 Average children per family 1.9

All private dwellings 23,881 Average people per household 2.4 Median weekly household income $768 Median monthly mortgage repayments $1,300 Median weekly rent $210

Major employment industries School education (5.5%) Cafes and food services (4.0%) Residential care services (3.5%)

land area 1,0428.8 Km2

Kyogle

Figure 7 – Kyogle LGA Population 9,228 Male 4,642 Female 4,586 Median age 45

Families 2,510 Average children per family 1.9

All private dwellings 4,397 Average people per household 2.4 Median weekly household income $714 Median monthly mortgage repayments $1,083 Median weekly rent $170

Major employment industries Sheep, beef cattle and grain farming (10.7%) School education (6.7%) Hospitals (3.8%) land area 3,584 Km2

6 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers Lismore City Council

Figure 8 – Lismore City Council LGA Population 42,766 Male 20,904 Female 21,862 Median age 40

Families 11,244 Average children per family 1.9

All private dwellings 18,467 Average people per household 2.4 Median weekly household income $907 Median monthly mortgage repayments $1,495 Median weekly rent $224

Major employment industries School education (5.9%) Hospitals (5.5%) Cafes and food services (4.5%)

land area = 1,287.8 Km2

Richmond Valley

Figure 9 – Richmond Valley LGA Population 22,037 Male 10,905 Female 11,132 Median age 42

Families 5,981 Average children per family 1.9

All private dwellings 10,019 Average people per household 2.4 Median weekly household income $789 Median monthly mortgage repayments $1,300 Median weekly rent $200

Major employment industries Meat and meat product manufacturing (7.2%) School education (5.4%) Cafes and food services (3.7%) land area = 3,047.4 Km2

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 7

Tweed Shire

Figure 10 – Tweed Shire LGA Population 85,105 Male 41,012 2 Female 44,093 land area 1,307.4 Km Median age 45

Families 23,297 Average children per family 1.8

All private dwellings 40,084 Average people per household 2.4 Median weekly household income $845 Median monthly mortgage repayments $1,733 Median weekly rent $295

Major employment industries School education (5.1%) Cafes and food services (5.1%) Residential care services (3.9%)

8 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers SOCIAL AND DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE: OUR PEOPLE

The population maintains the Northern Rivers as a lively, attractive and welcoming region. The social fabric is varied, comprising a mix of people with a diverse range of characteristics including Aboriginal people, young and older people, those living with a disability, gay, lesbian and transgender people and people from different ethnic and religious backgrounds. Population Table 1 shows that in 2011 on Census enumeration night, 277,284 people (approximately 4% of the NSW population) were counted in the Northern Rivers (ABS 2012), which is fewer than the published estimated resident population (ERP) of 287,809 (ABS 2012).

Table 1 – Estimated Resident Population

LGA/Region 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Ballina 39,857 40,293 40,411 40,534 40,650 40,693 40,753

Byron 30,614 30,700 30,641 30,860 30,952 30,924 30,825

Clarence 49,580 50,089 50,295 50,467 50,880 51,137 51,252 Valley

Kyogle 9,641 9,672 9,631 9,591 9,597 9,572 9,537

Lismore 43,617 44,166 44,305 44,283 44,284 44,267 44,282

Richmond 21,555 22,143 22,388 22,567 22,601 22,647 22,697 Valley

Tweed 81,549 83,089 84,126 85,965 87,356 88,063 88,463

Total NR 276,413 280,152 281,797 284,267 286,320 287,303 287,809

Total NSW 6,756,457 6,816,087 6,885,204 6,975,891 7,069,707 7,144,928 7,211,468

(source: ABS 2012a)

Table 2 – Population change 2001-2011 Population changes in the region have broadly been in line with those in the rest of the State. With the Change 2001-2011 LGA/Region exception of Kyogle, all Northern Rivers LGAs % No. experienced growth between 2001-2011. Table 2 shows Ballina 6.8 2,594 that growth in the Tweed increased by 18.6% during the period; almost double the statewide figure. Richmond Byron 3.8 1,136 Valley (7.1%) and Ballina LGAs (6.8%) also experienced Clarence Valley 5.4 2,635 higher growth rates than other LGAs in the region. Kyogle -2.9 -280 Lismore 2.8 1,218 These figures underscore the dynamic nature of the Richmond Valley 7.1 1,514 region’s population. Growth has been historically driven Tweed 18.6 13,886 by coastal migration and counter-urbanisation – both linked to the expired property boom which commenced Northern Rivers 8.6 22,703 a decade ago (Kelly et al 2005). NSW 9.7 636,251 (source: ABS 2012a)

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 9

Regional population structure The region’s population has some distinct features compared to NSW (Figure 11). It has smaller proportions of younger adults in the 20 to 39 years age cohorts, which may be due to a combination of outward youth migration and the inward migration of older people. It is generally thought that fewer individuals in the young adult age groups causes negative economic implications due to a reduced labour pool. This scenario has not changed since the 2006 census.

Figure 11 – Population structure by age and sex 2012

85 and over 80 to 84 75 to 79 70 to 74 65 to 69 60 to 64 Male Female 55 to 59

50 to 54 45 to 49 NSW 40 to 44 Age Age Class 35 to 39 Northern 30 to 34 Rivers 25 to 29 20 to 24 15 to 19 10 to 14 5 to 9 0 to 4

10 8 6 4 2 0 2 4 6 8 10 Proportion of Population

(source: ABS 2013c )

Figure 11 also identifies relatively larger proportions of people in the older age cohorts and thus the region’s population is generally older than the rest of NSW. Given that the needs and contributions of individuals to their respective communities are influenced by their age, this attribute of the Northern Rivers may have service (e.g. health, transport, accommodation) and employment implications for the region.

An ageing population has implications for the social and economic dependency of our community. The dependency ratio is an age:population ratio. It measures the number of people in the labour force who are not working (those who are ‘dependent’) against those who are working (the ‘productive’ persons). A higher ratio indicates more dependent persons to productive ones, so if an area has a dependency ratio of 100% then for every working person there is one dependent person.

Figure 12 highlights that the dependency ratio in the Northern Rivers was generally higher than the NSW equivalent in 2011 (60.7% for NR and 50% for NSW). This is forecast to increase, reaching 88.3%

10 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers by 2031 (compared to the NSW average of 63.5%) with the highest ratio of 98.2% in the Clarence Valley.

Figure 12 – Dependency Ratios 2011-2031

100

90 Ballina

Byron 80 Clarence Valley 70 Kyogle Lismore 60 Richmond Valley DependencyRatio % 50 Tweed

40 Northern Rivers 2011 2021 2031 NSW Year

(Source: NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure 2013)

Indigenous population structure Aboriginal people comprise those from the Bundjalung and parts of the Gumbayngirr nation groups (Horton, 1996) and those from other Indigenous groups who have settled here. On Census enumeration night 2011, 11,3801 Indigenous people were counted in the region, accounting for 4.1% of the total Northern Rivers population (ABS 2012).

The structure of the region’s Indigenous population (at their usual place of residence) is broadly in line with that of NSW (Figure 13), however the Northern Rivers has slightly higher proportions of those in the 10-19 age groups and fewer in the 20-29 year age groups.

1 Likely to be an under-estimation due to a number of people providing no response to the census question associated with this data.

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 11

Figure 13 – Indigenous population structure by age and sex 2011

65 years and older 60-64 years 55-59 years 50-54 years Male Female 45-49 years 40-44 years NSW 35-39 years 30-34 years

Age Age Group 25-29 years Northern 20-24 years Rivers 15-19 years 10-14 years 5-9 years 0-4 years 15 10 5 0 5 10 15 Proportion of Indigenous Population (%)

(source: ABS 2012e)

The age structures of the region’s Indigenous population compared with the non-Indigenous population (Figure 14) is interesting to note. The Northern Rivers’ Aboriginal population has a relatively larger proportion of younger people (i.e. 0-24 years of age) and a relatively smaller proportion in the older (over 45) age groups than their non-Indigenous counterparts, the most significant variation occurring in the 65 years and older group with the non-Aboriginal population of 20.3% being proportionately five times greater than the Indigenous population of 4.2%.

Figure 14 – Indigenous and non-Indigenous population by age

65 years and older 60-64 years 55-59 years 50-54 years 45-49 years 40-44 years Male Female 35-39 years 30-34 years Non-Indigenous

Age Age Group 25-29 years Popn. 20-24 years Indigenous Popn. 15-19 years 10-14 years 5-9 years 0-4 years 25 15 5 5 15 25 Proportion by Population Group (%) (source: ABS 2012e) In terms of the geographical distribution Tweed and the Clarence Valley account for just more than half of the region’s Aboriginal residents with about a quarter each in the Tweed (25.8%) and the Clarence Valley (25.0%).

12 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers Population forecast Population forecasting enables planning for essential infrastructure and services. The figures in Table 3 inform Government planning and indicate continued immediate growth, but a decline in the growth rate from 2016-2031. Growth in the region is forecast to be lower than for the rest of the State – whereas in the past regional population growth generally exceeded that of NSW. A combination of factors including fertility, mortality, overseas migration and internal migration will dictate our actual growth (ABS 2008). The latter of these factors has been particularly significant in the past (refer Kelly et al., 2005).

Table 3 – Population forecast Northern Rivers and NSW 2011-2031

Northern Rivers NSW Year Number % Change Number % Change

2011 287,900 3.1 7,211,500 6.8

2016 296,900 3.1 7,701,000 6.8

2021 306,000 1.7 8,223,900 6.0

2026 311,300 1.2 8,716,400 5.5

2031 315,000 n/a 9,193,900 n/a

(source: NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure 2013)

Table 4 indicates that the population in most LGAs in the Northern Rivers is predicted to increase towards 2031 with Tweed accounting for the dominant share. Kyogle is the anomaly and its forecast population decline has been a sensitive subject for the community. “[The] Kyogle community is unhappy about suggestions that the town’s population will fall, based on the Department’s latest local area population figures” (NSW Department of Planning 2011a). In response to queries regarding their projections, the Department cited outward migration in the demographic of 18-39 years as main reason for their projection, but also highlighted the LGA’s potential to support additional industrial development due to its location on major transport routes with access to inter-state road and rail networks that could enhance future growth (ibid.).

Table 4 – Population forecast figures by LGA 2011-2031

LGA 2011 2016 2021 2026 2031

Ballina 40,800 42,600 43,900 44,800 45,400

Byron 30,800 31,200 31,700 31,800 31,800

Clarence Valley 51,300 51,600 52,900 53,600 53,900

Kyogle 9,500 9,600 9,700 9,600 9,500

Lismore 44,300 44,900 45,500 45,500 45,300

Richmond Valley 22,700 23,300 24,100 24,500 24,800

Tweed 88,500 93,700 98,200 101,500 104,300

(source: NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure 2013)

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 13

The projected 2036 population structure (Figure 15) highlights the potential for higher proportions of people in the older age groups. In all age cohorts 70 years and older for instance, men and women both are forecast to increase by at least 2% of the 2011 census figures (refer Figure 11). Viewed in its entirety, this growth is significant. The cohorts 60-64 years and 65-69 years show moderate growth from 2011 to 2036. The ageing population is a phenomenon expected across all Australia’s regions “as the baby boom generation ages and life expectancy increases” (NSW Department of Planning 2008). However, this phenomenon is exacerbated in the region by migration.

A comparison of the 2036 Northern Rivers and NSW forecast populations indicates that the already smaller proportions of young adults in the Northern Rivers (compared to the State) will further contract by 2036. Figure 15 – Forecast population structure by age and sex 2036

85+ 80-84 75-79 70-74 65-69 60-64 55-59 50-54 45-49 Male Female 40-44 NSW Age Age Class 35-39 Northern Rivers 30-34 25-29 20-24 15-19 10-14 5-9 0-4 8 6 4 2 0 2 4 6 8 Proportion of Population (%)

(source: NSW Health Population Projection Series 1.2009)

Internal migration Data from the 2001, 2006 and 2011 censuses provide an indication of migration of residents aged five years and older, to and from the LGAs in our region. Table 5 presents the percentage of the estimated resident population that lived at the same address or elsewhere in Australia for the previous census. The region has a similar trend to NSW, with more residents in Kyogle and Richmond Valley at the same address in 2006 and 2011, and less for the Byron and Tweed LGAs.

14 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers Table 5 – Internal migration 2006-2011

Same usual Lived elsewhere Lived overseas LGA/Region address in 2006 in Australia in 2006 in 2006 (% Residents) (% Residents) (% Residents)

Ballina 59.4 38.5 2.2

Byron 56.4 39.0 4.6

Clarence Valley 61.5 37.6 0.9

Kyogle 66.9 32.0 1.1

Lismore 60.0 38.2 1.7

Richmond Valley 62.5 36.8 0.7

Tweed 58.2 39.2 2.6

Northern Rivers 59.7 38.2 2.1

NSW 60.8 33.5 5.7

(source: ABS 2012)

Table 6 identifies an increase in the mobility of the population since the 2006 census. It should be noted that it is not possible to ascertain if movements for people at the same address as five years ago are within the region or LGA, and these figures do not account for multiple movements during the inter-census period. In both 2006 and 2011 more people had moved to the Northern Rivers from elsewhere in Australia than greater NSW. Conversely, Northern Rivers had fewer international residents than greater NSW.

Table 6 – Changes in internal migration 2006 & 2011

2011 (% 2006 (% Region Location Change Residents) Residents)

Same usual address five years ago 59.7 72.7 -13.1 Northern Lived elsewhere in Australia five years ago 38.2 25.4 12.8 Rivers Lived overseas five years ago 2.1 1.8 0.3

Same usual address five years ago 60.8 73.6 -12.8

NSW Lived elsewhere in Australia five years ago 33.5 21.5 12.0

Lived overseas five years ago 5.7 4.9 0.8

(source: ABS 2001, 2006 and ABS 2012)

Table 7 provides an indication of the movements of different age cohorts, highlighting that people aged 15-54 years are more mobile than people aged 55-74 years. The net outward migration of 1.8% is higher for 35-54 year olds than the 1.1% for 15-34 year olds.

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 15

Table 7 – Changes in internal migration by age group 2006 and 2011

Address Age in years % Pop. 2011 % Pop. 2006 Change 5-14 7.1 10.4 -3.3 15-24 6.0 8.5 -2.6 25-34 2.8 5.1 -2.3 35-44 6.3 9.5 -3.2 Same address in the Northern Rivers 45-54 10.5 13.0 -2.5 five years ago 55-64 11.2 10.4 0.8 65-74 8.2 7.9 0.3 75-84 5.7 6.1 -0.4 85+ 2.0 1.9 0.1 5-14 6.3 4.0 2.4 15-24 5.3 3.3 2.0 25-34 5.9 4.1 1.9 35-44 6.4 4.2 2.1 Lived elsewhere in the Northern 45-54 5.3 3.5 1.8 Rivers five years ago 55-64 4.4 3.2 1.2 65-74 2.5 1.8 0.7 75-84 1.3 1.0 0.3 85+ 0.8 0.3 0.4 (Source: ABS 2001, 2006 and ABS 2012)

Cultural diversity Ethnicity data from the 2011 census provides an indication of cultural diversity2 in the region. Table 8 shows the Northern Rivers has smaller proportions of overseas-born residents compared to NSW as a whole. The largest proportions of our overseas-born residents have arrived from places dissimilar to the NSW population including Europe. These data illustrate comparatively less cultural diversity in our region.

2 Cultural diversity acknowledges the existence of broad cultural groups within Australia (NSW Public Service Commission 2011)

16 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers Table 8 – Country of birth

Birthplace Birthplace Ranking* (proportion of (proportion of NSW population) Northern Rivers population)

1 Australia (87.8%) Australia (72.8%)

2 England (4.0%) England (3.5%)

3 New Zealand (2.0%) China, excl. SAR’s3(2.4%)

4 Germany (0.5%) New Zealand (1.8%)

5 Scotland (0.5%) India (1.5%)

6 United Stated (0.4%) Vietnam (1.1%)

7 Netherlands (0.4%) Philipines (1.1%)

8 South Africa (0.3%) Lebanon (0.9%)

9 Philipines (0.3%) Italy (0.8%)

10 Italy (0.3%) Korea, Republic of (South) (0.6%) (source: ABS 2012) * ranking from largest to smallest percentage

3 The Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China (SAR) are autonomous territories that fall within the sovereignty of the People's Republic of China, which do not, however, form part of Mainland China

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 17

Housing

Household Size The 2011 census recorded a larger proportion of one and two person households (+3.7% and +4.9% respectively) in our region compared to the State (Figure 16) and a correspondingly lower proportion of three to six person households. This pattern is reflected at LGA level, although Byron Shire has a smaller proportion (+2% compared to NSW) of two person households.

Figure 16 – Persons per household as proportion of all households 2011

45% 40% 1 person 35% 2 persons 30% 25% 3 persons 20% 4 persons

% Households 15% 10% 5 persons

5% 6 or more 0% persons

Location

(source: ABS 2012)

Household composition Compared to NSW, household composition in the Northern Rivers is quite distinct (Figure 17). A smaller proportion of households in the region comprise couples with children (7% lower than NSW as a whole) and a larger proportion of couples with no children (3.3% higher). Other family types are similar to the NSW proportions.

At the LGA level, Byron Shire households have relatively smaller proportions of families with and without children. This may reflect the transient nature of people in that LGA. The Clarence Valley contains the highest proportion of families without children (28.3%) in the region and a smaller proportion of families with children.

18 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers Figure 17 – Household types as a proportion of all households 2011

50 45 One family household:

40 Couple with no children

35 One family household: 30 Couple with children 25 One family household: 20 One parent family 15 One family household: 10 Other family 5 Proportionof Households (%) 0 Multi family households: Ballina Byron Clarence Kyogle Lismore Richmond Tweed Northern New all types Valley Valley Rivers South Wales Non-Family Other LGA / NSW households

(source: ABS 2012)

Housing affordability Housing affordability is influenced by rent/mortgage payments and income. In instances where high housing costs are coupled with low incomes, residents “may lack purchasing power for obtaining other essentials such as food, clothing, education, transport and health care” (Kelly et al. 2005).

Housing costs vary across the Northern Rivers. Table 9 indicates that rents and property sale prices in Ballina, Byron and Tweed are the highest in the region. Most significantly prices in Byron exceed those in the rest of NSW. A useful comparison is drawn from examining Rest of NSW figures which excludes the impact of Sydney housing costs and the high proportion of non-detached housing stock reflected in State figures. Table 9 – Median housing costs 2012

Rent for two Rent for three Sale price: LGA/Region bedroom bedroom all properties ($ median) ($ median) ($’000 median) Ballina 280 380 430 Byron 380 475 541 Clarence Valley 230 280 299 Kyogle 215 250 - Lismore 230 300 310 Richmond Valley 195 270 330 Tweed 290 360 383 Northern Rivers 260 330 382 NSW (excluding Sydney) 235 300 315 NSW (including Sydney) 395 390 460 NB the Northern Rivers measurement is an average of the associated LGAs. Kyogle data not available due to small numbers. (source: Housing NSW 2013)

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 19

The data in Figure 18 draws from a different and older data set than Table 9, but also indicates that residents in the region generally pay higher weekly rents compared to the rest of NSW. They also show this to be the case for Indigenous people who are renting.

Figure 18 – Weekly rental payments 2011

Northern Rivers 10 indigenous population 8 NSW indigenous 6 population 4 Northern Rivers 2 Proportionof % People total population 0 NSW total population

Weekly Rental Amount

(source: ABS 2012)

Figures 19 and 20 show how rental and property prices have changed since 2009. They show that median weekly rents are generally increasing in all areas. Sale prices for properties decreased in Byron, Kyogle, Lismore and Tweed between 2012 and 2013, but increased in Ballina and Richmond Valley, consistent with NSW trends.

Figure 19 – Median weekly rents 2009-2013

500 450 400 350 300 June 2009 250 200 June 2011 150 100 50 March 2013 0 Median Weekly Rent(3 Bedrooms)

LGA and NSW

Source: Housing NSW (2009), (2011), (2013)

20 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers Figure 20 – Median house sale prices

700

600

500

400 March 2009 300 March 2011 200

100 December 2012 Median Sale Prices (000s) Prices Sale Median 0

LGA and NSW Source: Housing NSW (2009), (2011), (2013)

Tenure Type of housing tenure provides an indication of housing security. Those who live in owner-occupied dwellings (especially those who own their home outright) generally enjoy a greater degree of financial security and experience less housing stress than those who rent.

Table 10 illustrates that more people in the Northern Rivers own their properties outright when compared to the broader NSW population. Home ownership with a mortgage is slightly lower for the region when compared to the State, with the exception of Lismore.

Notable features of the tenure data are the comparatively lower proportions of people who rent in the Clarence Valley and Kyogle and the higher proportion of renters in Byron, which likely reflects the cost of buying property in these areas. The proportion of people in the region who rent social housing, which includes public and community housing, is significantly lower than the proportion for the whole of NSW. This highlights the lower stock levels in the region and is reflected in the social housing waiting list data provided by Housing NSW on its Housing Pathways website. Waiting times for two and three bedroom dwellings is 10+ years in the coastal areas of the region and between two and 10 years in the rest of the region. Social Habitat (2012) also identifies less common tenure types, such as caravans, manufactured homes, forms of rural land sharing and workers cottages. While they were previously seen as successful, affordable housing solutions, some have lost institutional support and legitimacy however they remain among a range of other low-cost housing solutions that have been developed in the Northern Rivers.

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 21

Table 10 – Type of housing tenure 2011

Owned Owned with Private Rental Social Housing LGA/Region outright % a mortgage % % Rental %

Ballina 35.5 34.3 26.2 4.1 Byron 31.9 34.6 32.0 1.5 Clarence Valley 38.2 35.2 23.6 3.0 Kyogle 41.5 34.6 20.6 3.3 Lismore 31.4 39.9 25.1 3.6 Richmond Valley 33.4 36.8 25.5 4.3 Tweed 34.7 35.4 27.2 2.7 Northern Rivers 34.8 35.9 26.2 3.1 NSW 29.2 41.1 25.3 4.4 (source: ABS 2012) Mortgage and rent stress Mortgage and rent stress are two housing-related measures calculated on a per household basis. By the Public Health Information Development Unit (PHIDU 2012) definitions, households earning less than 80% of median income and spending more than 30% of income on mortgage repayments are those which experience mortgage stress. Households earning less than 80% of median income and spending more than 25% of income on rent are those which experience rent stress.

Figure 21 shows that there are higher proportions of households in the Northern Rivers experiencing both rent and mortgage stress compared to NSW as a whole. Specifically, Byron Shire is relatively disadvantaged, having larger proportions of households experiencing both rent (41.3%) and mortgage (20.6%) stress than elsewhere. This is not surprising given the relatively high rental and property costs, coupled with the low incomes of those living there.

Figure 21 – Mortgage and rent stress 2011

45 40 35

30 25 20 15 Rent Stress % Households 10 Mortgage Stress 5 0

LGA / Region

2011 data for low income earners only4 (source: PHIDU 2012)

4 Households in the bottom 40% of income distribution with less than 80% of median equivalised income

22 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers Homelessness The Australian Bureau of Statistics released some data relating to this demographic at the State and Territory scales following the 2011 census (see ABS 2012d), however this data is insufficient to analyse the prominence of homelessness in the Northern Rivers. ‘Homelessness' is not directly measured in the Census. Instead, estimates of the homeless population are derived using analytical techniques based on the characteristics observed by Census collectors and assumptions about the way people may respond to Census questions (ABS 2013a).

Table 11 shows an estimated increase in the proportion of the NSW population that were homeless from 25.0% (in 2006) to 27.0% (in 2011) and, despite its geographical limitations, it is likely that at least some of the patterns at the national level apply to the Northern Rivers. These patterns indicate that men are more at risk of homelessness than women and there is a larger proportion of non- Indigenous people estimated to experience homelessness.

Table 11 – Homelessness estimates: Australia 2006 and 2011

2006 2011 Variable Demographic estimate estimate (% of pop.) (% of pop.)

Persons who are in improvised dwellings, tents or sleeping 8 6 out Persons in supported accommodation for the homeless 19 20 Homeless Persons staying temporarily with other households 20 17 category Persons staying in boarding houses 17 17 Persons in other temporary lodging 1 1 Persons living in 'severely' crowded dwellings 35 39 Male 57 56 Gender Female 43 44 Indigenous Indigenous 29 25 Status Non-Indigenous 64 67 (source: ABS 2012d)

Table 12 provides the number of persons counted as homeless in the 2011 Census for the Northern NSW Local Health District and for the State overall. The category ‘persons who are in improvised dwellings, tents or sleeping out’ is often referred to as rough sleeping and is typically what people think of as homeless. Estimates drawn from the data in Table 12 indicate that 0.5% of the Northern Rivers population were counted as homeless in the 2011 Census compared to 0.4% for the state overall. Furthermore, ‘rough sleepers’ in our region made up 19.8% of the State’s rough sleeping homeless population.

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 23

Table 12 – Number of homeless persons 2011

Homelessness category Northern NSW NSW

Persons who are in improvised dwellings, tents or sleeping out 342 1,726

Persons in supported accommodation for the homeless 271 4,460

Persons staying temporarily with other households 325 4,574

Persons staying in boarding houses 234 5,921

Persons in other temporary lodging 25 147

Persons living in 'severely' crowded dwellings 188 9,293

Total homeless population 1,385 28,209

Total population 287,809 6,917,656

(Source: ABS 2013a)

Results from the 2013 community wellbeing survey (RDA–NR and NRSDC, in press) provide further insights into homelessness in the Northern Rivers, with 19.3% of respondents identifying they had at some stage experienced homelessness5 or had stayed with friends or relatives because they had nowhere else to go (Figure 22). The majority of respondents (30.5%) had been homeless for more than three months or one to three months (29.0%).

Figure 22 – Duration of homelessness

10 Proportionof Respondents

5 whohad experienced homelessness (%)

0 1 night to 1 week 1 week to 1 month 1 to 3 months More than 3 months

(source: RDA-NR and NRSDC in prep)

5 In this survey ‘homelessness’ was self-defined.

24 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers Income Income is an important indicator of economic wellbeing. Across the nation in 2010, 19% of adults reported their household had one or more cash flow problems (ABS 2011). These problems resulted in households being unable to pay bills such as electricity, gas, telephone or car registration, on time.

Local professionals report similar observations in our region. For example, Jenni Beetson-Mortimer (former CEO Lismore Neighbourhood Centre [LNC]) reported significant issues with families and individuals being unable to purchase essential items such as fridges and washing machines. The LNC microfinance program has loaned $1.8 million (from Grafton to Tweed) since the beginning of 2010 to low income families and individuals. The organisation has also seen significant numbers of families and individuals on a weekly basis who are unable to purchase food.

Personal and household income by LGA Incomes in Australia’s regional areas are generally lower than those in Australian metropolitan centres as noted by Lismore City Council (2011) when comparing the 2008/09 average personal incomes in the region ($35,822) with those of the broader NSW population ($48,793). Similar patterns emerge from the current, actual weekly household earnings reported by residents in the 2011 census (Figure 23). The proportion of households in the Northern Rivers earning incomes in the higher earnings categories (i.e. from $1,500 to more than $5,000 per week) was smaller than the proportion across NSW. Median weekly household incomes ($834) in our region are 67.2% of the median household incomes for NSW ($1,237); and 58.8% of our households earn less than $1,000 per week compared to 42.1% for the whole of NSW.

Figure 23 – Weekly household income 2011

18% 16% 14% 12% Northern 10% Rivers 8%

Households (%) 6% New South 4% Wales 2% 0%

Income Range

(source: ABS 2012)

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 25

Table 13 identifies that in the Northern Rivers Tweed, Byron and Ballina proportion of Indigenous people (40.9%) earn less than $300 per week. This Shires had the largest proportions of those earning $2,000 or more per week compares with 30.2% of the broader population across the region reporting in 2011. It also illustrates dissimilar income personal patterns associated with with similar earnings our Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents. In the region a larger

Table 13 – Weekly personal income 2011

$1,000- $1,250- $1,500- $2,000 or LGA/Region No income $1-$199 $200-$299 $300-$399 $400-$599 $600-$799 $800-$999 $1,249 $1,499 $1,999 more

E I E I E I E I E I E I E I E I E I E I E I

(%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%)

Ballina 5.4 7.3 7.9 12.4 13.2 19.0 14.5 16.5 17.3 17.5 13.0 10.1 8.5 6.3 6.6 5.2 4.2 2.2 5.2 2.6 3.5 0.8

Byron 6.5 8.9 7.8 12.7 13.5 14.9 14.6 19.3 17.7 13.0 12.7 10.4 8.2 7.9 6.4 4.4 3.7 1.9 4.4 3.2 3.8 0.9

Clarence 5.8 7.6 9.0 14.7 18.6 21.6 16.5 18.9 17.4 14.0 11.6 7.9 7.0 6.1 5.3 3.5 3.1 2.3 3.4 2.1 1.8 0.8 Valley

Kyogle 6.9 8.4 9.4 15.3 19.7 24.4 17.1 17.4 16.7 10.8 11.1 15.3 6.9 2.4 4.3 2.8 2.7 2.1 2.7 1.0 1.7 0.0

Lismore 5.8 6.5 8.7 15.3 14.6 19.7 14.5 16.7 16.4 14.3 13.6 9.8 8.9 6.3 6.4 4.5 3.8 2.5 4.1 2.2 2.4 1.8

Richmond 5.8 8.8 8.9 14.2 17.9 20.1 16.0 16.6 16.2 14.1 13.4 12.5 8.7 5.1 5.8 4.6 2.6 0.9 2.8 2.0 1.3 0.0 Valley

Tweed 6.1 9.3 8.0 12.4 16.0 15.4 15.8 14.8 16.5 15.9 11.9 11.5 7.9 6.6 6.4 5.9 3.9 3.1 4.3 3.4 2.6 1.1

Northern 6.0 8.1 8.4 13.8 15.8 19.0 15.5 16.8 16.9 14.8 12.4 10.4 8.0 6.1 6.1 4.6 3.6 2.3 4.1 2.5 2.6 0.9 Rivers

NSW 8.7 9.0 7.9 12.2 11.6 16.8 11.1 14.6 12.5 14.3 11.0 11.0 8.6 7.0 8.1 5.6 5.7 3.3 7.1 3.4 7.2 1.9

E = entire population, I = Indigenous population (source: ABS 2012) Note proportions of people earning negative income have been excluded from this table, but included in calculating the proportions in each category.

Income from pensions and allowances Income received by residents of the Northern Rivers can be further analysed from the perspective of pensions and allowances disbursed by the Australian Government. Such payments are vital to the socio- economic wellbeing of the payment recipients and include Age Pensions, Department of Veteran Affairs Payments, Carers Payments, Disability Support Pensions, Youth Allowance Payments and the Newstart Allowance. Figure 24 shows a higher proportion of the population receiving all of these payments in the Northern Rivers than for NSW and that this has been a consistent trend since 2004. Figure 25 indicates that the Age and Disability Support Pensions are the main pensions received by our residents.

Figure 24 – Income from all pensions and allowances 2004-2010

35.0%

30.0%

25.0%

20.0% Northern Rivers 15.0% NSW

10.0%

5.0%

% of Receiving ERP Govt. Pensions & Allowances 0.0% 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Year

(source: ABS 2011a) NB no Youth Allowance data is available for 2009

Figure 25 – Income from pensions 2004-2010

10 Aged DVA 8 Carers 6 Disability Newstart 4 Parenting 2 Youth

0 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Year

(source: ABS 2011a) NB no Youth Allowance data available for 2009

Northern Rivers Regional Profile (2013) 27

Employment In July 2012, key features of the Northern Rivers regional labour market included the “casualisation of the workforce, under-employment, insecure work and long term unemployment. The Northern Rivers region continues to rely strongly on employment in retail trade (14.4% of total employment), with the health care and social sector now also accounting for a significant proportion of total employment in the region (13.0%). Accommodation and food services, as well as manufacturing, continue to employ a large percentage of the population” (DEEWR 2012).

Figure 26 displays recent unemployment6 rates in the region, and indicates that the unemployment rate for Ballina was consistently lower than all other LGAs in the region and lower (excluding March 2009) than the rate for NSW as a whole. All other LGAs in the region have higher unemployment rates compared with NSW. Byron Shire has endured the highest unemployment rate since March 2009, followed by Kyogle and Clarence Valley. The latest 2013 measures indicate that these three LGAs had the highest unemployment rates in the region (8.8%, 7.4% and 7.4% respectively).

Figure 26 – Unemployment rates 2008-2013

9 Ballina

8 Byron 7 Clarence Valley 6 Kyogle

% Unemployed 5 Lismore Richmond Valley 4 Tweed 3 Northern Rivers New South Wales Sep-08 Sep-09 Sep-10 Sep-11 Sep-12 Mar-09 Mar-10 Mar-11 Mar-12 Mar-13 Year

(source: DEEWR 2013)

Participation rates7 offer more sensitive depictions of a regions workforce. Table 14 compares the most current participation rates (in addition to other unemployment and employment data) in our region against NSW. The unemployment rate was higher in the Northern Rivers than in NSW (6.1% to 5.0% respectively) and furthermore, the participation rate was lower than the NSW equivalent (54.1% compared to 63.5%). The unemployment rate in the region improved marginally in the year prior to December 2012, however a converse scenario was evident in the participation rate. Unemployment rates are approximately three times higher for the Indigenous populations both in the Northern Rivers (20.4%) and NSW (16.9%), although the regional unemployment rate is almost 4% higher than the state average.

6 ABS defines a person as employed if they are aged 15 or older and worked one hour or more during the week prior to answering the labour force survey question. A person is defined unemployed if they are 15 or older and not employed (as defined above) looking for work and available to start work immediately. 7 Workforce participation is a measure of the proportion of economically active individuals within an economy. It is defined as the ratio of the employed and unemployed (or the workforce) to the working age population (those aged 15 years and over) (Abhayaratna and Lattimore 2006, p.7)

28 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers

Table 14 – Labour force December 2012

Labour force Unemployment Unemployment rate Participation rate Area (000s) (000s) (%) (%)

2011 2012 2011 2012 2011 2012 2011 2012

E I E I

Northern 137.3 135.4 8.4 8.1 6.3 20.4 6.1 55.3 47.8 54.1 Rivers

NSW 3,613.6 3,670.4 209.1 191.3 5.5 16.9 5.0 63.6 51.2 63.5

E = entire population; I = indigenous (only available for 2011) NB: measurements displayed above relate to the December quarter in the respective year (source ABS 2012, ABS 2012b and DEEWR 2013)

Casualisation and under-employment of the region’s workforce is reflected by comparing hours worked per week for our region’s population to those of the rest of NSW. Figure 27 highlights a higher proportion of our population works part-time (34.8% vs 28.2%) than full-time (52.0% vs 60.2%); and slightly larger proportion of the population in each LGA works less than 15 hours a week than in the rest of the state (13.2% vs 10.4%). Part-time employment (42.8%) just exceeds full-time employment (42.3%) in Byron Shire.

Figure 27 – Employment hours worked 2011

40 Full time 30 part time % Labourforce 20 <15 hrs

LGA / Region (source: ABS 2012)

Northern Rivers Regional Profile (2013) 29

Crime The estimated cost of crime in Australia in 2005 was $35.8 billion and the likelihood of an individual engaging in criminal activity is thought to have increased due to social problems, including low levels of education, unemployment, substance abuse, dysfunctional family circumstances and poor mental health (Drabsch 2010).

Crime rates Figure 28 contains a range of common offences in the region in 2011, the most significant of these being malicious damage to property.

Figure 28 – Rates for selected offences

1,800

1,600

1,400

1,200 Ballina 1,000 Byron 800 Clarence Valley

600 Kyogle Lismore 400 Rate per100,000 people Richmond Valley 200 Tweed 0 Northern Rivers Assault - Assault - Break and Break and Motor Steal FromSteal From Malicious domestic Non Enter Enter Non Vehicle Motor Retail Damage NSW violevce Domestic Dwelling Dwelling Theft Vehicle Store to Violence Property Crime Type

(source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics 2012) Crime rate trends Figures 29 to 32 illustrate a range of crime statistics for the period 2008-2012, highlighting that:  for the majority of crime types, offence rates were higher in the Northern Rivers than in NSW generally; motor vehicle theft and robbery are perhaps the exception to these trends (note: robbery data for Kyogle are skewed due to the small population);  Kyogle, Lismore and Richmond Valley had the highest rates of domestic violence in the region. Rates in these LGAs improved markedly during the period and rates in the other LGAs were below the State-wide measurement (Figure 29);  break and enter rates in Richmond Valley increased sharply between 2009-2010 (Figure 30);  cannabis offence rates are particularly high in the Lismore and Byron LGAs and the rate in Byron Shire has increased every year since 2008 (Figure 31);  arson rates were highest in the Kyogle and Richmond Valley LGAs. Offence rates in both LGAs exhibited sharp increases in 2011 (Figure 31);  liquor offences have been consistently higher in Byron compared to the region’s other LGAs (Figure 32).

30 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers Northe Figure 29 – Crime rates: Assault, sexual offences and robbery rn

ASSAULT (NON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE) RATES

Rivers Profile2013 Regional ASSAULT (DOMESTIC VIOLENCE) RATES 950 Ballina 1,400 Ballina 850 Byron 1,200 Byron 750

Clarence Clarence Valley 1,000 Valley 650 Kyogle Kyogle 550 Lismore 800 Lismore 450 Richmond 600 Rate perRate 100,000 Richmon 350 Valley Rate per100,000 Tweed d Valley 400 Tweed 250 Northern Northern 150 Rivers 200 Total NSW 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Rivers 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Total Year Year NSW

SEXUAL OFFENCE RATES ROBBERY RATES 400 Ballina Ballina 120.0 Byron 350 Byron Bay 100.0

Clarence Clarence 300 80.0 Valley Valley Kyogle Kyogle 60.0 250 Lismore Lismore 40.0 Richmond 200 perRate 100,000 Rate perRate 100,000 Richmond Valley Valley 20.0 Tweed 150 Tweed Northern - Northern Rivers 100 Rivers 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Total NSW 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Total NSW Year Year

(source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics 2012)

Figure 30 – Crime rates: break and enter, theft and malicious property damage

BREAK AND ENTER (DWELLING) RATES Ballina MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT RATES 1,200 500 Ballina Byron Bay 1,100 450 Byron 1,000 Clarence 400

Clarence Valley 900 350 Valley Kyogle Kyogle 800 300 Lismore Lismore 700 250 Richmond Richmond 600 200 Rate perRate 100,000

Valley perRate 100,000 Valley 500 Tweed 150 Tweed 400 Northern 100 Northern Rivers 300 Rivers Total NSW 50 Total NSW 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Year Year

RETAIL STORE THEFT RATES MALICIOUS PROPERTY DAMAGE RATES Ballina 450 Ballina 2,500 2,300 Byron Bay 400 Byron Bay

2,100 Clarence 350 Clarence 1,900 Valley Regional Development Australia Regional 300 Valley Kyogle Kyogle 1,700 250 Lismore Lismore 1,500 200 Richmond Rate perRate 100,000 Richmond 1,300

Rate perRate 100,000 Valley 150 Valley Tweed 1,100 Tweed 100 900 Northern Northern Rivers 50 Rivers 700 Total NSW 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Total NSW 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

– Year Year Northern Rivers Rivers Northern (source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics 2012)

Northern Rivers Profile2013 Regional Northern Figure 31 – Crime rates: arson, cannabis, weapons, offensive language and weapons offences ARSON CRIME RATES POSSESSION/USE OF CANNABIS OFFENCE RATES 350.0 Ballina 4,000 Ballina Bay

300.0 Byron Bay 3,500 Byron

Clarence 3,000 250.0 Clarence Valley 2,500 Valley 200.0 Kyogle Kyogle 2,000 150.0 Lismore Lismore 1,500 Richmond Rate perRate 100,000 Richmond

100.0 perRate 100,000 Valley 1,000 Valley Tweed Tweed 50.0 500 Northern Northern - Rivers 0 Rivers 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Total NSW 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Total NSW Year Year PROHIBITED WEAPONS OFFENCE RATES Ballina OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE OFFENCE RATES 300 400 Ballina Byron Bay 250 350 Byron Clarence

300 Clarence Valley 200 Valley Kyogle 250 Kyogle 200 150 Lismore Lismore 150 Richmond Richmond

100 perRate 100,000 Rate perRate 100,000 Valley 100 Valley Tweed Tweed 50 50 Northern 0 Northern 0 Rivers 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Rivers Total NSW 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Total NSW Year Year

34 Figure 32 – Crime rates: liquor, breaches of apprehended violence orders and resist/hinder officer offences

Ballina BREACHED APPREHENDED VIOLENCE ORDER RATES LIQUOR OFFENCE RATES Ballina 2,000 500 Byron Bay 450 Byron Bay Clarence 400 Clarence

1,500 Valley 350 Valley Kyogle Kyogle 300 Lismore 1,000 250 Lismore Richmond 200 Richmond Valley Rate perRate 100,000 Rate per100,000 150 Valley 500 Tweed Tweed 100 Northern 50 Northern Rivers Rivers 0 Total NSW 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Total NSW Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Year

RESIST/HINDER OFFICER OFFENCE RATES 500 Ballina

Byron Bay 400 Clarence Valley Regional Development Australia Regional 300 Kyogle

Lismore 200

Rate per100,000 Richmond Valley 100 Tweed

Northern 0 Rivers Total NSW Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

–

Northern Rivers Rivers Northern (source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics 2012)

Health Although the overall level of health and wellbeing of Australians is relatively high compared with other countries, there are significant disparities in the health outcomes of different populations within Australia (ABS 2011b). Health status is a complex phenomenon which is influenced by a range of socio-economic factors including an individual’s place of residence, access to health services, and the environment in which he or she lives (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [AIHW] 2012). Notwithstanding this complexity, health-related behavioural measures are valuable indicators of health levels within our communities.

Table 15 represents the percentage of people in the Northern NSW Local Health District (LHD) who ‘self- rated’ their own health as excellent, very good, or good in 2011. This is comparable to NSW overall.

Table 15 – Self-rated health as excellent, very good or good

Year 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

NHD 80.1 79.7 79.4 79.1 79 78.9 79 79.3 79.6 80.1

NSW 80.8 80.5 80.3 80.3 80.3 80.3 80.4 80.4 80.3 80.2

As reported by proportions of persons aged 16 years and older (source: CEE 2012)

Health-related behaviours Data on health-related behaviours are mostly accessed from the Northern NSW Local Health District (LHD) website, which covers a similar region to the Northern Rivers, including the Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed LGAs.

The NSW Ministry of Health collects data on ‘adequate physical activity’ (i.e. at least 30 minutes of moderate activity on most, and preferably all, days of the week) for people aged 16 years and older. Figure 33 indicates that during each year between 2007 and 2011 a larger proportion of the Northern NSW LHD undertook adequate physical activity than did so across the State. However, the proportions of both populations decreased by approximately 2% between 2009 and 2011, indicating an overall reduction in physical activity.

Figure 33 – Adequate physical activity

59 57.9 58.3 58 57.9 56.7 57 56.3 56 55.9 56.2 Northern 55 55.6 NSW LHD % of People 54.9 NSW 54 53.9 53 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Year

(source: Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence [CEE] 2013)

Dietary (e.g. consumption of fruit, vegetables and alcohol) and exercise behaviours are widely accepted as the basis of healthy populations (AIWH 2011). In terms of diet, the population in the Northern NSW LHD is

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 35

comparatively better placed than NSW as a whole. Figure 34 illustrates a larger proportion of people in the LHD consumes the recommended daily intake of two servings of fruit and five of vegetables than the NSW average. There was a decrease from 2009 in the proportions of both populations that consumed the recommended amounts. It is difficult to speculate on the reasons for this decline, however increased production values and reduced supplies of fruit and vegetables between 2004 and 2010 (DAFF 2011) could be contributing factors.

Figure 34 – Fruit and vegetable consumption

70 58.3 60 56.9 58 57.6 55.6 50 55.2 56.1 56 54.8 52.1 Northern NSW LHD (Fruit) 40 NSW (Fruit) 30

% of People Northern NSW 20 13.7 14 13.9 13.3 12.1 LHD (Veg) 10 9.9 10.1 9.9 9.5 8.7 NSW (Veg) 0 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Year

Northern NSW LHD and NSW populations, 16 years and older (source: CEE 2013)

Smoking and alcohol consumption present significant health risks and Northern NSW performs poorly in comparison to the rest of NSW in this regard. Between 2007 and 2011 for instance, proportions of the Northern NSW population that consumed more than two standard drinks on a day when they consumed alcohol were at least 3% higher than those in the broader NSW population (Figure 35).

Figure 35 – Alcohol consumption

36 34.9 34.5 34.1 33.6 34 33.7

32 Northern

% of People 30 NSW LHD 30.6 30.4 30.2 NSW 29.7 29 28 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Year

Proportions of Northern NSW LHD and NSW populations that consumed more than 2 standard drinks on a day when drinking alcohol, persons aged 16 years and older (source: CEE 2013)

Between 2006-07 and 2010-11, the rate of alcohol-attributable hospitalisations (Figure 36) among the Northern NSW population was approximately 1% higher compared to NSW as a whole. This figure is much higher for Indigenous Australians in the Northern NSW LHD who – in 2011-12 – had 2,145 per 100,000 hospitalisations compared to 1,639 per 100,000 for the NSW Indigenous population and 665 for the overall NSW population. Fortunately this is a decreasing trend.

36 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers

Figure 36 – Alcohol-attributable hospitalisations

3000 2,827 Indig Pop 2,332 2,456 2,357 2500 2,205 Northern 2,145 NSW LHD 2000 Indig Pop 1,864 1,810 1,849 1,639 1500 1,780 1,661 NSW

1000 703 819 779 756 750 Total Pop Rate per100,000 735 Northern 500 658 655 659 655 650 665 NSW LHD 0 Total Pop 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 NSW Year

Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations, Northern NSW LHD vs. NSW (source: CEE 2013)

The proportion of people who consume alcohol is decreasing. This pattern could be a consequence of government and community led campaigns targeting risky behaviours. The ‘Cringe the Binge’ campaign designed to reduce youth binge drinking is a grass-roots example prominent in the Northern Rivers region.

The Northern NSW LHD has a higher proportion of cigarette smokers than the State average and Figure 37 illustrates that in 2011, 18.2% of our population were smokers compared to 16% State wide.

Figure 37 – Smoking prevalence

25.0 20.0 19.4 18.4 17.8 17.7 18.2 18.0 15.0 17.3 16.7 16.3 16.0 10.0 Northern NSW 5.0 LHD 0.0 Percentage of Popn NSW

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Year

Proportions of Northern NSW LHD and NSW populations that smoked cigarettes, persons aged 16 years and older (source: CEE 2013)

Other health indicators In comparison to the NSW population similar, but slightly larger, proportions of people in Northern NSW LHD were classified as obese or overweight between 2007 and 2010 (Figure 38), which does not appear consistent with the statistics for physical activity and diet (Figures 33 & 34) which are recognised as contributing factors. Both populations reflected a slight reduction in obesity levels from 2010 to 2011, with a smaller proportion of overweight people in the Northern Rivers than NSW in 2011.

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 37

Figure 38 – Overweight or obese persons aged 16 years or older

60 55 53.3 53.5 52.9 52.5 51.3 50 51.7 52.2 52.5 52.3 51.7 Northern

NSW LHD

45 % 40 NSW 35 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Proportionof Population Year

(source: CEE 2013)

Of the social determinants of health listed in Table 16, at 65 years of age both men and women are expected to live slightly longer than the equivalent population cohort across NSW. There are comparatively fewer hospitalisations in our region and ‘life expectancy at birth’ rates are lower for Northern NSW than the State average. Table 16 – Burden of disease Northern Social determinants of health Period Group NSW NSW LHD 2006-7 Males 728.8 765 Deaths – all causes* 2006-7 Females 490.3 493.9 2006-7 Males 197 210.4 Deaths – potentially avoidable* 2006-7 Females 113 128.3 2010-11 Males 35,048 33,732 Hospitalisations* 2010-11 Females 36,350 35,215 2003-7 Males 79.2 78.6 Life expectancy at birth (yrs) 2003-7 Females 84.0 83.9 2003-7 Males 83.5 83.8 Life expectancy at 65 yrs (yrs) 2003-7 Females 86.9 87.3 Suicide 2007 Persons 7.8 8.3 Social determinants of health, Northern NSW LHD vs NSW population, males and females *Rates measured per 100,000 populations (source: CEE 2012)

Table 17 illustrates health inequalities relating to Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in the region and NSW. The prevalence both of premature babies and low birth weight babies is comparatively higher for Indigenous parents. However, these rates have decreased since 2004-8 when the percentage of low birth weight babies in the region’s Indigenous population was 12.4% and premature babies was 11.9%.

Table 17 – Health inequalities Social determinants Northern Period Group NSW of health NSW LHD 2009-10 Indigenous 11.1% 9.4% Premature babies 2009-10 Non-Indigenous 7.2% 6.1% 2009-10 Indigenous 11.0% 8.2% Low birth weight babies 2009-10 Non-Indigenous 5.9% 5.0% Immunisation coverage 2009 Indigenous 87.2% 89.9% (12-15 months) 2009 Non-Indigenous 91.9% 85.3% (source: CEE 2012)

38 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers

Education

Educational attainment Measures of educational attainment include the proportions of people who progressed directly to university from high school in 2011 (Figure 39), the highest level of secondary education (Figures 40 and 41) and tertiary qualifications (Table 18) obtained the same year.

Figure 39 indicates the proportions of school leavers enrolled at a university in March 2012 based on the number of 17 year olds in 2011, i.e. the majority of school leavers. In the Northern Rivers, those proportions were markedly lower (and in some instances such as Tweed Shire at 6.8%, more than four times lower) than the proportion State wide. Despite the generally low figures, the proportion of school leavers progressing directly to university in the region has increased since 2011 when only 9% of Northern Rivers school leavers were enrolled in university (compared to 26.6% for NSW). These results may be influenced by long distances between homes and tertiary institutions, limited transport options and other factors such as school leavers taking gap years.

Figure 39 – School leaver participation in higher education 2012

29.1 30

20 14.4 14.6 14.4 14.5 15 11.4 9.9 10.5 10 6.8

5 ProportionofLeavers School (%) 0 Ballina Byron Clarence Kyogle Lismore Richmond Tweed Northern New South Valley Valley Rivers Wales LGA / Region

(source: PHIDU 2013)

Similar patterns between the NSW population and the Northern Rivers are evident in the secondary education attainment (Figure 40). There were higher proportions of the usual resident population in NSW that completed Year 12 (52%) than for the Northern Rivers (38.2%), apart from the Byron LGA (53.4%). Across the region the LGAs with the smallest proportions of students completing Year 12 were the Richmond and Clarence Valleys with 26.5% and 30.1% respectively. The data also show that proportion of students attaining a Year 10 qualification as their highest qualification (35.1%) was nearly 10% greater than for NSW (26.4%) although the Northern Rivers had a smaller proportion (0.3%) than NSW (1.1%) who did not go to school.

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 39

Figure 40 – Highest Secondary school attainment

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0% Ballina Byron Clarence Kyogle Lismore Richmond Tweed Northern NSW Valley Valley Rivers

Year 12 or equivalent Year 11 or equivalent Year 10 or equivalent Year 9 or equivalent Year 8 or below Did not go to school

(source: ABS 2012)

Attainment of tertiary qualifications (Table 18) in the region is generally lower than the State average. Certificate III & IV were the highest qualification for more than two-fifths (43.7%) of those attaining a post- secondary qualification. In contrast, across NSW, Bachelor Degrees were the most common, with 30.8% of all post-secondary students reaching this level compared to 23.2% for the Northern Rivers.

Table 18 – Highest Level of Post-Secondary education attainment

Postgraduate Graduate Certificate Advanced Degree Diploma Bachelor Level Certificate Certificate Location Diploma and (Masters or and Grad Degree (not fully III & IV I & II Diploma Doctoral) Certificate defined) Population E I E I E I E I E I E I E I group: Ballina 4.8 3.9 3.8 2.2 26.7 18.6 18.4 15.6 4.2 6.1 38.9 48.5 3.1 5.2 Byron 6.4 4.6 4.4 3.8 31.5 17.7 19.9 14.6 3.3 5.4 32.1 46.9 2.4 6.9 Clarence 2.7 2.6 2.7 2.1 17.4 10.2 15.5 17.6 5.5 8.4 51.6 50.3 4.6 8.8 Valley Kyogle 3.0 7.0 3.9 0.0 21.4 5.6 17.8 16.9 5.0 14.1 45.0 49.3 3.8 7.0 Lismore 4.8 5.5 4.1 1.7 26.1 18.0 16.5 17.0 4.1 5.5 40.2 41.9 4.2 10.5 Richmond 2.1 3.5 2.2 0.0 16.0 8.5 14.5 15.5 4.4 2.5 55.6 53.5 5.2 16.5 Valley Tweed 3.5 2.1 3.0 1.3 21.0 15.4 18.4 16.2 4.4 5.8 46.4 50.0 3.3 9.2 Northern 4.1 3.5 3.4 1.6 23.2 14.3 17.6 16.4 4.4 6.2 43.7 48.5 3.6 9.4 Rivers NSW 9.3 2.6 3.2 1.9 30.8 14.2 18.1 15.6 3.8 5.3 32.1 52.3 2.7 8.1 Numbers of non-school student graduates as a proportion of total non-school graduates by region E = entire population, I = Indigenous population; Northern Rivers LGAs and NSW (source: ABS 2012)

40 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers

Indigenous educational attainment figures were more comparable between the NSW and the Northern Rivers. Certificates III & IV were the most commonly completed qualification in both cases with 52.3% and 48.5% of Aboriginal students respectively attaining these qualifications. Generally speaking, Indigenous people have lower rates of attainment for higher qualifications that the entire population. However, it is interesting to note a higher proportion of Indigenous people in the Northern Rivers have postgraduate degrees (3.5%) compared to NSW (2.6%).

Figure 41 highlights increasing proportions of both the NSW and Northern Rivers populations attaining tertiary qualifications (i.e. any post-secondary education). While attainment levels for the Northern Rivers are lower than for NSW, the trend is consistent with the State and shows an increase of 12% since 1996 of people in the region with a tertiary qualification.

Figure 41 – Tertiary educational attainment by population

40 35 31.3 37.0 32.6 30 27.4

24.0 25 27.8 Northern 23.0 Rivers 20 20.3 15 NSW Population 10 5 0 % of Estimated Resident 1996 2001 2006 2011 Year

Source: ABS 2007 and ABS 2012

Certificate III and IV qualifications are held by more of the Northern Rivers population than other qualifications (Figure 42) and this has been a growing trend since 1996 (Figure 42). Certificate III and IV attainment levels increased by 5.5% from 1996 to 2011, with Bachelor Degrees increasing by 3.9%, Diplomas/Advanced Diplomas increasing by 1.4% and Certificate I and II qualifications decreasing by 1.1%. There has been minimal change in attainment levels for Graduate Diplomas/Certificates and Postgraduate Degrees. Figure 42 – Tertiary educational attainment by qualification

16.0 Postgraduate Degree 14.0 Graduate Diploma and 12.0 Graduate Certificate

10.0 Bachelor Degree 8.0 Advanced Diploma and 6.0 Population Diploma 4.0 Certificate nfd(c) % of Estimated Resdient 2.0 Certificate III & IV 0.0 1996 2001 2006 2011 Certificate I & II Year

Source: ABS 2007 and ABS 2012

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 41

Figure 43 indicates a trend for the Northern Rivers to have lower rates of Year 12 and higher rates of Year 10 completions than in NSW generally. The growth in Year 12 completions between 2006 and 2011 may have been influenced by the increase in school leaving age from 15 to 17 in 2010.

Figure 43 – Highest secondary school completions

40 35 Yr 12 - 30 Northern Rivers 25 Yr 12 - 20 NSW

15 Yr 10 - 10 Northern Rivers 5

% Estimated Resident Population Yr 10 - NSW 0 2001 2006 2011 Year

Source: ABS 2007 and ABS 2012

DEEWR (2012d) has identified a strong relationship between educational attainment and labour market outcomes. Figure 44 shows employment participation rates increase to 86% for people with a Certificate III or IV qualification (as opposed 67.1% for the lower certificate levels). A clear incentive exists to encourage students in our region to attain at least Certificate III qualifications, and supports the growth in this qualification in improving employment outcomes locally.

Figure 44 – Educational attainment and labour market outcomes

100% 25.0% 90% 84.0% 86.0% 20.5% 80% 20.0% 79.2% 74.3% 17.6%

70% 64.8% 60% 67.1% 15.0% 50% 9.3% 40% 10.0% 6.4% 6.1%

% Participation rate 30%

4.6% % Unemploymentrate 20% 5.0% 10% 0% 0.0% Bachelor or Advanced Certificate 111 Yr 12 or Certificate 1 & Below Yr 12 higher Diploma and and IV Level equivalent 11 Level and Certificate Diploma Level Level

Unemployment Rate Participation rate

Richmond-Tweed and Clarence Valley PEA, persons aged 25-34 years (source: DEEWR 2012d)

42 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers

Socio-economic indexes for areas (SEIFA) One of the SEIFA indexes – the Index of Relative Socio-economic advantage and disadvantage – summarises information about the economic and social conditions of people and households within an area, including both relative advantage and disadvantage measures. A low score and low ranking indicates relatively greater disadvantage and a lack of advantage in general. For example, an area could have a low score if there are (among other things) many households with low incomes and few households with high incomes. Conversely, a high score indicates a relative lack of disadvantage and greater advantage in general. For example, an area may have a high score if there are (among other things) many people in skilled occupations and few people in unskilled occupations. Table 19 ranks the LGAs in our region according to their SEIFA score within the region. A number of LGAs in the region are particularly disadvantaged, with the Richmond Valley, Kyogle and Clarence Valley being amongst the 20 lowest rankings in NSW.

Table 19 –SEIFA scores and rankings

Rank in LGA SEIFA Score Rank in NSW Northern Rivers Richmond Valley 888 1 7 Kyogle 902 2 11 Clarence Valley 907 3 13 Lismore 946 4 66 Tweed 949 5 68 Byron 979 6 98 Ballina 980 7 99 (source: ABS 2012)

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 43

SERVICES

Infrastructure investment During the 2011/12 financial year our region has received an injection of funds for of the following infrastructure investments (Barton Deakin 2011 unless otherwise indicated) including:

 Health: Expenditure for new regional health services and hospitals in Lismore and Byron Bay.

 Electricity: Essential Energy’s installation of 2.4 km sub transmission (32Kv) line at Ewingsdale, and the re-insulation of lines between Mullumbimby and Ballina. In addition a new substation was installed at Suffolk Park.

 Energy: $4,250,000 from Round 2 of the Regional Development Australia Fund which was granted to the Ballina Biochar and Waste-to-Energy Project. This project involves the construction of a slow- pyrolysis processing plant using an innovative Australian-developed technology to convert organic waste into biochar and electricity. The plant, at the Ballina Waste Management Centre, will be approximately 4,000 square metres and include stockpile, storage areas and processing facilities (DRALGAS 2011).

 Policing: The planning for improved security and functionality of Tweed Police Station.

 Education: The Casino Public School upgrade.

 Roads: The Pacific Highway upgrade ($1 billion in total) comprised dual carriageway and interchange modifications at various locations throughout our region. For example, the Banora Point section has been completed and the Tintenbar to Ewingsdale section has commenced.

 Waste: $45 million for the waste-water treatment plant at West Ballina. Work is currently under way and expected to be finished in the coming months. Work has also started on the upgrades to the Lennox Head wastewater treatment plant (DEEWR 2012a).

 Specialised Accommodation: $12.5 million for a seniors housing development in Tweed Heads which has been approved by the Northern Joint Regional Planning Panel. The development includes 77 self- serviced units within a seven storey building, car parking and ancillary services including a cafe, bar and roof top garden containing swimming pools (DEEWR 2012a).

Projects that received funding from the first rounds of the Regional Development Australia Fund include: $3.5 million Ballina Byron Gateway Airport Apron Extension Project; $4.97 million Lismore City Hall upgrade; $4.25 million Ballina Biochar and Waste-to-Energy Project; and the $4.99 million Arkinstall Park Regional Sports Centre in Tweed Heads8.

Other Community Infrastructure Grants by DRALGAS include $1.5 million for the Murwillumbah One Stop Community Centre and $2.3 million for the Ballina Lighthouse and Lismore Surf Life Saving Club Clubhouse.

8 At the time of writing, the status of projects announced in RDAF rounds 3, 4 & 5 was unclear.

44 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers

Transport “[In] addition to the cost of transport, the time spent travelling can have an impact on quality of life. Time spent commuting takes away from time spent with family and friends or participating in community, cultural and recreational activities.”(Department of Infrastructure and Transport, 2010).

In metropolitan centres, transport services are predominantly scrutinised in relation to cost and journey times. In the regions, however, the availability of transport options is another significant factor worth investigating.

Road The Northern Rivers supports a growing residential and holiday population alongside primary production and value-adding (processing) industries. Transport limitations challenge industries in the region, affecting the delivery of raw materials and the export of finished products, particularly to the South-east Queensland market and Brisbane port.

Transport for NSW (2012b) acknowledges the limited east-west links between the north coast and the New England Tablelands (and Darling Downs) due to the terrain. Currently there is only one approved east-west B-double route between Newcastle and the Queensland border – the Gwydir Highway – which connects Grafton to Glen Innes. This is the only continuous higher-mass limit route. The other major connecting roads, i.e. the Bruxner Highway, Summerland Way and Main Road 622, all have significant constraints. In recent years, proposals to upgrade links between the Northern Rivers and South-east Queensland have not proceeded due to high costs.

The Northern Rivers also experiences high road transport disadvantage. With limited public transport and fragmented infrastructure for cycling and walking, the region’s population is car-dependent. Communities and industries are vulnerable to increases in fuel costs. Registered motor vehicle data is one indicator of reliance on motor vehicles. Figure 45 shows that with the exception of Tweed, the region has higher proportions of motor vehicles registered than the rest of the State.

Figure 45 – Registered Motor Vehicles per 1,000 in March 2010

800 700 600 500 400 300 200

Vehicles Per 1,000 Persons 100 0 Ballina Byron Clarence Kyogle Lismore Richmond Tweed Northern New Valley Valley Rivers South Wales LGA / Region

(source: ABS 2011a)

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 45

From 2004-2010 the total number of registered passenger vehicles (Table 20) in the region increased. With their capacity to carry multiple people, a large increase in the number of registered buses would offset the impacts of car and motorbike increases and provide a more sustainable option. Although bus numbers have increased at almost three times the rate of cars (16.1% compared with 6.1%) the increase in their total passenger carrying capacity is still less than that of cars.

Table 20 – Passenger vehicle, bus and motorcycle registrations per 7,000 (Northern Rivers)

Year Passenger vehicles Buses Motorcycles

2004 3,255 26 131 2005 3,320 26 139 2006 3,363 25 148 2007 3,410 25 154 2008 3,472 26 166 2009 3,447 27 178 2010 3,465 31 180 (source ABS 2011a)

Although there is currently no specific data, we know anecdotally that demand for specialised services catering for people with disabilities, disadvantaged youth and Indigenous people is higher than current services. Air The region is well served for air travel with regional airports at Ballina, Grafton and Lismore providing regular public transport (RPT) flights. In terms of passenger numbers, Ballina Airport was ranked third busiest in NSW, after Newcastle and Sydney airports (Drabsch 2011). The region is also within easy driving distance of the international airports at the Gold Coast and Brisbane. Additionally a number of smaller airstrips including Tyagarah, Murwillumbah and Kooralbyn, service general and sports aviation and tour operators in the region.

The Evans Head Memorial Aerodrome, although not operating for RPT flights, holds historical and social significance, as it was part of the largest RAAF training station in the southern hemisphere during World War II. Since 1992, the Aerodrome hosts an annual event called The Great Eastern Fly-In, which attracts visitors from all over Australia.

The number of air passengers in most regional areas can be volatile; as a whole, the Northern Rivers’ gateways have increased significantly for the five years to 2011 as shown in Table 21.

Table 21 – Change in passenger numbers for Northern Rivers airports

RPT Revenue RPT Revenue % Change Airport Passengers 2005-06 Passengers 2010-11 (2010-11/2005-06)

Ballina 269,886 291,322 +7.9 Grafton 6,250 18,810 +200.9 Lismore 66,880 49,365 -26.2 Gold Coast 3,304,526 4,707,783 +42.7 (Source Australian Airports Association 2012)

46 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers

Ferries and rail Although catering to relatively small passenger volumes, ferry and rail services are available. Ferry services are provided at rivers and inlets across the region including the Clarence River and at the confluence of Emigrant Creek and Richmond River in Ballina. Each year, approximately 12,000 tonnes of cargo is handled through Yamba’s port, which provides a link to Norfolk Island, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands (Sydney Ports Corporation 2013).

CountryLink operates three daily passenger train services connecting Sydney with Grafton/Casino and Brisbane. Rail freight services on the North Coast rail line support only a limited amount of NSW’s freight demand and relative to the Pacific Highway, are not expected to experience a significant growth in volume. While the line was originally opened to meet freight demand in the region, this need progressively declined with the reduction of logging and primary industries (Transport for NSW 2012a).

Information technology and communications The most significant IT infrastructure project affecting the Northern Rivers will be the National Broadband Network (NBN), the future of which is currently being reviewed by the Australian Government.

To date, locations in the Northern Rivers affected by NBN rollout activities are:  fibre service is currently available at the following new developments: Wollongbar Park Estate and Tallowood Ridge (Mullumbimby); and  fibre construction has commenced at Grafton, South Grafton, Waterview Heights, Ballina Heights (new development only) and Seabreeze Estate (new development at Pottsville).

Proposed activities that are yet to be confirmed include fibre network construction at:  Gulmarrad, Harwood, Maclean and Townsend from December 2014;  Angourie, Iluka, Wooloweyah and Yamba from December 2014 in phases with last construction scheduled to commence in March 2015;  Bray Park, Condong, Kielvale, Murwillumbah and South Murwillumbah from June 2014 in phases with last construction scheduled to commence in December 2018; and  Evans Head, Woodburn, Coraki (from June 2016).

Consultation regarding fixed wireless networks for smaller towns and centres has commenced with councils and relevant local communities.

Internet connection Figure 46 illustrates that at 63.8%, the proportion of households with broadband access across the Northern Rivers is almost 10% lower than the proportion State-wide (69.9%). Broadband access is lowest in Kyogle (57.2%) the Richmond (55.3%) and Clarence (60.2%) Valleys and these LGAs also have the highest proportions of dwellings with no internet access.

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 47

Figure 46 – Internet connectivity 2011

80 No Internet 70 connection

60 50 Broadband Internet 40

% Dwellings of 30 Dial-up Internet 20 10 0 Other Internet connections

Location

(source: PHIDU 2012) Education The Northern Rivers has a wide range of educational institutions, including 154 primary schools, 25 high schools and 25 central schools which span primary and secondary. These are complemented by nine campuses of the North Coast Institute of TAFE and two campuses of Southern Cross University (SCU) at Lismore and Coffs Harbour. A third campus of SCU was opened at Coolangatta (QLD) in 2012. A range of adult and community education colleges, branches of the University of the Third Age and approximately 30 cultural educational organisations provide specialist training in the arts, crafts, theatre and film.

In 2013, SCU has more than 15,000 enrolments and research funding of $13 million. It claims a position as one of the leading post-graduate educational facilities in Australia, rating highly in research funding and industry partnerships. It also operates a range of Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs). The Regional Universities Network Economic Impact Study (RedeConsult, 2013) identifies that in Lismore, SCU contributes 10.3% of gross regional product ($353.8 million), 13.1% of household income ($135.1 million) and 10.6% (1,652) of full-time equivalent jobs to the LGA including flow-on effects. Its contribution to the Tweed-Gold Coast is 0.2% of gross regional product ($101.0 million), 0.3% of household income ($32.6 million) and 0.2% (410) full-time equivalent jobs. The contribution towards the NSW economy is $310.2 million in gross State product, and 2,089 full time equivalent jobs. Between 2007 and 2011, 30% of SCU graduates were employed in a regional location in NSW and 6% in a regional Queensland location. The main industry sectors impacted by SCU in the region in terms of employment are health care and social assistance, retail trade, education and training, construction, and accommodation and food services.

The North Coast Institute of TAFE has 17 campuses of which nine in the Northern Rivers, delivering vocational education and training to approximately 45,000 students each year (2010 figures). All campuses offer a wide range of high quality vocational courses, with each campus offering specialist knowledge and training.

48 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers

Health In 2012 the health services network across NSW was changed to give greater decision-making and service delivery responsibilities to local health districts (NSW Health 2012). The former North Coast Area Health Service (NCAHS) was divided into two Local Health Districts (LHDs): the Northern NSW LHD, which encompasses the Northern Rivers region; and the Mid North Coast LHD. The network restructure has not affected the number or location of public hospitals (Table 22).

Table 22 – Health Services in the Northern NSW LHD

Services Locations (number of beds)

Ballina District Hospital (66) Lismore Base Hospital (240) Bonalbo Hospital (12) Maclean District Hospital (36) Byron District Hospital (16) Mullumbimby & District Campbell Hospital Coraki (14) War Memorial Hospital (23) Hospitals Casino & District Memorial Murwillumbah District Hospital (86) Hospital (44) Nimbin Multi-Purpose Centre (4) Grafton Base Hospital (107) The Tweed Hospital (201) Kyogle Memorial Hospital (12) Urbenville Rural Hospital (4)

Ballina Community Health Iluka Community Health Kingscliff Bangalow Community Health Community Health Banora Point Community Centre Kyogle Community Health Bonalbo Community Health Lismore Community Health Byron Bay Community Health Maclean Community Health Community Health Centres Casino Community Health Mullumbimby Community Health Coraki Community Health Murwillumbah Community Health Evans Head Community Health Nimbin Community Health Goonellabah Child & Tweed Heads Community Health Family Health Centre Urbenville Community Health Grafton Community Health Yamba Community Health

(source: NSW Health 2012a)

According to its website9, the Northern NSW LHD provides general and specialist health services to the region’s population including:

 hospitals and community health services which provide access to a wide range of services including family counselling, Aboriginal health, child and family health, immunisation, allied health services and outreach programs;  children’s health services, including services provided in community health centres, home visit and school health programs, paediatric, eyesight, hearing, nursing, counselling, family services and child protection;  drug and alcohol services including ambulatory detoxification, counselling, early intervention, hospital consultation, opioid treatment services, medical support and treatment, community

9 http://nnswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au accessed 23 May 2013

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 49

development, education and training and the diversion into treatment of illicit drug offenders (MERIT) program based in Tweed and Lismore with outreach programs across the region;  mental health services including assessment, counselling and intervention and acute inpatient care at Lismore and Tweed hospitals;  Mullumbimby Birth Centre providing three maternity care models; and  North Coast Public Health which has the following core functions:

- communicable disease surveillance and control; - tuberculosis prevention and control; - immunisation including the school-based immunisation program; - environmental health including tobacco control; - Aboriginal public/environmental health; - public health disaster management; - public health aspects of bio-preparedness; - epidemiology and health informatics; - HIV/AIDS, sexual health and hepatitis C programs.

Figure 47 shows that the Northern NSW LHD has a more beds (276) per 100,000 population than all combined LHDs in NSW (242) although five NSW LHDs have more beds per capita.

Figure 47 – Hospital beds per 100,000 population

All LHDs in NSW Health Annual Report Far West Southern NSW Mid North Coast Murrumbidgee Western NSW Northern NSW Central Coast Nepean Blue Mountains Illawarra Shoalhaven Sydney Northern Sydney South Eastern Sydney Hunter New England Western Sydney South Western Sydney

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 No. beds per 100,000 population

(source NSW Health)

In addition to the public hospitals, the private St Vincent’s in East Lismore and John Flynn in Tugun provide alternative hospital options. Private day surgery centres in Ballina, Tweed Heads and Lismore and a range of smaller clinics throughout our region provide essential “acute, sub-acute, medical, surgical, mental health, and palliative care services” (CHA 2012) to the region’s population.

The North Coast NSW Medicare Local (NCML) is a not-for-profit organisation that was created as part of the Commonwealth’s 2012 health reform package. It was established through a partnership of Hastings

50 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers

Macleay General Practice Network, Tweed Valley General Practice Network, Mid North Coast Division of General Practice, Northern Rivers General Practice Network, North Coast GP Training and the Many Rivers Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance. According to its Strategic Plan 2012-2015, NCML’s vision is “Better Health for North Coast NSW Communities” and to achieve this, its goals include:

 improving access [to Primary Health Care] and reducing inequity;  fostering and advancing an integrated, complementary and mutually supportive health system; and  improving clinical performance, quality & safety.

An early task for the NCML was a needs assessment to develop a plan for after-hours primary care in the region. Towns identified for first round service development include: Tweed Heads-Tweed Coast, Ballina, Lismore and Grafton; and for second round service development: Casino, Maclean, Byron Bay and Murwillumbah. Retirement and aged care facilities With the forecast older population in the Northern Rivers (Table 23) likely to reach 29.2% of the region’s population by 2013, it is likely the demand for retirement and aged care services will remain high in the Northern Rivers.

Table 23 – People aged 65 years and older

2011 2021 2031 LGA No. % of Pop No. % of Pop No. % of Pop Ballina 8,650 21.2 11,000 25.0 13,300 29.3 Byron 4,050 13.2 5,850 18.5 7,700 24.3 Clarence 10,800 21.0 14,400 27.2 17,850 33.2 Valley Kyogle 1,600 17.0 22,250 23.3 2,800 29.6 Lismore 6,300 14.3 8,650 19.0 11,250 24.8 Richmond 4,350 19.2 5,800 24.2 7,200 29.1 Valley Tweed 19,900 22.5 25,600 26.1 31,800 30.5 Northern 55,650 19.3 73,550 24.0 91,900 29.2 Rivers NSW 1,044,300 14.5 1,432,500 17.4 1,861,800 20.3 (source: NSW Dept. of Planning 2013)

The availability of residential care places (Figure 48) seems inadequate for this growing demographic. For example, the data show that the Byron and Lismore LGA’s had higher residential care places per 1,000 people yet these LGAs contain relatively smaller proportions of older people (Table 21). There was larger variation between the LGAs with respect to high care residential places, and the number of residential care places in the Lismore LGA was 11.5% higher than those in the Tweed. Of course, the number of residential care places in the future will also be determined by the success of alternative models to support older people living in the community that service providers such as Feros Care and Uniting Care are currently exploring.

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 51

Figure 48 – Residential care places 2011

60 50 High Level 40 Care 30 Low 20 Level 10 Places Places per1,000 People Care 0

LGA / NSW

(source: PHIDU 2012)

Community, cultural, sport and recreation Arts Northern Rivers has recently identified a total of 192 facilities for arts and cultural purposes. These include the three regional galleries located in Tweed, Lismore and Grafton and more than 20 volunteer-run community museums and historical societies across the region. There are no subsidised artist’s studios in the region (Table24). A study in 2008 identified that many of the venues and facilities in the region are used for more than one purpose.

Although with the exception of the Lismore City Hall, there are no major purpose-built performing arts centres in the region, but a number of public venues are used as theatres. There are also a number of significant and high profile festivals held in the region including: The Byron Bay Writers’ Festival, Byron Bluesfest, Lismore Lantern Parade, Mullumbimby Music Festival, Splendour in the Grass, Tropical Fruits New Year Festival and the Byron Bay International Film Festival.

Table 24 – Cultural venues by purpose

Venue Type Total Venues

Performance venues 54 Exhibition spaces / galleries 54 Community halls and RSL’s 37 Museums 22 Libraries 17 Outdoor spaces 8 TOTAL 192 (source: Positive Solutions 2008)

Table 25 shows that in 2008 there were 160 arts organisations across the region, with most of these in the Clarence Valley (42), Lismore (34) and Ballina (31).

52 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers

Table 25 – Arts organisations by LGA

LGA Number Ballina 31 Byron 22 Clarence Valley 42 Kyogle 7 Lismore 34 Richmond Valley 10 Tweed 14 TOTAL 160 (source: Positive Solutions 2008)

Recreational opportunities in the Northern Rivers are varied and are supported by sporting clubs for Australian Rules, rugby, soccer, netball, surfing, shooting, archery, fishing, boating, swimming and equestrian activities. The infrastructure to support these activities includes 151 council sporting fields and pools (Table 26).

Table 26 – Sports infrastructure by LGA

LGA Sports Fields Swimming Pools

Ballina 14 2 Byron 19 2 Clarence Valley 36 6 Kyogle 2 1 Lismore 38 3 Richmond Valley 8 4 Tweed 34 3 TOTAL 151 21 Source: Northern Rivers Councils [websites]

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 53

ECONOMIC PROFILE

Employment As Figure 49 indicates, compared with the rest of NSW, the Northern Rivers has higher proportions of people employed in community and personal services (12.5% NR versus 9.7% NSW); sales workers (12.0% NR versus 9.5% NSW) and labourers (11.3% NR versus 8.7% NSW) and lower proportions of people employed in professional (19.3% NR versus 23.3% NSW) and clerical occupations (13.3% NR versus 15.4% NSW).

Figure 49 – Employment by occupation 2011

25.0% Northern Rivers NSW

20.0%

15.0%

10.0%

% working population 5.0%

0.0% Managers Professionals Technicians Community Clerical and Sales Workers Machinery Labourers and Trades and Personal Administrative Operators and Workers Service Workers Drivers Workers Occupation

Place of work population (source ABS 2012)

According to the Census of Population and Housing, in 2011 there were 90,817 jobs in the Northern Rivers. Figure 50 shows the region’s jobs profile is dominated by the services sector, namely health care and social assistance (17.1% NR versus 12.4% NSW), retail trade (15.0% NR versus 11.1% NSW), education and training (10.5% NR versus 8.5% NSW) and accommodation and food services (10.0% NR versus 7.2% NSW). Other industries which account for a large share of the region’s employment include manufacturing (7.6%) and construction (6.5%).

The mining sector employed the smallest proportion of people in the region (0.2%) and there were also low rates of employment in the following sectors:  electricity, water and gas (1.0% NR versus 1.2% NSW);  information, media and telecommunications (1.3% NR versus 2.5% NSW) ;  financial and insurance services (2.0% NR versus 5.4% NSW); and  professional, scientific and technical services (4.8% NR versus 8.4% NSW).

54 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers

Figure 50 – Employment by industry 2011

18.0

16.0 Northern Rivers NSW 14.0 12.0 10.0 8.0 6.0 4.0 % Population of Working 2.0 0.0

Industry

A closer look at the profile of the working population in each Northern Rivers LGA reveals some points of difference:  The strong visitor economy profile of Byron Shire is reflected in the prominence of the accommodation, food service and retail which, combined, account for 31% of employment by industry.  In Kyogle agriculture, forestry and fishing account for 22% of employment, while in the Richmond Valley, where the Casino meatworks is a large employer, manufacturing accounts for 20% of total employment, of which 75% is attributed to food manufacturing.  Reflecting their roles as service centres, there are a high proportion of jobs in education and training in Lismore (13%) and Ballina (10%). Health care and social assistance accounts for 23% of employment in Lismore and 19% of total employment in Tweed.

Employment trends Between 2006 and 2011 the region experienced some changes in the labour market. Figure 51 illustrates growth between 2001 and 2011 in:  health care and social assistance (3.9% increase in the number of employees);  education and training sector (+0.6%);  accommodation and food services (+0.5%).

During this period, employment in retail trade, agriculture and manufacturing declined by 5.0%, 3.2% and 1.7% respectively. Between 2001 and 2006 construction and public administration and safety showed strong growth (RDA-NR, 2009) however both these sectors showed a decline between 2006 and 2011.

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 55

Figure 51 – Employment by Industry 2001, 2006 and 2011

5 % of Working Population 0

2001 2006 2011

Place of work population (source: ABS 2001, ABS 2006 and ABS 2012)

Recruitment rates calculated by DEEWR (2012b) provide another indication of local employment trends. Since March 2010 these rates have fallen in the Richmond-Tweed and Clarence Valley areas and they were lower in comparison to other all regions surveyed to March 2012. There was also a large decrease in the proportion of employers recruiting to increase staff numbers, and a larger proportion of employers recruiting simply to replace staff.

The region experiences significant commuting flows to South East Queensland (SEQ), represented by 6,327 residents from the Tweed LGA and 278 other residents from Lismore, Casino and Ballina surrounds regularly commuting to SEQ for employment (BITRE 2013).

Business profile Figure 52 shows that, of the total number of businesses in the Northern Rivers in 2012, 64.2% were non- employing (compared to 59.3% for NSW), 21.6% employed 1-4 people (26.2% for NSW) and just 14.2% of businesses employed five or more staff (14.5% for NSW). At 74.5%, Kyogle had the largest average number of businesses who did not employ staff in 2012.

56 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers

Figure 52 – Businesses by number of employees 2012

80% 70%

60% 50% 40% 30%

% total businesses 20% 10% 0% Ballina Byron Clarence Kyogle Lismore Richmond Tweed Northern NSW Valley Valley Rivers

Non employing 1-4 employees 5-19 employees 20 or more employees

(source: ABS 2013b)

Figure 53 shows that agriculture, forestry and fishing account for the highest number of businesses in our region at 4,866 or 18.7% of all businesses (vs. 8.7% in NSW). This is followed by construction at 4,289 or 16.5% (14.9% NSW); rental, hiring and real estate services at 2,347 or 9.0% (10.6 NSW); and professional, scientific and technical services at 2,144 or 8.3% (12.7% NSW). This differs significantly from the region’s employment profile (Figure 50 above), in which the majority of people are employed in health care and social assistance (17.1%); retail trade (15.0%); education and training (10.5%); and accommodation and food services (10.0%).

Figure 53 – Businesses by industry sector 2012

20% 18%

16% Northern Rivers NSW 14% 12% 10% 8% 6%

% total businesses 4% 2% 0%

Industry sector (source: ABS 2013b)

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 57

Between 2007 and 2011, the total number of businesses in the Northern Rivers decreased by 975 from 29,454 to 28,479. Of these, 408 (41.8%) were in the Tweed (Figure 54) which has the most businesses in the region of any LGA. The Clarence Valley and Lismore LGAs also had significant business exits at 22.4% and 21.1% respectively. There was growth in the number of businesses in Byron Shire (45 new businesses) and while Kyogle has the fewest businesses in the region, the sector was stable there with only six business exits.

Figure 54 – Number of businesses 2007-2011

8000

7000

6000 Ballina 5000 Byron 4000 Clarence Valley

3000 Kyogle

2000 Lismore Numberof Businesses Richmond Valley 1000 Tweed 0 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Year

(source: ABS 2012b)

Figure 55 shows that the number of employees within businesses has remained fairly stable. Between 2007 and 2011, non-employing businesses showed a slight increase (1.0%), while businesses with 1-4 employees decreased by 0.8% and those with five or more employees decreased by 0.3%.

Figure 55 – Businesses by employment size 2007-2011

50 Non-employing businesses 40 Employing businesses: 1-4 30 employees

% of total businesses Employing businesses: 5 or more employees 10

0 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Year

(source: ABS 2012b)

58 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers

Industry location quotients / specialisations Location quotient analysis is a useful indicator of the Northern Rivers’ inter-regional export propensity and competitiveness or relative specialisation compared to the rest of non-metropolitan New South Wales. The location quotient is derived by comparing the proportion of jobs in each industry sector in the region with the proportion of jobs in the same sector in the rest of non-metropolitan NSW. A location quotient greater than 1.0 indicates an over-representation of jobs in that sector, suggesting the proportion of those jobs that is being generated by export (non-local) demand.

Comparing the Northern Rivers to the non-metropolitan NSW averages, it is evident the region’s industry specialisations are in the community services sectors, notably, health care and social assistance and education and training (Figure 56). The region also displays relative specialisations in the personal services sectors, including rental, hiring and real estate services, retail trade and accommodation and food services. The Northern Rivers also has a relative specialisation in the information, media and telecommunications sector.

Figure 56 – Location quotient by industry 2011

1.60

1.40

1.20

1.00

0.80

0.60

Location Quotient Location 0.40

0.20

0.00

Industry Sector Place of work population (source: ABS 2001, ABS 2006 and ABS 2012)

A closer look at the region’s industry sub-sectors reveals the Northern Rivers has a diverse mix of industry specialisations. Figure 57 shows employment location quotients by industry at a finer-grain level by using the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ 2-digit ANZSIC industry classifications. These are ‘sub-sectors’ of the standard and more broadly-defined industries referred to earlier. Figure 58 only shows those industry sub-sectors with a high location quotient of 1.3 or higher. They include a mix of industry activities across the manufacturing, retail, personal services and community services sectors, particularly health-related services including hospitals, medical and other health care services and residential care services.

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 59

The region shows a relative specialisation across a diversity of manufacturing activities including wood product manufacturing and textiles, clothing and footwear production. The strength of the region’s agriculture and food production sector is evident in the high location quotient of 1.57 for food product manufacturing.

The Northern Rivers’ creative industries sector is well-represented by the publishing industry with a high location quotient of 1.43, while the region’s creative and performing arts activities sub-sector also displays a high location quotient (1.28) relative to non-metropolitan NSW.

Figure 57 – Location quotient by industry sub-sectors 2011

2.50

2.00

1.50

1.00

Location Quotient Location 0.50

0.00

Industry Sub-sector

Place of work population (source: ABS 2001, ABS 2006 and ABS 2012) Industry growth and share To understand how the Northern Rivers industry sectors are performing, a comparison of relative size, growth and employment share can be used to create the growth-share matrix in Figure 58. This highlights how each of the Northern Rivers’ industry sectors (as defined by the ABS 1-digit ANZSIC classifications) differs from the rest of non-metropolitan New South Wales in terms of relative size, growth and employment share. Stages shown in the matrix are as follows:

 expanding: Industries in the top right quadrant have high average annual growth and/or higher than average concentration as defined by the industry’s location quotient. This is excellent news, implying a strong, adaptive industry sector.  emerging: Industries in the lower right quadrant have high average annual growth/below average concentration but this is also good news, implying an emerging, growing industry that may mature with assistance.  transforming: Industries in the upper left quadrant have lower than average annual growth/above average concentration, which is not good news, implying the industry is at risk (overall) and needs to increase innovation and productivity to compete with other regions.

60 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers

 seed or transitioning: Industries in the lower left quadrant have lower than average annual growth/lower than average concentration, which could imply that the industry is neither developed nor growing in the region. It could also mean it is a ‘seed’ industry with some potential for growth.

Figure 58 illustrates where selected industry sectors in the Northern Rivers sit with respect to their rate of employment growth between 2006 and 2011 and their level of specialisation as indicated by their location quotient. The dominant industry sectors in the region (those that are growing and demonstrate a high level of specialisation relative to non-metropolitan New South Wales, and which drive the region’s economic prosperity) include:  health care and social assistance;  education and training;  retail trade; and  accommodation and food services.

Figure 58 – Industry growth and share 2006 - 2011 1.8

1.6 Health care & Retail trade social assistance 1.4 Info Accommodation media & & food services 1.2 telecomms Education & training Arts & Agriculture 1.0 recreation services Professional Financial services 0.8 & Manufacturing insurance services 0.6

0.4 Construction

0.2 Mining 0.0 -2.0% 0.0% 2.0% 4.0% 6.0% 8.0% 10.0% Relative Average Annual Growth Rate 2006 - 2011

Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing, Working Population Profile, 2006 and 2011 with interpretations by SC Lennon & Associates

The Northern Rivers also has some emerging or potential new drivers of prosperity (those industries that are expanding) including professional, scientific and technical services and the financial and insurance services sector.

The region’s construction sector, despite showing a relative lack of specialisation compared to the non-metropolitan New South Wales average, demonstrated a strong rate of employment growth during the five year period to 2011. Although the region’s agriculture and manufacturing sectors are relatively large sectors in employment terms, they demonstrate a relative lack of specialisation in the region compared to non-metropolitan NSW. Nevertheless, their positive rate of employment growth indicates these sectors have been performing well.

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 61

Despite its small size, the region’s arts and recreation services sector displays a positive location quotient and a relatively high rate of employment growth, suggesting the industry is in an ‘emerging’ stage of development with potential for continued growth.

Gross regional product The largest contributors to the region’s gross regional product (GRP) shown in Table 27 are manufacturing (8.9%), health care and social assistance (8.5%), financial and insurance services (7.1%), retail trade (6.7%) and education and training (6.6%). Mining (0.5%), arts and recreation services (0.9%) and utility services (1.9%) were the smallest contributors.

Table 27 – Gross regional product 2009-2010

Northern Rivers NSW Industry 2009/10 ($m) % of total 2009/10 ($m) % of total Agriculture, forestry & fishing 566.1 5.1 8,569 2.0 Mining 54.8 0.5 12,636 2.9 Manufacturing 988.2 8.9 35,376 8.1 Electricity, gas, water & waste services 214.9 1.9 10,600 2.4 Construction 505.9 4.6 21,855 5.0 Wholesale trade 455.3 4.1 18,275 4.2 Retail trade 738.1 6.7 16,930 3.9 Accommodation & food services 441.7 4.0 11,671 2.7 Transport, postal & warehousing 397.7 3.6 21,960 5.0 Information, media & telecommunications 364.7 3.3 17,947 4.1 Financial & insurance services 786.3 7.1 60,095 13.7 Rental, hiring & real estate services 332.0 3.0 10,435 2.4 Professional, scientific & technical services 438.9 4.0 29,872 6.8 Administrative & support services 229.3 2.1 12,168 2.8 Public administration & safety 607.7 5.5 19,225 4.4 Education & training 731.7 6.6 19,681 4.5 Health care & social assistance 940.0 8.5 26,302 6.0 Arts & recreation services 99.7 0.9 3,910 0.9 Other services 229.5 2.1 8,190 1.9 Non-classifiable industry 98.9 0.9 - - Total Industry Income 9,221.4 83.4 365,697 83.4 Ownership of dwellings 945.0 8.5 37,475 8.5 Taxes less subsidies on production and imports 855.6 7.7 33,932 7.7 Statistical discrepancy 34.0 0.3 1,350 0.3 Gross Regional Product 11,056 100 438,456 100 (source: Lismore 2011)

Differences between our region and the state data include:  financial and insurance services industries contributed 6.6% less;  retail trade industries contributed 2.8% more;

62 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers

 mining industries contributed 1.4% less; and  agriculture, forestry and fishing industries contributed 3.1% more. Regional competitiveness The Regional Australia Institute (RAI) has recently released the [In]Sight framework to provide a measure of the competitiveness of each region in Australia, including metropolitan regions, based on 59 indicators across 10 themes. This is assessed at the LGA and RDA region levels and each RDA region and LGA has been assigned a ranking to indicate their relative competitiveness at a national scale (RAI 2013). There are 55 RDA regions and 560 LGAs.

Table 28 highlights that the Northern Rivers is in the top ten most competitive regions in the national RDA rankings for the themes of natural resources (4th), business sophistication (5th) and infrastructure and essential services (10th). The indicators contributing to these strengths include:  high levels of net primary productivity, based on the rate at which all plants in an ecosystem produce net useful chemical energy (ranking 2nd) and national parks, based on distance to national parks from major regional centres (ranking 5th) for the natural resources theme;  high average value of exports per business (ranking 2nd) and less dominance of large employers (ranking 5th) for the business sophistication theme; and  access to allied health services (based on proportion of workforce employed in health services) and general practitioner (GP) services based on number of GP services per 100,000 residents, with RDA regional ranking at 3rd and 9th respectively.

Table 28 – National competitiveness rankings

National Rankings: By RDA By LGA

Northern Clarence Richmond Theme Ballina Byron Kyogle Lismore Tweed Rivers Valley Valley

Natural resources 4 243 63 118 135 39 80 328 Institutions 32 168 425 129 244 257 277 345 Infrastructure and 10 62 127 151 227 23 168 83 essential services Economic fundamentals 19 334 263 386 477 387 374 292 Human capital 20 119 105 269 372 104 339 151 Technological readiness 32 166 147 264 327 160 342 197 Labour market efficiency 53 350 470 513 510 490 520 482 Business sophistication 5 95 46 370 395 216 491 187 Innovation 27 207 175 277 302 118 274 213 Market size 23 207 207 451 207 207 207 207 NB the National RDA rankings are out of 55, LGA rankings out of 550 (source: RAI 2013)

The region is least competitive on the labour market efficiency theme, which is largely due to our high unemployment rate, high youth unemployment, low workforce participation and levels of welfare dependence. It is also interesting that two Northern Rivers LGAs are ranked in the top 10% of all LGAs. Lismore is ranked at 39th for natural resources and Byron Shire at 46th for business sophistication.

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 63

ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILE

Climate In the Northern Rivers the combination of climate, rainfall and fertile basaltic soils form the foundation for the region’s environmental values (NSW Department of Planning 2006). The general climatic conditions include typical sub-tropical patterns of hot, wet summers along the coastal areas; a sub-humid climate on the slopes and a more temperate pattern with warm summers in the western areas. A ‘montane’ climate (colder winters with frosts) occurs in a small area in the southwest of the bioregion at higher elevations. Summers in our region are relatively warm, winters cool to mild, and rainfall is heaviest between November and April (Table 29).

Table 29 – Climate data: North Coast Bioregion

Climate Variable Measurement

Mean annual temperature 8-20°C

Minimum average monthly temperature -2.8-9.8°C

Maximum average monthly temperature 20.3-30.9°C

Mean annual rainfall 607-2912mm

Minimum average monthly rainfall 30-99mm

Maximum average monthly rainfall 76-499mm

(source: NSW Department of Environment and Heritage 2011b)

The Northern Rivers Catchment Management Area (NRCMA) is a major source of data but it needs to be noted that the catchment boundary for the NRCMA extends beyond the boundaries of the Northern Rivers to areas of the Mid North Coast region to the south and Northern Inland to the west (Figure 59).

64 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers

Figure 59 – Northern Rivers Catchment Management Area

The regional boundary is marked in black, major rivers in blue (source: Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW 2010)

Cultural heritage Cultural heritage in our region is comprised of living stories and connections to the past, including places, natural resources, objects, customs and traditions that individuals and communities have inherited and wish to conserve for current and future generations (NSW Environment and Heritage 2012).

Table 30 lists the Declared Aboriginal Places10 in the Northern Rivers, which have Indigenous cultural heritage values in one or more of the following categories:

 sacred site: a place of spiritual and/or ceremonial importance for Aboriginal people;  burial ground: a place containing one or more Aboriginal graves;  settlement: a place where Aboriginal people lived during the period after 1788 (e.g. mission); and  other places, including resource sites and gathering places.

10 NB these places do not account for all places or cultural heritage that are significant to Indigenous people

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 65

Table 30 – Declared Aboriginal places

Local Aboriginal LGA Aboriginal land Description of site place name council

Capeen Mountain is a Juribihl (spiritual) site, which means that it is Capeen Kyogle Muli Muli associated with an increased spirit (associated with the availability of Mountain plant and animal species) or an ancestor's spirit.

Casino Bora Ground is a sacred men's site because it was used for men's initiation ceremonies. It originally consisted of a large mud- Casino Bora Richmond Casino- walled ring connected by a narrow path to a smaller ring. The rings Ground Valley Boolangle were almost perfect circles, and a large up-turned tree trunk stood in the centre of the larger ring. The site for the Bora ground was carefully chosen because important ceremonies were held there.

Cocked Hat Cocked Hat Rocks (part of the Broken Head Nature Reserve) are Byron Jali Rocks natural features that are part of a Dreaming story.

Cubawee was a self-managed Aboriginal settlement from the 1930s to the 1960s. Cubawee holds a special place in the memories of Cubawee Lismore Ngulingah Aboriginal people who lived there and their descendants. It is also an important site of Aboriginal resistance.

The graves of three Ngulloongara (clever medicine) men of the Clarence Grafton- Nymboida Gumbaynggirr Aboriginal people are located at Nymboida Aboriginal Valley Ngerrie Place.

Parrots Nest Aboriginal Place is a Djurbi (Juribihl) – sacred site – of the Goorumbil people, a subgroup of the Widjabul people. This is Parrots Nest Lismore Ngulingah distinctive because it is a protective site for other sacred places in the area.

Ti Tree (Taylor's) Lake Aboriginal Place is a sacred place for Aboriginal Ti Tree women. It is an important mythological site for the traditional Arakwal (Taylor's) Byron Jali Aboriginal people and descendants of the larger Bundjalung Aboriginal Lake Nation. Local Aboriginal women look after the lake for future generations.

Ukerebagh Island is a former Aboriginal settlement and reserve. From the 1920s to the 1960s, Ukerebagh Island was home to Aboriginal people of the traditional Minjungbal Aboriginal Nation as well as other Ukerabagh Tweed Tweed/Byron Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who had come to work in Island the Tweed area. The settlement created a sense of community for all Aboriginal people and provided an isolated environment in which children could be taught about their culture.

Yabbra Yabbra Spring Aboriginal Place is an important spiritual site for the Kyogle Muli Muli Spring Githabul Aboriginal people.

(source: NSW Environment and Heritage 2012a)

66 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers

Non-Indigenous cultural heritage examples published by NSW Environment and Heritage (2012b) include:

 lighthouses: which protected ships and sailors from maritime dangers (i.e. shoals, headlands, bars and reefs) during early trade and shipping. Of particular note are the cultural heritage value of lighthouses at Byron Bay, Ballina and Yamba  workers cottages: a row of four vernacular cottages fronting the Bruxner Highway at Wollongbar demonstrate the standard of farming accommodation provided to employees during the 19th Century  railway infrastructure: associated with the north coast rail line, e.g. Murwillumbah railway station and yard constructed in the 1920's from pre-cast concrete, the predominant material of the period  government buildings: such as police stations, court houses and post offices add character to many towns across our region. The Woodenbong Police Station and Official Residence for example are socially and historically significant due to long service, and the nearby Grave of Constable John Woods is a historic record of a notable individual.

Biodiversity The region is one of Australia's most diverse – it is the most biologically diverse area in New South Wales and southern Queensland. It is the third most biologically diverse region in Australia and the NRCMA region includes 448 threatened species with 16 critically endangered, five extinct, five endangered populations, 185 endangered species, and 18 ecologically endangered communities listed under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (NRCMA 2012). Table 31 identifies the threatened species for the region’s flora, fauna and aquatic species.

Table 31 – Number and status of threatened species

Clarence Richmond Category of Threat Ballina Byron Kyogle Lismore Tweed Valley Valley

Endangered 78 81 89 95 77 94 69

Extinct 2 1 1 0 1 0 0

Critically Endangered 1 1 1 1 1 1 0

FLORA Vulnerable 55 55 62 58 55 58 38

Endangered Population 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total Flora 136 138 153 154 134 153 107

Endangered 31 31 36 29 25 33 29

Extinct 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Critically Endangered 6 6 7 6 6 6 6

Vulnerable 108 107 112 83 87 108 102

FAUNA Endangered Population 1 2 2 1 1 1 1

Endangered Ecological 10 11 17 13 10 13 11 Community

Total Fauna 156 157 174 132 129 161 149

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 67

Clarence Richmond Category of Threat Ballina Byron Kyogle Lismore Tweed Valley Valley

Extinct 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Critically Endangered 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 SPECIES

Endangered 0 0 1 0 0 1 0

Vulnerable 2 2 2 0 0 2 2 AQUATIC

Marine Flora Critically 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Endangered FISH/ Total Fish/Aquatic Species 3 3 4 0 0 4 3

TOTAL ALL SPECIES 295 298 331 286 263 318 259

Key Threatening Processes 34 34 35 32 32 34 34 Aquatic Key 6 6 6 5 5 6 6 Threatening Processes

(Source: NRCMA 2012)

Significant habitats in the region include subtropical rainforest, wet sclerophyll forest, mountain headlands, rocky outcrops and transition zones between forests. The region is also home to a number of significant sites including the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves (CERRA) World Heritage Area (Gondwana Rainforests of Australia), Ramsar Wetlands and a number of nationally important wetlands. Two Interim Biographic Regionalisation of Australia (IBRA) Bioregions occur here including most of the North Coast bioregion and the eastern interface of the New England Tablelands bioregion.

These habitats support a variety of bird and macropod species. Many are rare or threatened: the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly, Fleay's Frog, Hastings River Mouse, Long-nosed Potoroo, Spotted-tailed Quoll, Eastern Bristle Bird, Rufous Scrub-bird and the critically endangered Coxen's Fig parrot.

The Northern Rivers also includes the NSW component of the Border Ranges biodiversity hotspot, a nationally recognised region that supports largely intact natural ecosystems where native species and communities associated with rainforest ecosystems are well represented.

However, despite being one of the most diverse regions in NSW (NSW Department Environment and Heritage 2011), biodiversity assessments undertaken in the Northern Rivers Catchment Region11 indicated some aspects of our environment are under pressure. The Regional State of the Environment report (NRCMA 2012) notes the current condition of the region’s biodiversity and vegetation and the pressures affecting it. In the NRCMA region 21.8% of vegetation is classified as relatively natural and undisturbed and 40.4% as relatively intact with some disturbance. The remaining 37.9% is significantly altered, replaced or removed. These statistics give the catchment area a ‘fair’ rating for vegetation condition, which is the same for NSW as a whole.

11 The boundaries applicable to the Department’s assessment contain a larger area than the seven LGAs which form the basis of this profile. The catchment region is located on the east coast of NSW – from the Camden Haven River in the south to the Queensland border in the north, and west to the northern tablelands, as well as three nautical miles out to sea. The region also includes the Lord Howe Island group in the Pacific Ocean.

68 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers

Figure 60 shows that individual LGA’s within the Northern Rivers vary significantly on extant (current existing) vegetation. The Clarence and Richmond Valleys contain the greatest proportions of vegetation while Ballina LGA has the lowest.

Figure 60 – Extant vegetation

80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 -

Proportionof Extand Vegetation (%) Ballina Byron Clarence Kyogle Lismore Richmond Tweed Valley Valley LGA (source: NRCMA 2012)

The greatest pressure on vegetation is the fragmentation of vegetation and land clearing. As shown in Figure 60, Ballina, Byron and Lismore LGAs have been subject to more historical clearing, primarily during the period from the 1860s to the early 1900s. Remnants of native vegetation are protected in nature reserves, but are still considered vulnerable due to their small size and fragmentation.

The NRCMA has a suite of plans and strategies at the state and local level for restoration of native vegetation that are supported by a range of organisations, individuals and volunteers including 483 Landcare groups. Figure 61 highlights significant areas of habitat restoration in the Tweed, but limited efforts in the Richmond Valley and Kyogle in 2011-12.

Figure 61 – Habitat restoration 2011-2012

300

250

200

150

100 Area Restored(ha) 50

LGA (source: NRCMA 2012)

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 69

Other pressures affecting the native vegetation of the NRCMA region include invasive species, weeds and vertebrate pests. While having some of the highest biodiversity, the region also has high numbers of invasive species. In 2011-12, more than 1,000 high risk weed sites were identified in the region with 111Ha treated under a Weeds Action Plan (NRCMA 2012).

Vertebrate pests within the NRCMA region include cane toads, pigs, horses, foxes, dogs, deer and cats. Invasive threats to the waterways include the Eastern Gambusia (mosquito fish), carp, redfin, banded grunter and goldfish. Each Council has a program or service to assist pest control within the Northern Rivers. Protected areas In comparison to other areas in NSW, a large number of terrestrial and marine environments in the Northern Rivers are protected (Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Populations and Communities 2010). In fact, 14.1% of all protected areas in NSW are located in the Northern Rivers. Table 32 indicates how the North Coast compares to other regions in NSW in terms of its terrestrial protected areas.

Table 32 – Protected terrestrial areas in NSW by region

Area protected as a Region Area Protected percentage of total land in region

Australian Alps 376,422 81.82% Brigalow Belt South 453,196 8.04% Broken Hill Complex 74,969 1.97% Channel Country 206,545 8.84% Cobar Peneplain 177,884 2.41% Darling Riverine Plains 158,923 1.69% Mulga Lands 233,954 3.55% Murray Darling Depression 630,314 7.94% Nandewar 68,930 3.33% New England Tablelands 260,757 9.13% NSW North Coast 978,749 24.50% NSW South Western Slopes 154,927 1.89% Riverina 130,350 1.85% Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields 118,705 11.10% South East Corner 503,233 43.40% South Eastern Highlands 702,346 14.88% South Eastern Queensland12 224,388 13.56% Sydney Basin 1,457,559 38.26% Total 6,912,151 8.63% (source: Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Populations and Communities 2010)

12 Parts of this region are located in both NSW and QLD.

70 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers

Tables 33 and 34 list the region’s protected areas, including National Parks, Nature Reserves and State Conservation Areas. In addition to these parks and reserves there are four flora reserves (Glenugie Peak, Pyrocarpa, Selection Flat and Wells Crossing) with a combined area of 585.4 hectares, that are part of the network of protected terrestrial areas in the Northern Rivers. The Cape Byron Marine Park (22,076Ha) and the Solitary Islands Marine Park (71,000Ha) are the protected marine environments in the region.

Table 33 – National Parks and Nature Reserves

Area Area Nature Area Nature Area National Park Nature Reserve (Ha) (Ha) Reserve (Ha) Reserve (Ha)

Andrew Johnston Arakwal 185.86 20.67 Hayters Hill 7.6 Susan Island 18.12 Big Scrub

Tabbimoble Border Ranges 31,648.89 Ballina 665.23 Hogarth Range 848.84 1072.53 Swamp

Broadwater 4,058.27 Billinudgel 780.29 Iluka 135.84 Tallawudjah 1248.06

Bundjalung 21,128.95 Boatharbour 26.98 Inner Pocket 234.15 Tuckean 1033

Bungawalbin 3,711.26 Broken Head 101.73 Koukandowie 1282.3 Tucki Tucki 4.47

Tweed Goonengerry 435.52 Brunswick Heads 227.3 Limpinwood 2,765.85 63.73 Estuary

Little Pimlico Mallanganee 1,134.82 Bungabbee 169.26 5.74 Tyagarah 871.87 Island

Mebbin 3,775.52 Bungawalbin 464.28 Marshalls Creek 140.09 Ukerebagh 119.68

2,829. Mooball 11,53.95 Captains Creek Moore Park 12.86 Uralba 155.43 15

Mount Pikapene 2,611.79 Chambigne 799.45 Mororo Creek 79.32 Victoria Park 17.33

Warragai Mount Warning 2,610.91 Chapmans Peak 71.57 Mount Neville 6548.89 181.44 Creek

Nightcap 8,013.81 Clarence Estuary 131.62 Mount Nullum 98.68 Wilson 27.41

Muckleewee Woodford Richmond Range 15,720.63 Couchy Creek 216.85 351.94 365.4 Mountain Island

Tooloom 4,375.58 Cudgen 917.62 Munro Island 26.54 Wooyung 86.75

Toonumbar 14,952.48 Cudgera Creek 62.25 North Obelisk 35.95 Yaegl 311.93

Wollumbin 1,662.09 Cumbebin Swamp 39.78 Numinbah 889.51 Yarringully 286.8

Ramornie 3,275.45 Davis Scrub 15.3 Richmond River 251.8

Yabbra 8872.14 Duroby 30.36 Snows Gully 35.19

Yuraygir 36427.1 Hattons Bluff 18.26 Stotts Island 153.23 (source: Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Populations and Communities 2010)

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 71

Table 34 – State conservation areas

State State Conservation Area (Ha) Conservation Area (Ha) Area Area

Banyabba 3,563.08 Kooyong 744.3

Bundjalung 4,877.1 Lawrence Road 441.19

Bungawalbin 1,837.69 Mount Pikapene 16.54

Cape Byron 101.2 Toonumbar 127.5

Chatsworth Hill 512.05 Whian Whian 2,437.98

Corymbia 460.62 Wollumbin 368.64

Everlasting Swamp 457.84 Wombat Creek 1,076.61

Gurranang 113.64 Yarringully 162.27

Jackywalbin 640.58 Yuraygir 3,140.22 (source: Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Populations and Communities 2010)

Water resources Our region is supplied with water from numerous sources administered through various authorities. Tweed Shire Council administers water from the Clarrie Hall Dam on the Tweed River. Rous Water supplies the majority of the towns and villages in and around Lismore, Ballina, Byron and the lower Richmond Valley via Rocky Creek Dam, Emigrant Creek Dam and groundwater from the Alstonville Plateau and Woodburn sand aquifers. A supplementary source is now provided by extractions from medium flow periods in the Wilson River. Kyogle and Casino have separate water schemes supplied from the Richmond River. Wardell is supplied from Marom Creek, Nimbin from Mulgum Creek, and Mullumbimby from Wilson’s Creek, which is within the Brunswick River catchment. Urban water supplies for the Clarence are adequate to meet expected demand to 2031. The Clarence River alone discharges approximately 3.7 million megalitres each year, the highest of all the State’s coastal rivers.

Water resources in our region are heavily influenced by human activities within the catchment area and key land-uses in our region include agriculture, forestry, recreational and commercial ﬁshing, and tourism (NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water 2010). The most current and reliable data regarding the quality of water in our region is summarised in Table 35, but does not provide the state of water quality for the Tweed, Kyogle, and Lismore LGAs (NRCMA 2012). The data that is available provides a comparative assessment of estuarine, lagoon and ocean water quality in some parts of our region. Kolora Lake (Clarence Valley) and Simpsons Creek (Byron Shire) were the only locations deemed to be poor in quality. Most other locations were deemed good or very good and were comparable to neighbouring locations.

72 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers

Table 35 – Water quality

LGA Location Site Type 2010 2011 2012

Shaws Bay East Estuarine Good Good Poor Lake Ainsworth West Lake/Lagoon Good Good Good Shelly Beach Ocean Good Very Good Good Ballina Lighthouse Beach Ocean Very Good Good Good Seven Mile Beach Ocean Very Good Very Good Very Good The Serpentine Estuarine Fair Good Good The Strand Ocean beach Very Good Very Good Very Good South Beach, Brunswick Heads Ocean beach Good Good Good Torakina Beach Estuarine Fair Good Good Simpsons Creek Estuarine Very Poor Poor Poor Belongil Beach Ocean beach Very Good Very Good Very Good Byron Tallow Beach Suffolk Park Ocean beach Very Good Very Good Very Good Tallow Beach Byron Bay Ocean beach Very Good Very Good Very Good Wategos Beach Ocean beach Very Good Very Good Very Good Clarkes Beach Ocean beach Good Very Good Very Good Main Beach Byron Bay Ocean beach Good Very Good Very Good Broken Head Ocean beach - Very Good Very Good Wooli estuary north Estuarine Good Good n/a (police station) Clarence Wooli estuary south Estuarine Good Good n/a Valley (boat ramp) Iluka Bay Estuarine Good Poor n/a Kolora Lake Lagoon/lake Poor Poor n/a Airforce Beach Ocean beach Very Good Very Good Very Good Richmond Main Beach Ocean beach Very Good Very Good Very Good Valley Shark Bay Ocean beach Very Good Very Good Very Good Evans River Estuarine Good Very Good Good (source: NRCMA 2012)

Energy resources Energy in our region is generated in traditional power stations by TransGrid and delivered to consumers by Essential Energy. Two 30MW capacity power plants (Broadwater and Condong) also generate power fuelled by wood waste and bagasse (desiccated sugar cane stalks). Alternative energy sources are not used on a large commercial scale across our region, however there is some capacity for the Northern Rivers to support such supplies. A preliminary bioenergy scoping study for the region has estimated annual energy generation of approximately 1,100 GWh per year, equivalent to approximately 28% of the North Coast region’s annual electricity consumption (Ison et al 2013).

Renewable energy driven by wind turbines is one example of alternative energy used in our region. Although not widespread, the uptake of wind-generated power has been pursued by some farming and agricultural operators. Our region also lends itself to solar energy given the favourable climatic conditions. Although gaining popularity, solar power is yet to become a major energy source for the population.

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 73

In addition to the conventional and renewable resources there is potential for the exploitation of coal seam gas resources, although whether it will be used for domestic supply is still unclear. Coal seam gas proposals has piqued public interest within the region and motivated direct action and widespread criticism from our communities in recent years on the basis of potential risks of environmental damage to productive land and water supplies, negative impact on human health and social nuisance.

Gas: There are currently seven existing Petroleum Exploration Licences (PEL) and four PEL and two Petroleum Special Prospecting (PSP) applications in progress in the Northern Rivers. The PEL 16 area alone, which includes Casino and surrounds, covers a gross area of 830km2 with proven and probable reserves of coal seam gas, with a possible reserve of 1,389 PJ (net)13.

Electricity: Country/Origin Energy has a bulk supply point located at South Casino and has identified the future need for a North Casino Zone Substation with preliminary planning for this investment currently underway. Existing TransGrid feeder lines to Casino stem from a 66 kV line (0893) from Lismore – Casino, a 132 kV line (96L) from Tenterfield – Casino – Lismore. Plans for an upgrade to a 330 kV line from Bonshaw (West of Tenterfield) – Lismore were cancelled in October 2013 because a review found it would not be needed until at least the 2020’s14.

Solar: “With the success of various solar power programs, 8.5% of houses in NSW now use solar power” (NRCMA 2012). Data provided by Essential Energy (NRCMA 2012) show that in the Northern Rivers Catchment Area approximately 128 kW hours per person, generally originating from solar power 15 installations on homes and buildings was fed back to the grid. This resulted in an overall CO2e abatement of 110 kilograms per person for the reporting region (Table 36).

Table 36 – Renewable energy generated per capita

Total renewable Renewable energy Tonnes CO -e LGA energy produced produced per capita 2 abated per capita (GWh) (kWh)

Ballina 7.0 171.5 0.15 Byron 4.1 133.5 0.12 Clarence Valley 6.7 129.9 0.12 Kyogle 1.2 129.4 0.12 Lismore 5.5 125.1 0.11 Richmond Valley 2.9 127.4 0.11 Tweed 13.0 147.1 0.13 (source: Essential Energy 2012 cited in NRCMA 2012)

Table 37 shows that Northern Rivers has five of the top 10 NSW postcodes with the highest proportion of houses with solar power systems, concentrated in the Ballina, Tweed and Byron LGAs.

13 One petajoule (PJ) is equal to one quadrillion (1015) joules 14 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-29/people-power/5051342 15 Carbon dioxide equivalent

74 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers

Table 37 – Solar installations by postcode

% houses with solar Rank LGA Postcode Suburbs power systems

Ballina 2477 Alstonville, Wardell, 21.20% 2 Wollongbar, Rous, Meerschaum Vale Banora Point, Tweed 3 Tweed 2486 20.0% Heads South, Bilambil Tweed 2484 Murwillumbah 18.4% 6 Ballina 2478 Ballina, Lennox Head 17.3% 8 Tweed / Byron 2483 Brunswick Heads, 16.6% 9 Ocean Shores, Billinudgel (source: Renew Economy 2012)

Other: The Nimbin Community Solar Farm Project is a small scale community-based solar generation which is owned and operated by Nimbin Neighbourhood and Information Centre. The 45kW Solar Farm was installed on the rooftops of six community-owned buildings and generates 61,000 kW/h per annum, which is the equivalent of 23 average households (Rainbow Power Company 2012).

Ballina Shire Council is to commence construction of the new pyrolysis treatment plant to convert organic waste into biochar and electricity. The new technology heats the organic waste without oxygen turning it into biochar and syngas. Biochar is a carbon-based material which can be added to the soil, while Syngas can be used to generate renewable energy and power the plant. The project is expected to be operational by June 2015.

There is a small landfill waste energy plant operated by Tweed Council, which also set up a Solar Community scheme.

Potential renewable sources identified for energy in the Northern Rivers include:

 wind: while potential is lower on the North Coast than further west, there may be potential in some coastal locations (only mapped for Byron Shire);  geothermal: no known high temperature resource, but there is potential for shallow low temperature generation;  wave/current: potential is unknown but likely to be considerable in view of exposure to the Pacific Ocean, the narrow continental shelf, common winter southerly swells and summer sub-cyclonic north swells;  biofuels: considerable potential from existing crops (e.g. sugarcane), wood waste, chicken and piggery feedlot effluent and landfill green waste;  micro-hydro: there is one existing plant (the Nymboida Power Station) and a Dorrigo company has identified considerable potential for smaller-scale plants utilising stream flows from the tablelands towards the coast.

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 75

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Electricity is the predominant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Australia and therefore reducing energy consumption is essential to reducing emissions (NRCMA 2012). Statistics collected by Essential Energy (the primary energy provider in our region) are useful for describing the level of greenhouse gases emitted by activities. Table 38 indicates that energy consumption was fairly consistent across our region with an average of 7.6 tonnes CO2e emitted per person. Clarence Valley LGA recorded the highest amount of emissions per capita (10.2 tonnes) in our region, whilst Ballina recorded the lowest (7.4 tonnes).

Table 38 – Greenhouse gas emissions

Electricity Tonnes CO2-e Total Electricity RDA Region LGA/Locality consumption per emitted Consumption (GWh) capita (KWh) per capita

Northern Rivers Ballina 337 8,277 7.4 Byron 280 9,093 8.2 Clarence Valley 578 11,280 10.2 Kyogle 98 10,266 9.2 Lismore 344 7,771 7 Richmond Valley 200 8,822 7.9 Tweed 743 8,404 7.6 Mid North Coast Bellingen 91 7,081 6.4 Coffs Harbour 495 6,984 6.3 Kempsey 187 6,413 5.8 Nambucca 156 8,114 7.3 Port Macquarie- 546 7,291 6.6 Hastings Entire reporting region 4,058 8,495 7.6 (source: NRCMA 2012)

76 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers

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Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 77

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78 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers

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Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 79

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ACRONYMS

ABS Australian Bureau of Statistics AIDS Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome AIHW Australian Institute of Health and Welfare CEE Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence CERRA Central Eastern Rainforest Area CHA Catholic Health Australia CMA Catchment Management Authority DBCDE Australian Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy DEEWR Australian Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations DRALGAS Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport EDO NSW Environmental Defenders Office ERP Estimated Resident Population GRP Gross Regional Product HIV Human Immunodeficiency Syndrome IBRA Interim Biographic Regionalisation of Australia LGA Local Government Area LHD Local Health District (former Area Health Services) LQ Location quotient NBN National Broadband Network NCAHS North Coast Area Health Service (superseded) NCNSWML North Coast NSW Medicare Local NHD Northern NSW Health District NRCMA Northern Rivers Catchment Management Area NRSDC Northern Rivers Social Development Council RAI Regional Australia Institute RDA-NR Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers RDAF Regional Development Australia Fund PEL Petroleum Exploration Leases PHIDU Public Health Information Development Unit SCU Southern Cross University SEQ South East Queensland

Northern Rivers Regional Profile 2013 81

AUSTRALIAN BUREAU OF STATISTICS POPULATION DEFINITIONS

ABS population definitions are provided here to assist understanding of the various data sets referred to in the Regional Profile.

Estimated Resident Population: “The Estimated Resident Population (ERP) is the official measure of the population of Australia, and is based on the concept of usual residence. It refers to all people, regardless of nationality, citizenship or legal status, who usually live in Australia, with the exception of foreign diplomatic personnel and their families. The ERP includes usual residents who are overseas for less than 12 months and excludes overseas visitors who are in Australia for less than 12 months.” http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/Lookup/2901.0Chapter31702011

Place of Enumeration: “The place of enumeration is the place at which the person is counted i.e. where he/she spent Census Night, which may not be where he/she usually lives. The population count for place of enumeration is a count of every person who spends Census Night in Australia, based on where he/she is counted. It includes people on- board vessels in or between Australian ports or on long-distance trains, buses or aircraft. This count is also known as a de facto population count.

People entering Australia from overseas before midnight on Census Night are counted where they stayed on Census Night. Visitors to Australia are counted regardless of how long they have been in the country or how long they plan to stay. Australian residents in Antarctica are also within the scope of the Census.

People leaving an Australian port for an overseas destination before midnight on Census Night are not counted in the Census. Australian residents out of the country on Census Night, and overseas diplomatic personnel and their families in Australia are out of the scope of the Census.

This type of count provides a snapshot in any given area. Although the Census is timed to attempt to capture the typical situation, holiday resort areas, such as the Gold Coast and snow fields, may show a large enumeration count compared with the usual residence count.” http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/Lookup/2901.0Chapter47002011

Place of Work: “Place of Work data provides information on where a person goes to work [location of the business]. The address of the person's workplace in the week prior to Census Night is coded to a Destination Zone using an index provided by the State Transport Authorities. http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/Lookup/2901.0Chapter47402011

Place of work is more accurate for measuring employment by industry particularly in areas near the region's borders such as the Tweed and parts of Clarence Valley where residents might drive to the Gold Coast or Coffs Harbour to work.

Usual Place of Residence / Place of Usual Residence: “This is the place where a person usually lives. It may, or may not be the place where the person was counted on Census Night. Each person is required to state his/her address of usual residence in Question 8. The count of persons at their usual residence is known as the de jure population count. Census counts compiled on this basis are less likely to be influenced by seasonal factors such as school holidays and snow seasons, and provide information about the usual residents of an area.” http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/Lookup/2901.0Chapter47302011

82 Regional Development Australia – Northern Rivers

Changes and Variances in Population Data – ABS Release The following are excerpts from a release from the ABS regarding changes to previously reported population data www.ausstats.abs.gov.au/ausstats/subscriber.nsf/0/049219605B6696C6CA257BD60010DE36/$File/3235% 20fact%20sheet.pdf)

“In August 2013 the ABS released a new series of official population estimates for each region of Australia. This improved set of information provides a more accurate measure of population across Australia, and a stronger base for estimating population into the future.

After every Australian Census, the official population estimate for each region of the country is recalibrated using Census counts, based on where people usually live. There are three main steps that turn the Census count for an area into a population estimate:

 the number of people missed in the Census (undercount) is estimated, allocated across the regions, and added to the Census count for each region;  Australian residents temporarily overseas on Census night are added to their region of residence; and  because the Census is held in August, a backdating adjustment is made to account for the population change that occurred between Census night and the 30 June reference date.

Population estimates derived this way are called 'rebased' estimates, as the new Census data forms the 'base' for this series.

Final rebased population estimates for Australia's regions for years up to and including 2011 were released by the ABS on 30 August 2013. Updated estimates for 2012 were also released at this time. These rebased estimates supersede all previous versions of estimates produced for the same time periods, and were prepared for all of Australia's official statistical boundary sets, including Local Government Areas. For more information about the final series of 2011 Census-based population estimates, refer to 'Feature Article: Final rebasing of Australia's sub-state population estimates, June 2007 to 2011' in Population by Age and Sex, Regions of Australia, 2012 (cat. no. 3235.0).

In addition to the release of new estimates from the 2011 Census, the ABS has reassessed the way that populations for previous years were derived. For the 2011 Census we improved the estimate of Census undercount, with a major change to the methodology used to derive the undercount. We found that the number of people missed from the Census was not as high as previously thought. This means that the undercount adjustment used to estimate the population from the 2011 Census was significantly lower than for previous Censuses.

Our analysis also determined that too many people were added to the Census counts for previous Censuses (1996, 2001 and 2006). This means that previous population estimates calculated for earlier years were generally higher than they would have been using the new methodology to estimate undercount. We have therefore revised historical data from 1991, to deliver more reliable population levels and to ensure population growth for your region better reflects what we know from other information. This extraordinary, one-off historical data revision process is referred to as 'recasting' the data. The recasting process involved calculating new estimates of undercount for the 1996, 2001 and 2006 Census base points, starting with Australia and the states and territories.”

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