Category Archives: Townsville

Qld should benefit from strong economic performance in NSW and Victoria

Posted on September 30, 2016 by Gene Tunny

The August job vacancies data released by the ABS yesterday confirm the strong economic performance we are seeing in NSW and Victoria, and they also show encouraging signs for Queensland (see charts below). Given national markets and the linkages between … Continue reading →

Posted in Labour market, Macroeconomy, North Queensland, Townsville, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Townsville’s double digit unemployment rate signifies major downturn in region

Posted on July 22, 2016 by Gene Tunny

Yesterday afternoon I had a good chat with Pat Hession on Townsville ABC Radio about the latest discouraging unemployment data for my old home town of Townsville. Readers will be familiar with the vastly different economic conditions across Queensland (see … Continue reading →

Posted in Labour market, Townsville, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 17 Comments

Townsville Super Stadium guest post by Joe Branigan

Posted on May 24, 2016 by Gene Tunny

My fellow economists and friends are doing a good job of making me redundant as a blogger. Today’s guest post is from Joe Branigan of the SMART Infrastructure Facility and Cadence Economics. GT. So JT* wants a brand new football … Continue reading →

Posted in Townsville, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Qld unemployment rate appears stuck around 6%, while national rate falls

Posted on April 14, 2016 by Gene Tunny

Queensland’s under-performing economy was illustrated by March labour force data released by the ABS today. The State’s unemployment rate appears stuck around 6%, while the national unemployment rate continues its steady decline, with the seasonally adjusted national rate falling from … Continue reading →

Posted in Labour market, Macroeconomy, Mining, North Queensland, Townsville, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Regional rescue packages have a poor record

Posted on March 6, 2016 by Gene Tunny

The Sunday Mail reported this morning that Queensland Federal Government MPs are “at odds over federal relief funding for Queensland” in response to the economic downturn in much of the State outside SEQ (e.g. note the large job losses in … Continue reading →

Posted in Labour market, Mackay, Macroeconomy, Queensland Government, Townsville, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Challenging conditions outside SEQ

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Gene Tunny

In his recent commentary regarding strong growth in the retail sector, National Retail Association CEO Trevor Evans noted: “South East Queensland is performing strongly but performance in Queensland is being held back by issues in some areas…Some areas are living … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Infrastructure, Labour market, Mackay, Macroeconomy, Mining, North Queensland, Queensland Government, Townsville, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Mackay asks why is Townsville getting special treatment?

Posted on January 20, 2016 by Gene Tunny

Yesterday afternoon I spoke with Elly Bradfield on ABC Radio’s Statewide Drive program about Queensland Nickel entering administration and the likely economic fallout. I reiterated the points I made in this blog yesterday that this could be a big economic … Continue reading →

Posted in Mackay, Queensland Government, Townsville, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Economic pain continues for Townsville

Posted on January 19, 2016 by Gene Tunny

With the nickel refinery at Yabulu outside Townsville now in administration, following the sacking of hundreds of workers last week, Townsville residents are right to be very concerned about the economic impact of a possible refinery shutdown, and the loss … Continue reading →

Posted in Labour market, Townsville, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Unsurprising Townsville running out of water when Council is charging so little for it

Posted on August 26, 2015 by Gene Tunny

Townsville City Council desperately needs some hard-headed economic advice, not just on the unwise Super Stadium project, but on water pricing, too. It is reported in today’s Townsville Bulletin that “TOWNSVILLE residents must dramatically reduce their water use if the … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Townsville | Tagged , , , , , | 14 Comments

Local government regulatory reform process fails to stop silly heritage listings in Townsville

Posted on October 30, 2014 by Gene Tunny

In its report on cutting red tape last year, the Queensland Competition Authority noted that “the Government will consult with local government in late 2013 on a regulatory reform program for local governments.” This consultation obviously didn’t achieve much, because … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing, Townsville | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment