Tag Archives: seq

Urban sprawl filling in the 200km City

Posted on March 15, 2015 by Gene Tunny

In the first seven months of financial year 2014-15, the top five suburban areas in Queensland for residential building approvals were: Newstead-Bowen Hills (1,358 approvals), Southport (1,305), North Lakes-Mango Hill (612), Caloundra-West (406), and Jimboomba (401) (see map below based … Continue reading →

Posted in Housing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Unemployment much higher in North Qld, Wide Bay, Ipswich and outer Brisbane metro area

Posted on February 20, 2015 by Gene Tunny

The regional dimension to Queensland unemployment is readily apparent from the following unemployment rate maps I’ve produced based on Queensland Treasury’s handy information brief on regional unemployment. Here’s the map for the whole State: My old home town of Townsville … Continue reading →

Posted in Labour market | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Treasury projections suggest Qld Plan regional population target unachievable

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Gene Tunny

I’ve previously questioned whether the target in the draft Queensland Plan to have half the population living outside South East Queensland is achievable (see Regional infrastructure plan should be based on updated population projections). The latest official State population projections from Queensland … Continue reading →

Posted in Population, Queensland Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Regional infrastructure plan should be based on updated population projections

Posted on January 28, 2014 by Gene Tunny

Having spent the first fifteen years of my life in Townsville, I’m a great supporter of regional Queensland, but as an economist I think the Government needs to do some further analysis before it commits large amounts of money to … Continue reading →

Posted in Population, Queensland Government, Townsville | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

SEQ has expensive public transport due to low density and costly trains

Posted on January 8, 2014 by Gene Tunny

While hard on commuters, the recent Translink fare hike (see Brisbane Times coverage) still leaves South-East Queensland with a heavily subsidised public transport system, which it will continue to have given a relatively low population density and historically poor choices … Continue reading →

Posted in Brisbane, Transport | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Govt should explore transport demand management options before committing to costly infrastructure

Posted on September 10, 2013 by Gene Tunny

While it’s good news the Government has found a much cheaper alternative to Cross-River Rail, before committing billions of dollars to an underground rail and bus network (see this morning’s Courier-Mail report), the Government should ensure it has fully considered … Continue reading →

Posted in Transport | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Gold Coast should worry less about its over-reliance on property, tourism and retail

Posted on August 14, 2013 by Gene Tunny

The Gold Coast Draft Economic Development Strategy 2013-2023 expresses concern over the Gold Coast’s reliance on its traditional sectors of property, tourism and retail (see chart above based on data from the Strategy), noting: The cyclical nature of these industries has left … Continue reading →

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RBA says SEQ builders see signs of improvement in sector

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Gene Tunny

Christopher Kent of the RBA has given an informative speech on Recent Developments in the Housing Market, in which he noted there are signs of improvement in the SEQ building industry: Approvals in Queensland have been subdued, particularly on the … Continue reading →

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SEQ’s extensive but costly public transport system requires thorough review

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Gene Tunny

I’m pleased the State Government is reviewing public transport fares, as reported earlier today in Quest Newspapers: The State Government has made a commitment to address public transport fares in order to establish a new fare structure for southeast Queensland. … Continue reading →

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Storms and floods reveal need for public education campaign on disasters

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Gene Tunny

After South-East Queensland’s wild weekend of storms, the Queensland Government should consider a public education campaign on how to stay safe during storms and floods, as the Bureau of Meteorology obviously doesn’t see that as its role. While the Bureau … Continue reading →

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