Suncorp Bank Family Friendly City Report

Suncorp Bank
Family Friendly
City Report
Introduction
Launceston and Canberra have scooped the pool as Australia’s most family friendly cities, bumping Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane to
14th, 23rd and 24th positions respectively, according to a study into the family friendliness of the nation’s 30 largest cities.
The inaugural Suncorp Bank Family Friendly Index shows that half of the top 10 family friendly cities are not state or territory capitals and
instead include the smaller, regional cities of Albury/Wodonga, Toowoomba, and Launceston.
The report finds that crowded, stressful, urban jungles and under serviced Eastern seaboard capitals are being upstaged by regional towns
as the most family friendly cities in Australia.
The inaugural Suncorp Bank Family Friendly City Index monitors the most populated 30 cities in Australia and ranks them according to
which city is the most family friendly across 10 key indicators. The indicators themselves are divided into two categories; Primary and
Secondary. Primary indicators refer to those indicators that have a larger bearing on a city’s ‘livability’, (such as, crime education and
housing) as such these indicators are weighted double that of the secondary indicators.
While the Index analyses indicators such as Education, Crime, Health, Income, Unemployment and Connectivity, some notable omissions
include Environment (climate and weather), Lifestyle (beaches and parks) which have not been included due to their subjective nature and a
lack of consistent data for each of the 30 cities analysed.
Methodology
To derive the rankings for the Suncorp Bank Family Friendly City Index each city was systematically ranked on each of the 10 indicators.
For reasons previously explained the primary indicators received added weight when compiling the index, with each primary indicator worth
double that of a secondary indicator. Each of the indicators raw sources were tallied and then ranked one to thirty, with one being the most
desirable score and thirty being the least. All scores (or ranks) were totalled with the lowest score being given the overall number one rank of
the inaugural Suncorp Bank Family Friendly Index.
A note about data sources
The Suncorp Bank Family Friendly Index is based on measurements gathered through robust government and private sector quantitative
data that is publicly available. The following data sources were used to obtain the index measurements.
Unemployment
• Percentage of the working age population unemployed
• Data sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics
• Sourced from the Social Health Atlas of Australia 2010 http://www.publichealth.gov.au/data/
Income
• Average individual taxable income
• Data from 2010/11
• Sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics
• http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/1301.0~2012~Main%20Features~Household%20income,
%20expenditure%20and%20wealth~193
Connectivity
• % of households with broadband internet connections
• Data sourced from the 2011 census
• http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/censushome.nsf/home/data?opendocument#from-banner=LN
Health 1
• Number of GP services provided over the course of 12 months as a ratio of the population
• Data from 2010/11
• Sourced from the Social Health Atlas of Australia 2010 http://www.publichealth.gov.au/data/ Health 2
• Current long-term condition and reporting either very good or excellent health (self-assessment)
• Data from 2008
• Sourced from the Social Health Atlas of Australia 2010 http://www.publichealth.gov.au/data/ 2
Suncorp Bank
Crime
• Crime rates per 100,000 of population
• Latest available data by state
• Sourced from the ABS, Australian Federal Police, Victorian Police, Queensland Police, Western Australian Police, NSW Bureau of Crime
statistics, SA Office of Crime statistics and research
Education
• Number of school aged children in each city divided by the number of schools
• Data from 2011/212
• Sourced from Australian Bureau of Statistics and www.education.net.au
Child Care
• Number of infants aged 0-4 divided by the number of child care centres
• Data from 2012
• Sourced from http://www.echildcare.com.au/ Housing
• Based on average cost of housing in each city
• Most up-to-date data sourced from 2011 and 2012
• Sourced from www.domain.com.au
Community
• Based on local government data released in October 2012
• Voluntary work for a group or organisation (based on ABS 2011 census data)
• Sourced from the Social Health Atlas of Australia 2011 http://www.publichealth.gov.au/data/
Five primary indicators
Crime
Health 1
Education
Housing
Unemployment
Crime rates divided
by population of
the city
Average number
of GP visits
by population of
the city
Schools in city
region divided by
number of school
age children
Average cost of
house in city
Unemployment
rate of city
Five secondary indicators
Income
Child Care
Health 2
Connectivity
Community
Median weekly
disposable income
Childcare centres
in city divided by
number of children
aged 0-4 years
Self-assessment of
long-term health of
city population
Percentage of
internet broadband
connection in each
home
Percentage of
city population that
volunteer for an
organisation
or group
Family Friendly City Report
3
Suncorp Bank Family Friendly City Index
(Key indicator and overall ranking)
City
(State/
Rank Territory)
Crime Health 1 Education Housing Unemployment Health 2 Income Connectivity Childcare Community Total
1st
Launceston
(TAS)
3
4
1
4
7
15
29
29
6
13
130
2nd
Canberra
(ACT)
29
6
5
28
3
2
1
1
1
1
148
3rd
Toowoomba
(QLD)
16
8
16
6
1
13
14
12
15
8
156
4th
Albury/
Wodonga
(NSW)
19
7
6
3
12
12
21
17
12
7
163
Equal
5th
Adelaide (SA)
1
24
9
20
19
9
10
13
4
9
191
Equal
5th
Perth (WA)
22
12
11
23
6
1
4
4
13
21
191
7th
Hobart (TAS)
4
20
17
11
10
11
30
25
6
4
200
Equal
8th
Darwin (NT)
6
5
26
29
2
21
2
8
17
17
201
Equal
8th
Bunbury (WA)
2
2
28
14
8
7
7
28
27
24
201
10th
Bundaberg
(QLD)
14
11
2
5
24
29
11
27
11
19
209
Equal
11th
Mackay (QLD) 17
16
3
21
5
27
13
10
13
25
212
Equal
11th
Burnie (TAS)
5
1
18
1
29
28
28
30
3
15
212
13th
Mandurah
(WA)
15
9
19
17
16
4
8
16
22
30
232
Equal
14th
Melbourne
(VIC)
13
22
10
27
15
5
9
7
16
22
233
Equal
14th
Wagga
24
Wagga (NSW)
17
21
8
11
8
20
20
21
2
233
Equal
16th
Bendigo (VIC)
10
13
22
9
22
10
25
22
23
5
237
Equal
16th
Townsville
(QLD)
27
3
29
16
4
24
16
11
8
20
237
18th
Newcastle
(NSW)
7
18
7
25
14
22
23
15
9
28
239
19th
Rockhampton 23
(QLD)
10
4
10
23
23
12
23
25
17
240
20th
Sunshine
Coast (QLD)
11
30
15
22
17
19
17
5
4
6
241
21st
Wollongong
(NSW)
9
25
8
19
25
26
22
14
2
22
258
22nd
Ballarat (VIC)
21
15
13
7
30
6
26
24
29
3
260
23rd
Sydney
(NSW)
8
27
12
30
18
14
5
3
24
26
262
24th
Brisbane
(QLD)
28
21
24
26
9
17
3
2
18
11
267
25th
Geelong (VIC)
12
19
27
18
20
3
27
21
26
14
283
26th
Hervey Bay
(QLD)
18
26
20
12
27
30
6
19
10
26
297
27th
Cairns (QLD)
30
14
25
15
26
20
15
9
19
16
299
Equal
28th
Gold Coast
(QLD)
26
23
14
24
13
18
18
6
30
29
301
Equal
28th
LaTrobe
Valley (VIC)
25
28
23
2
21
16
24
26
28
9
301
30th
Coffs Harbour 20
(NSW)
29
30
13
28
25
19
18
20
12
334
Key findings
• Launceston is Australia’s number 1 ‘family friendly’ city, ahead of Canberra
• Of the ‘big three’ Melbourne is ranked 14th, ahead of Sydney (23rd) and Brisbane (24th)
• Queensland is the most family friendly state, with six cities in Australia’s top 20 family friendly
• Tasmanian city of Burnie is Australia’s healthiest city while Launceston enjoys the least crowded schools
• Queensland regional hotspot Toowoomba is the employment capital of Australia
• Adelaide is Australia’s safest city, with the lowest levels of crime
• Canberra is the volunteer capital of Australia with the city’s population clocking up more community work hours than any other city, while
it also wins the childcare and disposable income categories.
4
Suncorp Bank
Crime
In a surprise result Adelaide took out the title of Australia’s safest city, having the lowest crime rate (per 100,000 of the population). The
measurement took into account all criminal activity over a 12 month period, with Western Australia’s Bunbury and Tasmania’s Launceston
rounding out the top three.
Cairns, Canberra and Brisbane had some of the highest recoded criminal activity over the reporting period with more than 10% of the
population experiencing some form of crime, including domestic violence, fraud and sexual assault.
Rank City (State/Territory)
Crime rates (per
100,000 of population
Rank City (State/Territory)
Crime rates (per
100,000 of population
1st
Adelaide (SA)
2,365
16th
Toowoomba (QLD)
8,530
2nd
Bunbury (WA)
2,830
17th
Mackay (QLD)
8,568
3rd
Launceston (TAS)
3,182
18th
Hervey Bay (QLD)
8,845
4th
Hobart (TAS)
3,182
19th
Albury/Wodonga (NSW)
9,188
5th
Burnie (TAS)
3,769
20th
Coffs Harbour (NSW)
9,571
6th
Darwin (NT)
4,606
21th
Ballarat (VIC)
9,711
7th
Newcastle (NSW)
5,025
22th
Perth (WA)
10,047
8th
Sydney (NSW)
5,150
23th
Rockhampton (QLD)
11,436
9th
Wollongong (NSW)
6,323
24th
Wagga Wagga (NSW)
11,712
10th
Bendigo (VIC)
6,438
25th
LaTrobe Valley (VIC)
11,977
11th
Sunshine Coast (QLD)
6,804
26th
Gold Coast (QLD)
12,083
12th
Geelong (VIC)
7,021
27th
Townsville (QLD)
12,768
13th
Melbourne (VIC)
7,865
28th
Brisbane (QLD)
13,205
14th
Bundaberg (QLD)
8,143
29th
Canberra (ACT)
14,593
15th
Mandurah (WA)
8,504
30th
Cairns (QLD)1
15,531
Health 1
The Northern Tasmanian city of Burnie is the healthiest city in Australia with each resident only visiting their doctor on average 1.3 times over
the course of the year. This indicator measured how often the city’s population visited their GP over the course of 12 months with Burnie
bettering Western Australia’s Bunbury, Queensland’s Townsville and fellow Tasmanian city Launceston for the top spot. According to this measure Australia’s unhealthiest city is the Sunshine Coast, where the average resident visits their GP eight times over a
12 month period. Coffs Harbour, Sydney and the La Trobe Valley also featured in the bottom three of Australia’s unhealthiest cities.
Rank
City (State/Territory)
GP visits
per person
1st
Burnie (TAS)
1.3
Equal 16th Mackay (QLD)
4.8
2nd
Bunbury (WA)
2
Equal 16th Wagga Wagga (NSW)
4.8
Equal 3rd
Townsville (QLD)
2.9
18th
5
Equal 3rd
Launceston (TAS)
2.9
19th
Geelong (VIC)
5.1
5th
Darwin (NT)
3.3
20th
Hobart (TAS)
5.3
6th
Canberra (ACT)
3.5
Equal 21st Brisbane (QLD)
5.4
7th
Albury/Wodonga (NSW)
3.8
Equal 21st Melbourne (VIC)
5.4
8th
Toowoomba (QLD)
3.9
23rd
Gold Coast (QLD)
5.5
9th
Mandurah (WA)
4
24th
Adelaide (SA)
5.6
Equal 10th Rockhampton (QLD)
4.3
25th
Wollongong (NSW)
5.9
Equal 10th Bundaberg (QLD)
4.3
26th
Hervey Bay (QLD)
6
12th
Rank
City (State/Territory)
Newcastle (NSW)
GP visits
per person
4.4
Equal 27th Sydney (NSW)
6.1
Equal 13th Bendigo (VIC)
4.5
Equal 27th LaTrobe Valley (VIC)
6.1
Equal 13th Cairns (QLD)
4.5
29th
Coffs Harbour (NSW)
7.1
15
4.6
30th
Sunshine Coast (QLD)
8
Perth (WA)
Ballarat (VIC)
1 It should be noted that the Cairns data includes all crimes recorded in the Cairns Police District, including the Cairns CBD, Cooktown and Weipa.
Family Friendly City Report
5
Education
Launceston school aged children enjoy the title of having the least crowded schools according to the Family Friendly Index. This
indicator measured the number of children in each city (aged 5 through to 19) divided by the number of schools located within a 10km
radius of the city. Queensland regional hubs Bundaberg and Mackay were ranked 2nd and 3rd respectively.
However, another Queensland regional hub Townsville recorded one of the worst results with 1,127 children per school, beaten only by
the NSW regional city of Coffs Harbour which has the most crowded schools in the country with 1,521 kids per school.
Rank
City (State/Territory)
Number of children at
each school (based on
5 to 19 ages)
Rank
City (State/Territory)
Number of children at
each school (based on
5 to 19 ages)
1st
Launceston (TAS)
323
16th
Toowoomba (QLD)
658
2nd
Bundaberg (QLD)
349
17th
Hobart (TAS)
659
3rd
Mackay (QLD)
378
Equal 18th
Burnie (TAS)
663
4th
Rockhampton (QLD)
432
Equal 18th
Mandurah (WA)
663
5th
Canberra (ACT)
450
20th
Hervey Bay (QLD)
694
6th
Albury/Wodonga (NSW)
467
21st
Wagga Wagga (NSW)
715
7th
Newcastle (NSW)
492
22nd
Bendigo (VIC)
750
8th
Wollongong (NSW)
494
23rd
LaTrobe Valley (VIC)
767
9th
Adelaide (SA)
515
24th
Brisbane (QLD)
775
10th
Melbourne (VIC)
542
25th
Cairns (QLD)
856
11th
Perth (WA)
548
26th
Darwin (NT)
978
12th
Sydney (NSW)
563
27th
Geelong (VIC)
1007
13th
Ballarat (VIC)
591
28th
Bunbury (WA)
1070
14th
Gold Coast (QLD)
614
29th
Townsville (QLD)
1127
15th
Sunshine Coast (QLD)
651
30th
Coffs Harbour (NSW)
1521
Housing
With a potential saving of up to $400,000, it is little wonder more Australians are moving to regional cities such as Burnie, the LaTrobe
Valley and Albury-Wodonga. Buying a family home in these areas costs less than half of what you will pay to live in a major capital like
Sydney, which is unsurprisingly the most expensive place to own a house.
Rounding out the most expensive places to live are resource boom hotspot Darwin and home of the national public service sector
Canberra.
Average cost of
a house
Rank
Average cost of
a house
Rank
City (State/Territory)
1st
Burnie (TAS)
$230,000
16th
Townsville (QLD)
$365,000
2nd
LaTrobe Valley (VIC)
$232,000
17th
Mandurah (WA)
$373,000
3rd
Albury/Wodonga (NSW)
$267,000
18th
Geelong (VIC)
$386,000
Equal 4th
Launceston (TAS)
$280,000
19th
Wollongong (NSW)
$397,000
Equal 4th
Bundaberg (QLD)
$280,000
20th
Adelaide (SA)
$405,000
6th
Toowoomba (QLD)
$286,000
21th
Mackay (QLD)
$420,000
7th
Ballarat (VIC)
$300,000
22th
Sunshine Coast (QLD)
$430,000
8th
Wagga Wagga (NSW)
$305,000
Equal 23rd
Perth (WA)
$467,000
9th
Bendigo (VIC)
$311,000
Equal 23rd
Gold Coast (QLD)
$467,000
10th
Rockhampton (QLD)
$320,000
25th
Newcastle (NSW)
$474,000
Equal 11th
Hobart (TAS)
$330,000
26th
Brisbane (QLD)
$505,000
City (State/Territory)
Equal 11th
Hervey Bay (QLD)
$330,000
27th
Melbourne (VIC)
$530,000
13th
Coffs Harbour (NSW)
$335,000
28th
Canberra (ACT)
$545,000
14th
Bunbury (WA)
$340,000
29th
Darwin (NT)
$609,000
15th
Cairns (QLD)
$345,000
30th
Sydney (NSW)
$642,000
6
Suncorp Bank
Unemployment
Queensland’s largest inland city, Toowoomba, recorded the lowest level of unemployment, which may be in part due to the generation
of jobs to help with recovery efforts following the devastating floods in and around the Lockyer Valley in 2011, with the city at 1.9%
unemployment. Darwin (2.1%) and Canberra (2.9%) were the cities with the next lowest unemployment levels.
Ballarat, Burnie and Coffs Harbour recorded the highest unemployment rates on and around 8%, thanks largely to manufacturing
downturns which have crippled regional communities over the past decade.
Rank
City (State/Territory)
Unemployment
Rank
1st
Toowoomba (QLD)
1.90%
2nd
Darwin (NT)
2.10%
City (State/Territory)
Unemployment
16th
Mandurah (WA)
5.10%
17th
Sunshine Coast (QLD)
5.30%
3rd
Canberra (ACT)
2.90%
18th
Sydney (NSW)
5.60%
4th
Townsville (QLD)
3.20%
19th
Adelaide (SA)
5.90%
5th
Mackay (QLD)
3.50%
20th
Geelong (VIC)
6.00%
6th
Perth (WA)
3.70%
21st
LaTrobe Valley (VIC)
6.10%
7th
Launceston (TAS)
3.80%
22nd
Bendigo (VIC)
6.40%
8th
Bunbury (WA)
3.90%
Equal 23rd
Rockhampton (QLD)
6.70%
9th
Brisbane (QLD)
4.00%
Equal 23rd
Bundaberg (QLD)
6.70%
10th
Hobart (TAS)
4.20%
25th
Wollongong (NSW)
6.90%
11th
Wagga Wagga (NSW)
4.50%
26th
Cairns (QLD)
7.20%
Equal 12th
Albury/Wodonga (NSW)
5.00%
27th
Hervey Bay (QLD)
7.50%
Equal 12th
Gold Coast (QLD)
5.00%
28th
Coffs Harbour (NSW)
7.80%
Equal 14th
Newcastle (NSW)
5.10%
Equal 29th
Burnie (TAS)
8.00%
Equal 14th
Melbourne (VIC)
5.10%
Equal 29th
Ballarat (VIC)
8.00%
Health 2
The second health indicator is a self-assessment based on whether the residents of each city consider themselves in excellent or very
good health. While the measurement is subjective, it is nonetheless a worthwhile indicator into how a city’s residents perceive their
health, which can be used as a comparison to the overall population.
Perth is the nation’s healthiest city with 72% of the city’s population considering their long-term health outlook very good or excellent.
Canberra, Geelong and Mandurah are also in good health. Mandurah is the second city in Western Australia in the top three, making
WA the nation’s most healthy state.
Hervey Bay, Bundaberg and Burnie are the nation’s ‘unhealthiest’ with only 60% of the population considering themselves in very good
or excellent health.
Rank
City
Score (%)
Rank
City
Score (%)
1st
Perth (WA)
72
16th
La Trobe Valley (VIC)
67.8
2nd
Canberra (ACT)
71.9
17th
Brisbane (QLD)
67.5
Equal 3rd
Geelong (VIC)
70
18th
Gold Coast (QLD)
67.4
Equal 3rd
Mandurah (WA)
70
19th
Sunshine Coast (QLD)
66.6
5th
Melbourne (VIC)
69.9
Equal 20th
Cairns (QLD)
66.4
6th
Ballarat (VIC)
69.8
Equal 20th
Darwin (NT)
66.4
7th
Bunbury (WA)
69.6
22nd
Newcastle (NSW)
66.2
8th
Wagga Wagga (NSW)
69.5
23rd
Rockhampton (QLD)
66.1
9th
Adelaide (SA)
69.2
24th
Townsville (QLD)
65.7
10th
Bendigo (VIC)
69
25th
Coffs Harbour (NSW)
65.6
11th
Hobart (TAS)
68.8
26th
Wollongong (NSW)
65.5
12th
Albury/Wodonga (NSW)
68.7
27th
Mackay (QLD)
65.1
13th
Toowoomba (QLD)
68.1
28th
Burnie (TAS)
64.8
Equal14th
Sydney (NSW)
67.9
29th
Bundaberg (QLD)
64.2
Equal14th
Launceston (TAS)
67.9
30th
Hervey Bay (QLD)
60.7
Family Friendly City Report
7
Income1
Australia’s capital city Canberra took out the gong for Australia’s wealthiest city, which measured average wages and disposable income
from the 2011 calendar year as recorded by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Canberra, which employs Australia’s most senior
public servants, recorded median weekly disposable income of $1,009 which is more than $52,000 a year, around the cost of a new
family sized sedan.
One of the main themes we wanted to measure was how ‘wealthy’ a city was in terms of its citizens and the contribution they make
to the local economy. It was argued that if a city had more disposable income it’s citizens would have more income to drive the local
economy and hence increase the ‘wealth’ of that city and its contribution to the national economy
The Tasmanian cities of Hobart, Launceston and Burnie recorded the lowest median weekly disposable income $593.
Rank
City (State/Territory)
1st
Canberra (ACT)
2nd
Darwin (NT)
3rd
Brisbane (QLD)
4th
Perth (WA)
Median weekly disposable
income (2011)
Rank
City (State/Territory)
Median weekly disposable
income (2011)
$1,009
Equal 10th
Townsville (QLD)
$670
$895
Equal 10th
Sunshine Coast (QLD)
$670
$783
Equal 10th
Gold Coast (QLD)
$670
$780
Equal 18th
Coffs Harbour (NSW)
$652
5th
Sydney (NSW)
$779
Equal 18th
Wagga Wagga (NSW)
$652
Equal 6th
Bunbury (WA)
$743
Equal 18th
Albury/Wodonga (NSW)
$652
Equal 6th
Mandurah (WA)
$743
Equal 18th
Wollongong (NSW)
$652
8th
Melbourne (VIC)
$732
Equal 18th
Newcastle (NSW)
$652
9th
Adelaide (SA)
$726
Equal 23rd
LaTrobe Valley (VIC)
$610
Equal 10th
Hervey Bay (QLD)
$670
Equal 23rd
Bendigo (VIC)
$610
Equal 10th
Bundaberg (QLD)
$670
Equal 23rd
Ballarat (VIC)
$610
Equal 10th
Rockhampton (QLD)
$670
Equal 23rd
Geelong (VIC)
$610
Equal 10th
Mackay (QLD)
$670
Equal 27th
Burnie (TAS)
$593
Equal 10th
Toowoomba (QLD)
$670
Equal 27th
Launceston (TAS)
$593
Equal 10th
Cairns (QLD)
$670
Equal 27th
Hobart (TAS)
$593
Connectivity
Canberra took out the connectivity indicator, with a massive 78.4% of all households having broadband internet in their home. State
capitals Brisbane (75.10%) and Sydney (73.80%) rounded out the top three.
Again, Tasmania lagged the rest of the country with Burnie (59.80%) and Launceston (61.0%) recording the lowest scores overall.
Rank
City (State/Territory)
Broadband in home (2011)
Rank
City (State/Territory)
Broadband in home (2011)
1st
Canberra (ACT)
78.40%
Equal 14th
Wollongong (NSW)
66.90%
2nd
Brisbane (QLD)
75.10%
17th
Albury/Wodonga (NSW)
66.50%
3rd
Sydney (NSW)
73.80%
Equal 18th
Hervey Bay (QLD)
66.30%
4th
Perth (WA)
73.40%
Equal 18th
Coffs Harbour (NSW)
66.30%
Equal 5th
Gold Coast (QLD)
73.00%
20th
Wagga Wagga (NSW)
66.00%
Equal 5th
Sunshine Coast (QLD)
73.00%
Equal 21st
Bendigo (VIC)
65.50%
7th
Melbourne (VIC)
72.60%
Equal 21st
Geelong (VIC)
65.50%
8th
Darwin (NT)
70.40%
23rd
Rockhampton (QLD)
65.30%
9th
Cairns (QLD)
70.30%
24th
Ballarat (VIC)
65.20%
10th
Mackay (QLD)
69.40%
25th
Hobart (TAS)
64.80%
11th
Townsville (QLD)
69.10%
26th
LaTrobe Valley (VIC)
63.00%
12th
Toowoomba (QLD)
68.10%
27th
Bundaberg (QLD)
62.00%
13th
Adelaide (SA)
67.20%
28th
Bunbury (WA)
61.60%
Equal 14th
Mandurah (WA)
66.90%
29th
Launceston (TAS)
61.00%
Equal 14th
Newcastle (NSW)
66.90%
30th
Burnie (TAS)
59.80%
Due to the unavailability of data for some Australian cities, regional cities within the same state have been given the same disposable income.
1T
he disposable income indicator was used as an important measure to differentiate living in a capital city to a regional city. However, as disposable incomes were not
available for every city measures an aggregate state wide disposable income has been used for regional cities across Australia.
8
Suncorp Bank
Child Care
Canberra infants enjoy the least crowded child care centres and more one-on-one interaction with carers according to the Index.
The indicator looked at the number of infants (aged 0-4 years) in each city and divided that by how many long- and short-term childcare
centres operated in and around the city. Wollongong and Burnie rounded out the top three family friendly childcare cities.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Gold Coast (30th), Ballarat (29th) and the LaTrobe Valley (28th) represented the cities with the
most crowded child care centres in the country, with almost 300 children per child care centre.
Rank
City (State/Territory)
Children per childcare
centre (based on 1 to 4
years)
Rank
City (State/Territory)
Children per childcare
centre (based on 1 to 4
years)
1st
Canberra (ACT)
27
16th
Melbourne (VIC)
106
2nd
Wollongong (NSW)
42
17th
Darwin (NT)
110
3rd
Burnie (TAS)
65
18th
Brisbane (QLD)
116
Equal 4th
Adelaide (SA)
71
19th
Cairns (QLD)
120
Equal 4th
Sunshine Coast (QLD)
71
20th
Coffs Harbour (NSW)
123
Equal 6th
Launceston (TAS)
77
21st
Wagga Wagga (NSW)
125
Equal 6th
Hobart (TAS)
77
22nd
Mandurah (WA)
146
8th
Townsville (QLD)
80
23rd
Bendigo (VIC)
147
9th
Newcastle (NSW)
81
24th
Sydney (NSW)
148
10th
Hervey Bay (QLD)
88
25th
Rockhampton (QLD)
154
11th
Bundaberg (QLD)
89
26th
Geelong (VIC)
155
12th
Albury/Wodonga (NSW)
92
27th
Bunbury (WA)
164
Equal 13th
Perth (WA)
95
28th
LaTrobe Valley (VIC)
202
Equal 13th
Mackay (QLD)
95
29th
Ballarat (VIC)
237
15th
Toowoomba (QLD)
98
30th
Gold Coast (QLD)
292
Community
One in four ‘Canberrans’ volunteer their time and energy each year for an organisation or group, making them Australia’s most
community-oriented state or territory. NSW rural hub Wagga Wagga and Victoria’s Ballarat were 2nd and 3rd respectively in this
category.
Western Australia’s Mandurah holds the title of Australia’s least philanthropic city with less than 15% of its population volunteering during
the past 12 months. The Gold Coast and Newcastle rounded out the bottom three cities for this indicator, both with less than 16% of the
population undertaking volunteer work.
Rank
City
Population %
that volunteer with
an organisation
or group
Rank
City
Population %
that volunteer with
an organisation
or group
1st
Canberra
24.80%
16th
Cairns
17.90%
2nd
Wagga Wagga
24.40%
Equal 17th
Rockhampton
17.80%
3rd
Ballarat
22.50%
Equal 18th
Darwin
17.80%
4th
Hobart
22.10%
19th
Bundaberg
17.40%
5th
Bendigo
21.50%
20th
Townsville
17.30%
6th
Sunshine Coast
20.90%
21st
Perth
17.10%
7th
Albury/Wodonga
20.70%
Equal 22nd
Wollongong
16.90%
8th
Toowoomba
20.60%
Equal 22nd
Melbourne
16.90%
Equal 9th
La Trobe Valley
19.40%
24th
Bunbury
16.50%
Equal 9th
Adelaide
19.40%
25th
Mackay
16.10%
11th
Brisbane
19.20%
Equal 26th
Sydney
16%
12th
Coffs Harbour
19%
Equal 26th
Hervey Bay
16%
13th
Launceston
18.80%
28th
Newcastle
15.80%
14th
Geelong
18.60%
29th
Gold Coast
15.40%
15th
Burnie
18.00%
30th
Mandurah
14.50%
Family Friendly City Report
9
1. Launceston – Where the Living is Easy
Rank Indicator
European settlers arrived in the 1830s, and the area won selection
by ballot for the federal capital in 1908. Canberra’s special contrast
of nature and urban living was planned in 1912 by master designer,
Walter Burley Griffin, a Chicago architect, who won an international
design competition.
3rd
Crime
4th
Health 1
1st
Education
4th
Housing
7th
Unemployment
The provisional Parliament House opened in 1927 in what was then
a treeless paddock. Since then, Canberra has grown into a vibrant,
cosmopolitan city with national attractions housing the heritage,
history and national collections that make Canberra the home of the
Australian story.
15th
Health 2
www.visitcanberra.com.au
29th
Income
29th
Connectivity
3. Toowoomba – The Garden City
6th
Child Care
13th
Community
According to the Launceston City website Launceston has a
fantastic lifestyle, low unemployment, Mediterranean climate, great
educational opportunities, low levels of crime and affordable real
estate make Launceston an ideal sea-change destination.
Launceston offers a ‘climate for living’ away from the gridlock of city
congestion with the ambience of a cosmopolitan European city. The
freshest air, the healthiest climate and the wildest places are on the
city’s doorstep.
North eastern Tasmania is fast becoming known as a “haven” from
the harshest impacts of global climate change.
Quite simply, Launceston is a perfect place to;
• Build a business
• Find your “dream job”
• Progress your career
• Unleash your creativity
• Raise a family.
http://www.launceston.tas.gov.au/lcc/
2. Canberra – Australia’s Capital Region
Rank Indicator
29th
Crime
6th
Health 1
5th
Education
28th
Housing
3rd
Unemployment
2nd
Health 2
1st
Income
1st
Connectivity
1st
Child Care
1st
Community
Canberra is modern city, set within extensive parks and gardens
and enjoys four distinct seasons. It will celebrate its centenary as
the nation’s capital in 2013.
Canberra is located in the Australian Capital Territory, surrounded
by New South Wales. The city is 150 kilometres inland and 571
metres above the Pacific Ocean, 281 kilometres from Sydney and
660 kilometres from Melbourne. The latitude and longitude is 35
degrees south and 149 degrees east.
Located on the ancient lands of the Indigenous Ngunnawal people,
Canberra’s name is thought to mean ‘meeting place’, derived from
the Aboriginal word Kamberra.
10
Suncorp Bank
Rank Indicator
16th
Crime
8th
Health 1
16th
Education
6th
Housing
1st
Unemployment
13th
Health 2
14th
Income
12th
Connectivity
15th
Child Care
8th
Community
Toowoomba is a picturesque mountain city located in south east
Queensland some 127Km west of the states capital, Brisbane.
Clinging to the edge of the Great Dividing Range escarpment at an
altitude of seven hundred meters above sea-level, the city affords
breathtaking views of Table Top Mountain and the Lockyer Valley
region across the east.
The city covers an area of approx. 117 Sq Km and is centred at the
intersection of the Warrego and New England highways.
Toowoomba’s climate can best be described as pleasant with
temperature ranges averaging a cool 5°C to 16°C in winter and a
mild 17°C to 27°C in summer.
Throughout the second half of the nineteenth century, Toowoomba
would prosper, being proclaimed a municipality in 1860, a township
in 1892, and a city in 1904.
There are many things to see and do in Toowoomba all year round.
In spring time, Toowoomba’s parks and gardens become vibrant
and ablaze with colour and life, and to celebrate Toowoomba’s
status as “The Garden City”, every year in September the Carnival
of Flowers is held, with a street parade, and other activities.
http://www.toowoomba.org/
4. Albury-Wodonga – The Twin Cities
5. Perth – City of Light
Rank Indicator
Rank Indicator
19th
Crime
22nd
Crime
7th
Health 1
12th
Health 1
6th
Education
11th
Education
3rd
Housing
23rd
Housing
12th
Unemployment
6th
Unemployment
12th
Health 2
1st
Health 2
21st
Income
4th
Income
17th
Connectivity
4th
Connectivity
12th
Child Care
13th
Child Care
7th
Community
21st
Community
Albury and Wodonga are located on opposite sides of the Murray
River, with Albury City located in New South Wales and the City
of Wodonga located in Victoria. The cities are situated some 300
kilometres north-east of Melbourne and 570 kilometres south-west
of Sydney. Albury City is bound by Greater Hume Shire in the north,
north-east and north-west, while the City of Wodonga is bound by
Towong Shire in the south-east and Indigo Shire in the south and
south-west.
The region has a distinctive natural beauty: the majestic Murray
River winds its way through alpine terrain to the east and fertile river
plains to the west.It combines the convenience of a metropolitan
lifestyle with the appeal of rural living. The region is all about letting
people enjoy life at their own pace, whether that be taking a stroll
along the river’s edge, a day trip to historic Beechworth or the
wineries at Rutherglen, a hit of golf on one of the four golf courses,
water activities at Lake Hume or taking advantage of the proximity
of the snowfields, there is something for everyone.
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of
Western Australia. It is the fourth most populous city in Australia.
Perth’s metropolitan area is formally divided into a number of local
government areas, which themselves consist of a large number of
suburbs, extending from Two Rocks in the north to Rockingham in
the south, and east inland to The Lakes.
Perth was originally founded by Captain James Stirling in 1829 as
the administrative centre of the Swan River Colony, and gained city
status in 1856 (currently vested in the smaller City of Perth). Perth
became known worldwide as the “City of Light” when city residents
lit their house lights and streetlights as American astronaut John
Glenn passed overhead while orbiting the earth on Friendship 7 in
1962. The city repeated the act as Glenn passed overhead on the
Space Shuttle in 1998. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perth
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albury-Wodonga
cityofperth.wa.gov.au
alburywodongaaustralia.com.au
westernaustralia.com
5. Adelaide – City of Churches
7. Hobart – The Colonial City
Rank Indicator
Rank Indicator
1st
Crime
4th
Crime
24th
Health 1
20th
Health 1
9th
Education
17th
Education
20th
Housing
11th
Housing
19th
Unemployment
10th
Unemployment
9th
Health 2
11th
Health 2
10th
Income
30th
Income
13th
Connectivity
25th
Connectivity
4th
Child Care
6th
Child Care
9th
Community
4th
Community
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest
city in Australia. Adelaide is north of the Fleurieu Peninsula, on
the Adelaide Plains between the Gulf St Vincent and the low-lying
Mount Lofty Ranges which surround the city. Adelaide stretches 20
km (12 mi) from the coast to the foothills, and 90 km (56 mi) from
Gawler at its northern extent to Sellicks Beach in the south.
Named in honour of Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen, queen consort to
King William IV, the city was founded in 1836 as the planned capital
for a freely settled British province in Australia. Early Adelaide
was shaped by religious freedom and a commitment to political
progressivism and civil liberties, which led to the moniker “City of
Churches”.
Adelaide is noted for its many festivals and sporting events, its food,
wine and culture, its long beachfronts, and its large defence and
manufacturing sectors.
The City of Hobart is one of the most beautiful and liveable Cities
in the world. As the second oldest city in Australia the City offers a
wonderful blend of built and cultural heritage; environment; a vibrant
art and dynamic sporting culture and a low stress lifestyle.Nestled
under Mt Wellington on the Derwent River Hobart is renowned for its
heritage buildings, beautiful parks, fine restaurants, the Salamanca
Markets and its Festivals. It is a city rich in maritime history, and
is shaped and defined by water. A diverse range of craft including
Antarctic supply vessels, sailing dinghies, catamarans, kayaks,
ocean racing yachts, fishing boats and square riggers ply the waters
of the Derwent.
http://www.hobartcity.com.au/Hobart/Living_in_Hobart
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adelaide
southaustralia.com
Family Friendly City Report
11
8. Darwin – The Cosmopolitan City
10. Bundaberg – A City of Charm
Rank Indicator
Rank Indicator
6th
Crime
14th
Crime
5th
Health 1
11th
Health 1
26th
Education
2nd
Education
29th
Housing
5th
Housing
2nd
Unemployment
24th
Unemployment
21st
Health 2
29th
Health 2
2nd
Income
11th
Income
8th
Connectivity
27th
Connectivity
17th
Child Care
11th
Child Care
17th
Community
19th
Community
Darwin is arguably Australia’s most cosmopolitan city, boasting
a population made up of people from more than 60 nationalities
and 70 different ethnic backgrounds. The city’s multicultural mix is
particularly highlighted by its many exciting ethnic cultural festivals
and weekly food and craft markets. Darwin has evolved from its
days as an incredibly laid back frontier town and while it still retains
its relaxed charm, it has become a highly sophisticated city. In
business and industry circles, Darwin is described as Australia’s
gateway with South East Asia. It’s closer to the Indonesian capital of
Jakarta than it is to Canberra and is about the same flying time from
Singapore and Manila as it is from Sydney and Melbourne.
http://www.darwin.nt.gov.au/
8. Bunbury – The City of Three Waters
Bundaberg was named in 1867, the name coming from the linking
of “Bunda” the name of an aboriginal elder and “berg” being a
variation of an old Saxon word for town (burg). These days a more
familiar version has surfaced with the name being shortened to
Bundy for use in conversation.
With the Great Barrier Reef just off our shores and a host of things
to see and do, Bundaberg is a great place to visit.
http://www.sunzine.com.au/bundaberg/bundaberg-city.html
bundabergregion.org
11. Mackay – The Sugar Capital
Rank Indicator
17th
Crime
Rank Indicator
16th
Health 1
2nd
Crime
3rd
Education
2nd
Health 1
21st
Housing
28th
Education
5th
Unemployment
14th
Housing
27th
Health 2
8th
Unemployment
13th
Income
7th
Health 2
10th
Connectivity
7th
Income
13th
Child Care
28th
Connectivity
25th
Community
27th
Child Care
24th
Community
The port city of Bunbury is the third largest city in Western Australia
after the state capital, Perth, and Mandurah. It is situated 175
kilometres (109 mi) south of Perth’s central business district (CBD).
The port services the farming, mining and timber industries of the
south west originally connected via an extensive rail network.
The city of Bunbury is renowned for its wild but friendly bottlenose
dolphins which you can meet at the shoreline or out in the bay
aboard a dolphin watching and swimming tour. It’s also the setting
of many maritime legends and the northern gateway to Australia’s
South West - one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth, where
world-class wine, pristine beaches and forests of timber giants can
all be enjoyed in a single day.
http:www/bunbury.wa.gov.au
12
Suncorp Bank
Mackay is a city on the eastern coast of Queensland, Australia,
about 970 kilometres (603 mi) north of Brisbane, on the Pioneer
River. Mackay is nicknamed the sugar capital of Australia because
its region produces more than a third of Australia’s cane sugar.[2]
Tropical, picturesque and relaxed, Mackay city offers everything
you could want from a major regional centre. The blue Pioneer River
flows past the city’s historical buildings, and stately palm trees
fringe the main street with shopping hotspots, and plenty of magical
spots for a picnic by the river, or dine al fresco by the marina on our
fabulous local seafood.
Mackay is famous for its history as one of Australia’s largest cane
farming regions. However, in recent years, the mining industry has
become the mainstay of the local economy. Heavy investment and
planning is also going into Mackay’s growing tourism industry.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mackay,_Queensland
11. Burnie – Australia’s Sleepy City
14. Melbourne – Australia’s Cultural Capital
Rank Indicator
Rank Indicator
5th
Crime
13th
Crime
1st
Health 1
22nd
Health 1
18th
Education
10th
Education
1st
Housing
27th
Housing
29th
Unemployment
15th
Unemployment
28th
Health 2
5th
Health 2
28th
Income
9th
Income
30th
Connectivity
7th
Connectivity
3rd
Child Care
16th
Child Care
15th
Community
22nd
Community
Burnie overlooks Emu Bay, on the north-west coast of Tasmania.
Burnie is a proud industrial city and is Australia’s fifth largest
container port. Burnie was once surrounded by dense rainforest, but
this slowly disappeared as fortunes were made felling and milling
timber. The paper and pulp mill on the city’s outskirts operated from
1938 to 1998.
Burnie was first explored by Bass and Flinders and was known as
Emu Bay when it was settled by the Van Diemen’s Land Company
in 1827.Burnie experiences temperate conditions, with an average
maximum of 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit) in January
and 13.5 degrees Celsius (56.5 degrees Fahrenheit) in June.
The city is 30 minutes’ drive west of Devonport or 152 kilometres
(94.5 miles) north-west of Launceston.
http://www.about-australia.com/destinations/burnie/
The entire Melbourne metropolitan area covers 7,694 sq km and
has a population of around 4.1 million, it also hosts over a million
international visitors each year.
Melbourne has a reputation for its changeable weather. A tip for any
visitor is to be prepared for anything – take an umbrella and wear
layers that can be worn or removed as needed.
As a general rule, Melbourne enjoys a temperate climate with warm
to hot summers, mild and sometimes balmy springs and autumns,
and cool winters.
While Melbourne has a reputation for rain, the city actually receives
less rainfall than either Brisbane or Sydney.
http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/AboutMelbourne/
MelbourneProfile/Pages/Melbournelifestyle.aspx
14. Wagga Wagga – The City of Good Sports
burnie.net
13. M
andurah – Dynamic, Diverse
and Friendly
Rank Indicator
15th
Crime
9th
Health 1
19th
Education
17th
Housing
16th
Unemployment
4th
Health 2
8th
Income
16th
Connectivity
22nd
Child Care
30th
Community
Mandurah is one of the most vibrant regional cities in Western
Australia. The city is also a gateway to the State’s South West
Region. Situated on Western Australia’s beautiful coastline about
72km south of Perth, Mandurah prides itself on a mix of inner city
and semi-rural living between the Indian Ocean, the expansive
waterways of the Peel-Harvey Estuary and the lower reaches of the
Serpentine River.
Mandurah has retained its relaxed, holiday atmosphere despite
recent rapid growth as a major ‘sea change’ destination in Australia.
One of Mandurah’s greatest assets is its diverse and friendly
community. Voted twice as WA’s Top Tourism Town, Mandurah
welcomes friends and family from around the globe to enjoy its
relaxed coastal lifestyle. In fact, the name Mandurah is derived from
the Aboriginal word, ‘mandjar’ meaning ‘meeting place’.
Rank Indicator
24th
Crime
17th
Health 1
21st
Education
8th
Housing
11th
Unemployment
8th
Health 2
20th
Income
20th
Connectivity
21st
Child Care
2nd
Community
The City of Wagga Wagga is part of the Murrumbidgee Region in
the heartland of the New South Wales Riverina.
Wagga Wagga is also one of the seven recognised EvoCities in
regional New South Wales. These are Cities which as defined as
clean and green, vibrant, dynamic, innovative,
professional, accessible and globally linked regional destinations
that provide a certain quality of life and livability that continues to
attract visitors and residents alike.
Known as the “City of Good Sports”, many of Australia’s sporting
heroes hail from the regional city of Wagga Wagga, including
former Australian cricket captain Mark Taylor, rugby league great
Peter Sterling and AFL legend Paul Kelly. The high number of elite
athletes produced by the Riverina City was the subject of a study by
the Australian Institute of Sport in 2005. The research proved that
the City’s talent pool was more than just good luck, describing the
sporting phenomenon as the ‘Wagga Effect’.
http://www.wagga.nsw.gov.au/
http://www.mandurah.wa.gov.au/
Family Friendly City Report
13
16. Bendigo – The Goldrush City
18. Newcastle – The Steel City
Rank Indicator
Rank Indicator
10th
Crime
7th
Crime
13th
Health 1
18th
Health 1
22nd
Education
7th
Education
9th
Housing
25th
Housing
22nd
Unemployment
14th
Unemployment
10th
Health 2
22nd
Health 2
25th
Income
23rd
Income
22nd
Connectivity
15th
Connectivity
23rd
Child Care
9th
Child Care
5th
Community
28th
Community
The City of Greater Bendigo is situated in the geographic centre
of Victoria, on traditional Jaara Country, covering 3,000 square
kilometres. Bendigo has a rich and prosperous heritage dating
back to the days when gold was discovered in the area in the
1850s. Since then, Bendigo has been the second highest producing
goldfield in Australia and remains the seventh largest in the world.
Bendigo’s rich gold history has produced a city of unparalleled
opulence and grandeur. Stunning architecture and manicured
gardens are all symbolic of Bendigo.
http://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/About_us/About_Greater_Bendigo
16. Townsville – The Gateway City
Newcastle is NSW’s second oldest city, and is a region rich with
unique history. The Awabakal and Worimi peoples are recognised
and acknowledged as traditional custodians of the land and waters
of the Newcastle area. The earliest Aboriginal reference to the
naming of Newcastle is Muloobinba, meaning edible sea fern.
Following European settlement, Newcastle became a penal station,
a coal town, a steel city. Today, it is NSW’s second largest city and
the seventh largest city in Australia.
Formerly known as “Steel City’’, Newcastle has undergone a
transformation in the past decade from an industrial town - home to
BHP Steelworks for more than 90 years - to a buzzing, compact and
highly liveable city with a vibrant culture of cafes, food and wine,
surf, art, theatre, music and fashion.
http://www.visitnewcastle.com.au/pages/newcastle-snapshot/
Rank Indicator
27th
Crime
3rd
Health 1
29th
Education
16th
Housing
4th
Unemployment
24th
Health 2
16th
Income
11th
Connectivity
8th
Child Care
20th
Community
Townsville is the capital of North Queensland and remains one
of the fastest growing cities in the state. Located about halfway
between the tip of Cape York and Brisbane, Townsville stretches
across 3,736km2 and is nestled on the shores of Cleveland Bay.
Even from its earliest days, Townsville has been the commercial,
industrial and administrative hub of North Queensland. The city’s
strategic location, with rail and road links the north, south and west
allows the sea port to manage shipments of minerals, livestock,
sugar and other cargo. Businesses are also attracted by our plentiful
supply of water, power and real estate. The city is renowned for its
easy going lifestyle, tropical weather, and natural surroundings, from
arid landscapes to rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef. Familyfriendly entertainment and vibrant cultural experiences are on offer
both day and night. In terms of lifestyle, Townsville has something
for everyone!
http://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/townsville/cityinfo/Pages/default.aspx
19. R
ockhampton – The Beef Capital
of Australia
Rank Indicator
23rd
Crime
10th
Health 1
4th
Education
10th
Housing
23rd
Unemployment
23rd
Health 2
12th
Income
23rd
Connectivity
25th
Child Care
17th
Community
Rockhampton, the Beef Capital of Australia is located on the
Tropic of Capricorn and is the gateway to the Coast and the
Outback. Founded in 1853, the majesty of Rockhampton’s historical
architecture has captured the hearts of visitors for decades.
Many fine public and private buildings, including the Customs
House, old Post Office, Cathedrals, banks, business houses
and homes, are constant reminders of the city with an exciting
background. Six bull statues representing the main breeds of
the area are situated throughout Rockhampton in recognition of
Rockhampton’s Beef Capital of Australia title. Gracemere Saleyards,
on the outskirts of Rockhampton, handle the largest throughput
of export beef cattle in Queensland, and is the largest stud-selling
venue in the Southern Hemisphere. Public are welcome. Experience
the country in the city at the Great Western Hotel, which holds
weekly rodeos at the back of the pub.
http://www.sunzine.com.au/rockhampton/rockhampton-city.html
rockhamptioregion.qld.gov.au
14
Suncorp Bank
20. Sunshine Coast – City of Beaches
22. Ballarat – The Resting Place
Rank Indicator
Rank Indicator
11th
Crime
21st
Crime
30th
Health 1
15th
Health 1
15th
Education
13th
Education
22nd
Housing
7th
Housing
17th
Unemployment
30th
Unemployment
19th
Health 2
6th
Health 2
17th
Income
26th
Income
5th
Connectivity
24th
Connectivity
4th
Child Care
29th
Child Care
6th
Community
3rd
Community
Although it does not have a central business district, by population
the Sunshine Coast ranks as the 10th largest metropolis in Australia
and the third largest in Queensland.
The Sunshine Coast economy is currently dominated by three main
sectors – tourism, retail and construction. The region also has a
strong agricultural sector. Strong efforts are being made to diversify
the regional economy by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council and
others with an emphasis on ‘clean and green’ knowledge-based
businesses across sectors such as information and communication
technologies, cleantech, creative industries, aviation, education and
food and beverages.
Several stretches of the Sunshine Coast are lined with
unbroken beaches – from Sunshine Beach near Noosa to
Coolum Beach; the coast from Point Arkwright to Mudjimba;
the Maroochydore–Mooloolaba stretch; and from Buddina past
Caloundra to Pelican Waters.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunshine_Coast,_Queensland#Beaches
visitsunshinecoast.com.au
21. Wollongong – The City of Five Islands
Rank Indicator
9th
Crime
25th
Health 1
8th
Education
19th
Housing
25th
Unemployment
26th
Health 2
22nd
Income
14th
Connectivity
2nd
Child Care
22nd
Community
Wollongong is Australia’s ninth largest city and is located 80km
south of Sydney on a narrow coastal strip bordered by the Royal
National Park to the north, Lake Illawarra to the south, the Tasman
Sea to the east and the Illawarra Escarpment to the west. It is a
city with strong manufacturing, education, technology research &
development sectors.
The name Wollongong originated from the Aboriginal word
woolyungah meaning five islands. Archaeological evidence indicates
that Aboriginals have lived here for at least 30,000 years. Wodi Wodi
is the tribe name of the Aboriginal people of the Illawarra.
http://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/city/demographics/Pages/
default.aspx
Ballarat is located on the Yarrowee River and lower western plains
of the Great Dividing Range in the state of Victoria, Australia,
approximately 105 kilometres (65 mi) west-north-west of the state
capital; Melbourne. Ballarat is the third most populous urban area in
the state and one of Australia’s most populated inland settlements.
Ballarat was named by Scottish squatter Archibald Yuille who
established the first settlement, his sheep run called Ballarat in
1837[7] with the name derived from local Wathaurong Aboriginal
words for the area, Ballarat, thought to mean “resting place”.
The Victorian gold rush transformed Ballarat from a small sheep
station to a major settlement. Gold was discovered at Poverty Point
on 18 August 1851 and news quickly spread of rich alluvial fields
where gold could easily be extracted.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballarat
ballarat.com
23. Sydney – The Emerald City
Rank Indicator
8th
Crime
27th
Health 1
12th
Education
30th
Housing
18th
Unemployment
14th
Health 2
5th
Income
3rd
Connectivity
24th
Child Care
26th
Community
Sydney is the capital of New South Wales and the most populated
city in Australia. Given its location as the economic and cultural
heart of Australia, the City of Sydney is highly and densely
urbanised. Its land is intensively used for a variety of purposes
including residential and commercial use as well as tourist and
cultural attractions, and parks and open space. It is home to the
highest commercial and residential densities in Australia.
The Sydney Olympic Games (2000), widely regarded as the best
games ever, put Sydney on the map internationally.
The term Emerald City is used as a metaphor by the character
Elaine Ross in David Williamson’s Play ‘Oz’, describing Sydney as
“the Emerald City of Oz”, where people go expecting their dreams
to be fulfilled, only to end up with superficial substitutes and broken
dreams. Subsequently “Emerald City” has occasionally been used
as an unofficial nickname for the city of Sydney.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerald_City
Sydney.com.au
Family Friendly City Report
15
24. Brisbane – The River City
26. H
ervey Bay – The Whale Watch Capital
of the World
Rank Indicator
28th
Crime
Rank Indicator
21st
Health 1
18th
Crime
24th
Education
26th
Health 1
26th
Housing
20th
Education
9th
Unemployment
12th
Housing
17th
Health 2
27th
Unemployment
3rd
Income
30th
Health 2
2nd
Connectivity
6th
Income
18th
Child Care
19th
Connectivity
11th
Community
10th
Child Care
26th
Community
Brisbane is the capital of Queensland and named after Sir Thomas
Brisbane, noted astronomer and former Governor of New South
Wales. Brisbane is the most populous city in Queensland and the
third most populous city in Australia.
Brisbane was chosen as the capital when Queensland was
proclaimed a separate colony from New South Wales in 1859.
Brisbane has hosted many large cultural and sporting events,
including the1982 Commonwealth Games, World Expo ‘88 and
the final Goodwill Games in 2001. Brisbane is the largest economy
between Sydney and Singapore, and as of 2008 is classified as
a Global city.[6] It was also rated the 16th most livable city in the
world in 2009 by the Economist Intelligence Unit.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brisbane
visitbrisbane.com
25. Geelong – The Cliff City
Rank Indicator
12th
Crime
19th
Health 1
27th
Education
18th
Housing
20th
Unemployment
3rd
Health 2
27th
Income
21st
Connectivity
26th
Child Care
14th
Community
Geelong is a port city located on Corio Bay and the Barwon River, in
the state of Victoria, Australia, 75 kilometres south-west of the state
capital, Melbourne. It is the second most populated city in Victoria
and the fifth most populated non-capital city in Australia.
Geelong was named in 1827 by Governor Richard Burke, with
the name derived from the local Wathaurong Aboriginal name for
the region, Jillong, thought to mean ‘land’ or ‘cliffs’. Geelong was
proclaimed a city in 1910, with industrial growth from this time until
the 1960s establishing the city as a manufacturing centre for the
state. It is known for being home to car manufacturer Ford Australia
and also the Geelong Football Club, nicknamed The Cats.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geelong
geelongaustralia.com.au
visitgeelongbellarine.com.au
16
Suncorp Bank
Hervey Bay has often been called the jewel in Queensland’s crown.
It is also referred to as the Whale Watch Capital of the World. A
scenic 3 ½ hours drive north of Brisbane and only 45 minutes by air
from Brisbane.
The city has a wonderful subtropical climate. Temperatures range
from 14 to 23 degrees Centigrade in winter and 22 to 29 degrees
Centigrade in summer.
Rainfall is low and there are more fine days than other Queensland
city.
http://www.discoverherveybay.com/
27. Cairns – Australia’s Tropical Paradise
Rank Indicator
30th
Crime
14th
Health 1
25th
Education
15th
Housing
26th
Unemployment
20th
Health 2
15th
Income
9th
Connectivity
19th
Child Care
16th
Community
Nestled on the coast of Far North Queensland, Cairns is tucked
between the Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea and the lush
rolling downs of the Atherton Tableland to the west. The city was
named after William Wellington Cairns, then-current Governor
of Queensland. It was formed to serve miners heading for the
Hodgkinson River goldfield, but experienced a decline when an
easier route was discovered from Port Douglas. It later developed
into a railhead and major port for exporting sugar cane, gold and
other metals, minerals and agricultural products from surrounding
coastal areas and the Atherton Tableland region.
Cairns is known for its tourism is attractions like the Great Barrier
Reef and the Wet Tropics World Heritage rainforest.
http://tools.cairns.com.au/about-cairns/about-cairns.php
28. Gold Coast – Australia’s Golden City
30.
C
offs Harbour – Home of the Big
Banana
Rank Indicator
26th
Crime
Rank Indicator
23rd
Health 1
20th
Crime
14th
Education
29th
Health 1
24th
Housing
30th
Education
13th
Unemployment
13th
Housing
18th
Health 2
28th
Unemployment
18th
Income
25th
Health 2
6th
Connectivity
19th
Income
30th
Child Care
18th
Connectivity
Community
20th
Child Care
12th
Community
29th
Famous for its sun, surf and sand, Gold Coast City stretches along
57 kilometres of coastline.
The Gold Coast is known for its beautiful beaches and vast
rainforest hinterland. It is the sixth largest city in Australia and one of
the fastest growing regions in the country.
Covering an area of 1400 square kilometres, the city’s boundaries
extend from just south of Beenleigh to Coolangatta, taking in
South Stradbroke Island and part of Moreton Bay and extending
west to the hinterland of Mount Tamborine and the Lamington and
Darlington Ranges.
http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/default.html
28.
L
a Trobe Valley – Mountains, Lakes and
Beaches
Coffs Harbour is a coastal city located on the north coast of New
South Wales about 540 km north of Sydney, and 390 km south of
Brisbane. Popular with people wanting to relocate from big cities to
small towns on the coast or in rural areas, Coffs Harbour continues
to grow at an exceptional rate.
According to the CSIRO, Coffs Harbour has the most liveable
climate in Australia, and it is nestled between a high mountain
backdrop and dozens of “unspoiled” beaches. Coffs Harbour’s
economy is based mainly on farming (of bananas), tourism, and
manufacturing.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffs_Harbour
visitcoffsharbour.com
coffscoast.com.au
coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au
Rank Indicator
25th
Crime
28th
Health 1
23rd
Education
2nd
Housing
21st
Unemployment
16th
Health 2
24th
Income
26th
Connectivity
28th
Child Care
9th
Community
The Latrobe Valley is an inland geographical region and urban area
inside Gippsland in the state of Victoria. It is east of the City Of
Melbourne and nestled between the Strzelecki Ranges to the south
and the Great Dividing Range (Baw Baw Ranges) to the north – with
the highest peak to the north of the Latrobe Valley – approximately
due north of Moe – being Mount Baw Baw.
The area has four major centres (from west to east) Warragul, Moe,
Morwell and Traralgon, with minor centres including Churchill,
Drouin & Trafalgar. The city of Moe is the most central city to the
Latrobe Valley. Latrobe City boasts all of the recreational and
cultural facilities of a large diverse regional centre with the added
benefit of being nestled amongst some of the best tourist attractions
in the state.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latrobe_Valley
Latrobe.vis.gov.au
Family Friendly City Report
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