Community, Culture, Arts and Sport Committee Meeting Held on 19/11
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COVID-19 Social and Economic Monitoring Report 26 August 2020 Report highlights Page 2 of 21 Report contents Disclaimer ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4 1. Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... 5 1.1. Purpose of report ............................................................................................................................................. 5 1.2. Purpose of Working Group (Recovery Phase) .................................................................................................. 5 2. Community and social indicators ......................................................................................................................... 6 2.1. Community identified priorities ....................................................................................................................... 6 2.2. Improving community confidence .................................................................................................................... 6 3. Business and Industry ........................................................................................................................................... 7 3.1. Economic change .............................................................................................................................................. 7 3.2. Key sector impacts ............................................................................................................................................ 9 3.3. Tourism sector cluster .................................................................................................................................... 10 3.4. Local business ................................................................................................................................................. 10 3.5. City Events ...................................................................................................................................................... 11 3.6. Performing Arts .............................................................................................................................................. 12 3.7. Sport and Recreation ...................................................................................................................................... 13 4. Employment, education and training ................................................................................................................. 13 4.1. Job change ...................................................................................................................................................... 13 4.2. Employment change and unemployment ...................................................................................................... 14 4.3. Youth unemployment ..................................................................................................................................... 14 4.4. Jobseeker and Youth Allowance ..................................................................................................................... 15 5. Community health, safety and wellbeing ........................................................................................................... 16 5.1. Public health reports of COVID-19 ................................................................................................................. 16 5.2. Physical health and wellbeing ........................................................................................................................ 17 5.3. Household financial stressors ......................................................................................................................... 17 5.4. Mental health and wellbeing .......................................................................................................................... 17 5.5. Community safety ........................................................................................................................................... 18 6. Housing and accommodation ............................................................................................................................. 20 Page 3 of 21 Disclaimer This document is for information purposes only. To the maximum extent permitted by law, council makes no statement, representation, or warranty (including, but not limited to, accuracy, reliability, completeness or fitness for a particular purpose) in relation to any information in this document. This includes information produced by council and/or referred to by council but produced/ maintained by third parties. Council further notes that it has no direct control over changes made to information produced/maintained by third parties (including, but not limited to, third party websites). The user accepts sole responsibility and risk associated with the use of any information in this document, irrespective of the purpose of use. It is recommended that users consider independently verifying any information obtained from this document. To the maximum extent permitted by law, council disclaims all liability (including, but not limited to, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages and costs incurred as a result of the use of the information in this document. Page 4 of 21 1. Introduction 1.1. Purpose of report The purpose of this Social and Economic Monitoring Report is to present Ipswich City Council with the latest available indicators that help to estimate and monitor the broader social and economic impact of COVID-19 in Ipswich. Important: Data presented in this report largely reflect the period from late June to early August 2020 which was a period of eased COVID-19 social restrictions in Queensland. On 22 August 2020 increased restrictions were put in place for people living in the Ipswich Local Government Area, together with neighbouring Local Government Areas listed on the Queensland Health website1. At the time of finalising this report on 26 August 2020, there were 16 active COVID-19 cases across Queensland, including six active cases in the West Moreton Region. As such, data contained within this report relating to community confidence and experience of eased restrictions will not be an accurate reflection of community views in late August. However, they are still provided for the purposes of monitoring change in the social and economic environment for the specified reporting period. This information supports the work of Ipswich City Council’s COVID-19 Human Social & Economic Recovery Working Group as it transitions its focus from immediate response needs to strategies that support social and economic recovery. The report has been structured according to: Community and social indicators Business, industry and employment indicators Education and training indicators Community safety and wellbeing indicators Housing and homelessness indicators The report will continue to be published on a monthly basis or as new data becomes available. Changes to social and economic indicators will be illustrated by the updated infographic accompanying each report. 1.2. Purpose of Working Group (Recovery Phase) Ipswich City Council’s COVID-19 Human Social & Economic Recovery Working Group identifies and monitors the social and economic impacts of COVID-19 in Ipswich, to inform the council’s role in supporting social and economic recovery. Focus areas of the Working Group in the COVID-19 recovery phase: Opportunities to improve social connection, wellbeing and resilience in Ipswich. Remaining responsive to changing needs of local businesses, services and organisations, to support their short-term viability and long-term sustainability. Encouraging economic development and employment (in line with the Qld Government’s Economic Recovery Strategy); Informing the planning and development of social infrastructure to address changes in service capacity or demand. Desired outcomes of the recovery phase will be refined over time in consultation with Ipswich City Council’s Mayor and Councillors, Executive Leadership Team and Working Group members. 1 Queensland Health Movement and Gathering Direction, 22 August 2020 Page 5 of 21 2. Community and social indicators 2.1. Community identified priorities Council insights from the Strengthening Communities engagement program remain consistent with the last reporting period, with key community concerns reported as including: Unemployment and changed employment conditions Financial stress and uncertainty Social isolation and related impacts on mental health Domestic and family violence Community sector viability. Ipswich City Council also continues to liaise with the Department of Housing and Public Works and specialist homelessness services to monitor change to the number of people experiencing homelessness and at-risk of homelessness2. Applications for the COVID-19 Recovery Support Program close on 31 August 2020. Council allocated $300,000 to the Ipswich Community Repair and Replacement Fund and $100,000 to the Ipswich Community Operational Support Fund. It is anticipated that Council will receive approximately 50 applications through these funding streams and a summary of applications, including a breakdown of the categories of applicants, will be available