SKILLS TASMANIA
West Coast Regional Profile
Part 1: Demographic and Social Profile of West Coast
Localities (2006 Census Data)
Version 0.3
Commercial-in-Confidence
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SYNOPSIS............................................................................................................ 7
METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................. 8
INDUSTRY CONSULTATION LIST ..................................................................... 9
SMALL BUSINESS SURVEY RESPONDENTS ................................................ 10
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................ 11
Snapshot of the West Coast Working Population .....................................................................11
Social and Demographic Characteristics of West Coast Suburbs ..........................................25
Queenstown ..................................................................................................................................25
Roseberry ......................................................................................................................................31
Strahan ..........................................................................................................................................37
Zeehan ...........................................................................................................................................49
POPULATION PROJECTIONS .......................................................................... 55
Snapshot .......................................................................................................................................55
Labour Market Implications .........................................................................................................56
HOUSING ........................................................................................................... 57
SOCIO-ECONOMIC INDEXES FOR AREAS (SEIFA) ....................................... 59
SOCIO-ECONOMIC INDEXES FOR AREAS (SEIFA) ....................................... 59
2
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The West Coast Municipality is unique. It is a remote area characterised by cold
climatic conditions and proximity to world heritage listed national parks. The
economics of the West Coast are built on a limited number of industries which
include mining, aquaculture and tourism. The mining industry is approaching a
boom and the demand for labour is becoming competitive. The aquaculture
industry is not labour intensive and has reached a plateau. Tourism is a new and
emerging industry and is characterised by seasonal labour and a casual
workforce. The interaction between the environment, local demographics and
industry changes gives rise to the need to develop a regional training demand
profile that takes into consideration the aforementioned factors.
Localities
Tasmania’s West Coast consists of 5 localities, namely Queenstown, Strahan,
Roseberry, Tullah and Zeehan. There were 5457 people living in the west coast
municipality at the time of the 2001 census which is approximately 1.5 percent of
the Tasmanian population.
Demographic Trends
The West Coast localities are characterised by bimodal population distributions.
For Queenstown and Zeehan, approximately 50 percent of residents did not live
on the West Coast five years ago. Similarly, for Strahan, Tullah and Roseberry
approximately 25 percent did not live in the municipality five years ago.
When compared with Australian rates, the West Coast municipality has slightly
more people aged under 0-14 years. Roseberry, Tullah and Zeehan also have
significantly fewer people aged over 65 years when compared to the Australian
rates.
There is also an increase trend for families to reside outside the West Coast
municipality and the principle income earner to commute to the area for work.
Employment patterns also differed across the localities. In all localities the
mining industry was important to regional economics. In Strahan aquaculture
and accommodation were important industry employers. In Queenstown the
government was also a significant employer in health and human services as well
as education.
The socio economic status of the West Coast municipality is also bimodality
distributed. On the one hand a proportion of the workforce earns high salaries,
however there are also many unskilled people who are unemployed. On the
SEIFA index of Economic Resources the West Coast ranks 35th in the state.
However on the index of Education and Occupation the West Coast was the 8 th
lowest ranking municipality.
With regards to educational attainment, males were most likely to hold either a
Certificate III or IV in Engineering Related Technologies or Hospitality services.
3
Females, when compared with their male counterparts, were more likely to have
no qualification. More females than males however held a degree level
qualification.
The aforementioned trends converge to suggest that the West Coast region is
characterised by a working population with young children. These families have
traditionally resided in the area until children reach senior secondary school age.
Families are then forced to move so children can attend high school.
Alternatively if a major industry winds down, families move from the area to find
work elsewhere. Increasingly families are choosing to live on the North West
Coast and commute to the West Coast for employment. Older persons are also
inclined to either retire in Queenstown/Strahan areas or move away from the
West Coast. Most working people are employed in the mining industry; they are
male and hold a certificate III or IV qualification. Females are less likely to be
employed or they work part-time in the accommodation industry. Females are
less likely to be vocationally trained than their male counterparts and more likely
to hold a tertiary qualification.
Industry
The economy and employment in the region is dominated by mining, which is
worth between $250 and $300 million per annum. Despite significant job losses
over the last several years, over 30% of people are employed in the mining
industry. Tourism is an emerging growth industry with over 170,000 visitors to the
West Coast annually. Tourism brings approximately $46 million of revenue into
the West Coast region and creates about 260 jobs. Fishing and aquaculture are
strong, stable industries with still some potential for growth. Over 80% of all
businesses on the West Coast are however micro businesses. They employ
about one third of the total labour force.
Housing
A significant problem encountered on the West Coast is that people do not see it
as a desirable place to live. For example, few people retire on the West Coast,
as the rugged landscape, bad weather and lack of health facilities do not make it
a preferred place for older people to live. Only Strahan (population 802) seems
to appeal to a small number of people as a place to retire.
When compared with other localities house and land prices in Strahan are
relatively high. This is in part due to Strahan’s coastal location and limited land
available for purchase1. Furthermore, recent sewerage and water infrastructure
service upgrades have further increased the land and house values of Strahan in
comparison to the surrounding localities of Queenstown, Tullah, Roseberry and
Zeehan. The latter West Coast localities have a surplus of land and houses
available. However there is little demand for these properties, as mining towns
do not have the aesthetic appeal when compared with, for example, the coastal
proximity of Strahan.
1
Much of the land in and around Strahan is Crown Land.
4
Accessing capital for home building or other developments on the West Coast is
difficult. Financial institutions will not provide mortgages for properties on the
West Coast, thereby restricting the ability of people to purchase and/or further
develop the housing stock. This is significant for small business development as
well, as persons are restricted from accessing capital (by mortgaging property) to
start up or expand small business in the area.
Skills and Training
Demographic analyses provided a snapshot of skills and training levels within
West Coast localities and across the municipality. These data suggested that the
region is characterised by a proportion of people trained in engineering related
occupations. The demographic data also suggested there are many people
without skills and training.
From an industry perspective, mining enterprises lose about 10-12 percent of
their workforce each year. They lose employees to other mining operations in
the start-up or growth phase, or alternatively people move to employment
opportunities elsewhere in Tasmania. Employee separations are replaced by
either contract labour or new recruits to the industry.
In the fishing and aquaculture industry training focuses on meeting legislative and
regulatory requirements. In the wild fisheries industry, training beyond that
required by legislation is non existent. This is in part due to employment
arrangements whereby fishermen are paid on a contractual or ‘catch’ quota
arrangement; because boats may operate from several different ports the labour
force is highly mobile; and, a workplace culture which is non-supportive of
training. Consultations suggested that the wild fisheries industry has a high
accident and injury rate.
The Aquaculture industry provides extensive safety and other training. However
these operations are not labour intensive and the west coast aquaculture
workforce is small.
The accommodation, café and restaurant industry reported significant employee
turnover of around 47 percent. This was due to seasonal fluctuations in
accommodation demand, and a lack of training opportunities for food and
beverage attendants and a younger more mobile workforce demographic. Unlike
the wild fisheries industry, accommodation services are built around a culture of
training. The current funding models for new apprenticeships and traineeships
were reported by one employer to be working against the training culture of
hospitality.
5
Training Demand
The Training Demand Profile for the West Coast Municipality for the 2006-07
financial years was estimated by participating employers and as follows (Table
1). This training demand was validated by Registered Training Organisations
and New Apprenticeship Centres.
Also the training demand for some
Accommodation industry job roles (e.g. Food and Beverage Attendant) is
dependant on funding models and a policy that is aligned with seasonal labour
force patterns.
Table 1: Training Demand Profile
Mining
Certificate III Metalliferous Mining Operations (Underground)
50-60
Certificate III Metalliferous Mining Operations (Processing)
50
Certificate IV in Frontline Management
12
Accommodation, Cafes & Restaurants
THH31502 Certificate III in Hospitality (Commercial Cookery)
THH41302 Certificate IV in Hospitality (Commercial Cookery)
THH33002 Certificate III in Hospitality (Operations)
3
8
35
THT30902 Certificate III in Tourism (Guiding); THT40302
Certificate IV in Tourism (Guiding)
3
THH33002 Certificate III in Hospitality (Operations)
5
MEM30298 Certificate III in Engineering (Mechanical Trade)
1
Fishing & Aquaculture
Regulatory based skill clusters
25
Small Business
Require economic development interventions that drive the need for training. No specific
training was identified.
6
Synopsis
Geographic, demographic and industry related factors converge to create a
complex relationship between the demand and supply on labour in the West
Coast Municipality. The usual resident population of the West Coast includes a
mixture of vocationally skilled miners, unemployed persons who benefit from low
rents and families looking for economic prosperity. Increasingly however people
are choosing to reside on the North West Coast and commute to their
employment. These people are contract employees and have left the West
Coast area because of a lack of infrastructure such as secondary colleges and
poor quality housing. As people exit the area, the local council is left with an
increasing financial burden to maintain depreciating infrastructure.
Older persons are also choosing to retire outside of the West Coast area. Whilst
Strahan offers village lifestyle and Queenstown hospital facilities, the lack of low
maintenance housing are reasons why people exit the West Coast area.
Working on the West Coast is also challenging. One mining company reported
that professionally trained people stay for about 2 years. The remote lifestyle
and poor quality infrastructure discourages people from remaining in the area.
Similarly accommodation services report that isolation and a lack of training are
reasons for people not choosing to stay on the West Coast.
Small to medium size businesses, however, are highly stable. They choose to
reside on the West Coast for lifestyle and other reasons. These businesses do
not however perceive a need for training or skill development. Most West Coast
businesses are lifestyle micro-businesses and do not pursue economic
development as an objective.
They report that the external operating
environment drives the need for business development, which in turn drives the
need for skills development.
The economic cycles of the mining industry and seasonal nature of the tourism
industry create unique workforce planning issues for businesses. Both industry
sectors are exploring strategies that improve labour retention. These strategies
are focused on skills and training, as well as career planning. Increasingly
businesses are looking to up skill through skill cluster training rather than
qualification based training. This trend was also reported by Registered Training
Providers who are increasingly being asked to provide maintenance and industry
up-skilling based training.
7
Methodology
The project methodology incorporated desktop research to identify the impact of
economic and other factors on the West Coast Municipality. This research
methodology was also utilised to collate statistical information around the social
and demographic characteristics of the region. Statistical data was sourced from
the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2006 Usual Resident, Expanded
Community Profile and Working Population datasets.
Government departments such as the Land Information Service provide house
and land price sales for the West Coast Municipality; and the Department of
Economic Development provide mining, fishing and tourism industry data.
The University of Tasmania provide data on population datasets and analyses for
the West Coast Municipality.
Based on trends identified in the ABS 2006 Census, industry sectors that were
important to the West Coast Municipality were approached for information. Some
of these consultations were face-to-face interviews and others telephone
interviews. A technique known as snowballing was used, whereby industry
representative are asked to provide the name of one other suitable person to
contact for information about an industry.
Finally a brief survey was mailed to small businesses in the West Coast
Municipality. The response rate to this survey was 25 percent and follow-up
telephone calls revealed that the West Coast Council was conducting a similar
survey. However a 25 percent response rate is typical of mail surveys.
8
Industry Consultation List
Name
Organisation
Industry
Group Human Resources
Gina Gunn, Toni Brown, Juliet
Casey, Greg Astell (GM Strahan
Operations)
Federal Hotels and Resorts
Accommodation, cafes and
restaurants
John Kirwan
John Kirwan and Associates
Registered Training
Organisation
Mining
Fishing & Aquaculture
Health
Simone Nielsen
Henty Gold
Mining
Bill Wells
Mersey Skills and Training
Small Business
Retail
Jeanette Barr
Manager Forests & Forest
Industry Council
Forestry
Mike Jack
TAFE Tasmania
Mining
Simone Gearman
The New Apprenticeships
Specialists
Across all industries
Annette Vanbetelhem
Jobnet
Community Education
Small Business
David Owen
TASCOSS
Community Development
Partnerships to Jobs Project funded
by Department of Economic
Development
Daniel Leeson
Tourism Council of Tasmania
Tourism
Workplace Standards
Mining
Chris Fallon
The Department of Employment
Science and Training (DEST)
Government
Fred Lijauco
Building and Construction
Industry Training Board
Construction
Leigh Fannon
Land Information Service
Government
Tasmanian Industry Fishing
Council
Wild Fishing
Aquaculture
Seafood Training Tasmania
Wild Fishing
Aquaculture
James Guard
David Milne
Australian Maritime College
Jo-Anne O'Brien
West Coast Council,
Business Development Officer
Jim Manley
Andrew Platters
Cooper Mines
Polymetal Hellyer Mine
Wild Fishing
Aquaculture
Small business
Mining
Mining
9
Small Business Survey Respondents
Cecil Hotel & Old Miners Cottages
Accommodation, cafes and restaurants
Anchordown
Accommodation, cafes and restaurants
Castaway Holiday apartments
Accommodation, cafes and restaurants
Orminston House
Accommodation, cafes and restaurants
Glenaire Apartment
Accommodation, cafes and restaurants
Gordon Gateway Chalet
Accommodation, cafes and restaurants
Chancellor Inn
Accommodation, cafes and restaurants
Greengate on Central
Accommodation, cafes and restaurants
Gold Rush Motor Inn
Accommodation, cafes and restaurants
Almac Drilling Pty Ltd
Mining
Back in a Flash Constructions
Building and Construction
Beau Castle Electrical
Building and Construction
Murphy’s Mowing & Maintenance
Building and Construction
Quarry Home Improvements
Building and Construction
Setori Engineering
Mining
The Coffee Stop
Accommodation, cafes and restaurants
JJ’s Coffee Shoppe
Accommodation, cafes and restaurants
Dundas Extended Minerals
Retail
Roseberry Newsagency
Retail
Brett Gow Electrical
Retail
Country Homewares
Retail
Gumley’s Newsagency
Retail
Railway Express
Retail
10
Introduction
The following demographic profile of the West Coast Municipality is based on the
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2006 Census data2, as well as population
projection data from the University of Tasmania3. The objective of this section is
to create an understanding of the social and population characteristics of the
West Coast Local Government Area and to triangulate these data with business
and training demand profiles.
Snapshot of the West Coast Working Population
Table 1 shows the employment by industry for working West Coast residents.
Mining was the largest industry sector employing around 508 people, followed by
Accommodation, Café and Restaurants which employed 353 people.
Retail
related industries employed 142 people, Education 141 people, Health Care and
Social Assistance services 110 people and the Construction trades 107 people.
Tables 2 and 3 show industry employment by age and gender. Males are most
often employed in the mining sector and females in the Accommodation and
Food Services industry sectors.
Tables 4 through 5 show the occupations of people working in the West Coast
Municipality. The largest occupational group were Technicians and Trade
Workers (395 people), Machinery Operators and Drivers (374 people) and
Labourers (342 people). Males were most often employed in Technicians and
Trade Workers (343 males), Machinery Operators and Drivers (362 males) and
Labourers (155 males). Females were most often employed as Community and
Personal Service workers (148 females).
Tables 6 and 7 show the marital status of the usual working population. There
were 1698 married people and 1427 people who have never been married.
The employment status of West Coast usual residents is shown in Tables 8, 9
and 10. The majority of the labour force is employed full time (1299 people) and
583 people are employed part time. Further details of the working population are
discussed in the section on the social and demographic characteristics of West
Coast localities.
Tables 11 and 12 show the highest qualification gained. A certificate III and IV
was the highest qualification for 699 people and Bachelors degree was held by
180 people. Both males and females most often held a certificate III & IV
qualification (556 males and 143 females).
2
Cdata Usual Residence Profile, Working Population Profile and Expanded Community Profile
census data. The Work Lab is a licensed Cdata and SIEFA data user.
3 http://taspop.tasbis.com
11
Table 1: Industry Employed By Age ( Person)
Agriculture, forestry & fishing
Mining
Manufacturing
Electricity, gas, water & waste services
Construction
Wholesale trade
Retail trade
Accommodation & food services
Transport, postal & warehousing
Information media & telecommunications
Financial & insurance services
Rental, hiring & real estate services
Professional, scientific & technical services
Administrative & support services
Public administration & safety
Education & training
Health care & social assistance
Arts & recreation services
Other services
Inadequately described/Not stated
Total
15-19
years
20-24
years
3
10
12
0
9
3
19
25
6
0
0
0
3
6
6
0
3
3
3
8
49
17
3
6
0
12
28
10
0
0
0
4
7
10
22
3
0
3
0
111
25-34
years
PERSONS
35-44
years
45-54
years
55-64
years
65-74
years
75-84
years
85 years
and over
Total
14
113
30
3
17
3
27
69
17
3
5
0
14
6
14
35
7
0
19
17
156
31
8
36
6
41
72
32
5
6
0
3
14
25
27
32
0
9
16
127
12
9
23
0
20
93
32
0
0
0
3
17
29
38
37
11
18
10
53
9
0
10
6
20
56
20
0
0
0
7
6
19
16
15
4
9
0
0
3
0
6
0
3
6
3
0
0
0
3
6
0
3
3
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
68
508
114
23
107
18
142
353
120
8
11
0
37
62
103
141
100
18
64
10
10
11
8
13
3
0
3
58
192
406
531
493
273
42
4
3
2,055
Table 2: Industry Employed by Age and Gender (Females)
Agriculture, forestry & fishing
Mining
Manufacturing
Electricity, gas, water & waste services
Construction
Wholesale trade
Retail trade
Accommodation & food services
Transport, postal & warehousing
Information media & telecommunications
Financial & insurance services
Rental, hiring & real estate services
Professional, scientific & technical services
Administrative & support services
Public administration & safety
Education & training
Health care & social assistance
Arts & recreation services
Other services
Inadequately described/Not stated
Total
15-19
years
20-24
years
25-34
years
35-44
years
45-54
55-64
years
years
FEMALES
65-74
years
75-84
years
85 years
and over
Total
0
3
3
0
0
3
14
20
3
0
0
0
0
3
3
0
3
0
3
3
8
0
0
0
0
6
17
6
0
0
0
0
4
5
14
0
0
3
3
18
4
0
4
0
23
44
10
3
5
0
5
3
8
28
7
0
3
3
11
3
0
3
3
31
62
11
5
6
0
0
7
9
21
27
0
0
3
10
6
0
0
0
17
69
13
0
0
0
0
14
17
30
29
6
7
0
3
3
0
0
3
10
30
3
0
0
0
3
3
3
12
15
4
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
12
53
19
0
7
9
101
245
46
8
11
0
8
37
45
105
81
10
22
0
3
3
3
3
7
3
0
0
22
58
69
171
205
224
102
12
0
0
841
13
Table 3: Industry Employed by Age and Gender (Males)
15-19
20-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65-74
75-84
years
years
years
years
years
years
MALES
years
years
85 years
and over
Total
Agriculture, forestry & fishing
Mining
Manufacturing
Electricity, gas, water & waste services
Construction
Wholesale trade
Retail trade
Accommodation & food services
Transport, postal & warehousing
Information media & telecommunications
Financial & insurance services
Rental, hiring & real estate services
Professional, scientific & technical services
Administrative & support services
Public administration & safety
Education & training
Health care & social assistance
Arts & recreation services
Other services
3
7
9
0
9
0
5
5
3
0
0
0
3
3
3
0
0
3
0
5
41
17
3
6
0
6
11
4
0
0
0
4
3
5
8
3
0
0
11
95
26
3
13
3
4
25
7
0
0
0
9
3
6
7
0
0
16
14
145
28
8
33
3
10
10
21
0
0
0
3
7
16
6
5
0
9
13
117
6
9
23
0
3
24
19
0
0
0
3
3
12
8
8
5
11
10
50
6
0
10
3
10
26
17
0
0
0
4
3
16
4
0
0
6
0
0
3
0
6
0
3
3
3
0
0
0
3
3
0
3
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
56
455
95
23
100
9
41
108
74
0
0
0
29
25
58
36
19
8
42
Inadequately described/Not stated
0
7
7
8
5
6
0
0
3
36
53
123
235
326
269
171
30
4
3
1,214
Total
14
Table 4:Occupational Groups By Age and Gender ( Males and Females)
Managers
Professionals
Community
Clerical &
Machinery
Inadequately
Technicians &
& personal
administrative
Sales
operators
trades workers
service workers
workers
workers
& drivers
Labourers
Not stated
described/
Total
MALES
15-19 years
0
5
28
0
0
0
7
12
0
52
20-24 years
4
11
31
10
3
4
41
23
0
127
25-34 years
16
19
74
16
3
0
72
26
6
232
35-44 years
36
24
95
14
4
0
108
39
7
327
45-54 years
44
24
67
8
9
0
76
31
5
264
55-64 years
32
6
40
7
3
4
52
19
8
171
65-74 years
5
3
8
0
3
0
3
5
3
30
75-84 years
3
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
3
9
85 years and over
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
140
92
343
55
25
8
362
155
32
1,212
15-19 years
0
0
6
FEMALES
12
12
17
0
10
0
57
20-24 years
4
17
5
18
8
8
0
11
0
71
25-34 years
13
36
10
30
35
14
0
27
4
169
35-44 years
24
24
5
37
35
27
3
50
0
205
45-54 years
34
16
18
40
34
18
3
58
9
230
55-64 years
15
7
8
8
21
8
3
28
0
98
65-74 years
0
0
0
3
0
3
3
3
0
12
75-84 years
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
85 years and over
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
90
100
52
148
145
95
12
187
13
842
Total
Total
15
Table 5: Occupational Groups By Age (Persons)
Community
Managers
Professionals
Technicians
&
trades
workers
& personal
service workers
Clerical &
administrati
ve
workers
Machinery
Inadequately
Sales
operators
described/
workers
& drivers
Labourers
Not stated
Total
PERSONS
15-19 years
20-24 years
25-34 years
35-44 years
45-54 years
55-64 years
65-74 years
75-84 years
85 years
and over
Total
0
8
29
60
78
47
5
3
5
28
55
48
40
13
3
0
34
36
84
100
85
48
8
0
12
28
46
51
48
15
3
0
12
11
38
39
43
24
3
0
17
12
14
27
18
12
3
0
7
41
72
111
79
55
6
3
22
34
53
89
89
47
8
0
0
0
10
7
14
8
3
3
109
198
401
532
494
269
42
9
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
230
192
395
203
170
103
374
342
45
2,054
16
Table 6: Age By Registered Marital Status by Gender ( Males and Females)
Married(a)
Separated
Divorced
Widowed
Never married
Total
MALES
15-19 years
0
0
0
0
149
149
20-24 years
3
0
0
0
149
152
25-34 years
70
3
15
0
211
299
35-44 years
201
24
44
0
156
425
45-54 years
207
25
51
4
79
366
55-64 years
212
21
59
7
46
345
65-74 years
115
15
32
17
29
208
75-84 years
40
5
6
19
7
77
6
0
0
6
0
12
854
93
207
53
826
2,033
0
0
0
0
135
135
85 years and over
Total
FEMALES
15-19 years
20-24 years
9
0
0
0
124
133
25-34 years
127
10
10
5
185
337
35-44 years
197
26
38
9
95
365
45-54 years
220
15
58
15
43
351
55-64 years
188
13
30
28
15
274
65-74 years
90
4
16
57
4
171
75-84 years
10
0
4
49
0
63
3
3
0
27
0
33
844
71
156
190
601
1,862
85 years and over
Total
17
Table 7: Age by Registered Marital Status by Persons
Married(a)
Separated
15-19 years
0
0
0
20-24 years
12
0
0
25-34 years
197
13
35-44 years
398
50
45-54 years
427
55-64 years
65-74 years
75-84 years
85 years and over
Total
Divorced
Widowed
PERSONS
Never married
Total
0
284
284
0
273
285
25
5
396
636
82
9
251
790
40
109
19
122
717
400
34
89
35
61
619
205
19
48
74
33
379
50
5
10
68
7
140
9
3
0
33
0
45
1,698
164
363
243
1,427
3,895
18
Table 8: Employment Status by Age (Persons)
15-19
20-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
years
years
years
years
years
53
55
0
0
108
137
40
14
6
197
271
97
22
13
403
343
148
25
17
533
306
142
33
13
494
19
10
29
26
3
29
33
11
44
27
12
39
Total labour force
137
226
447
Not in the labour force
Labour force status not stated
132
17
57
5
Total
286
288
Employed, worked:
Full-time(a)
Part-time
Employed, away from work(b)
Hours worked not stated
Total
Unemployed, looking for:
Full-time work
Part-time work
Total
55-64
65-74
75-84
85 years
years
years
and over
Total
166
80
20
6
272
19
15
0
4
38
4
3
0
0
7
0
3
0
0
3
1,299
583
114
59
2,055
21
7
28
20
8
28
0
3
3
0
0
0
0
4
4
146
58
204
572
522
300
41
7
7
2,259
161
26
178
38
168
29
299
23
297
36
114
17
37
5
1,443
196
634
788
719
622
374
138
49
3,898
years
PERSONS
19
Table 9: Employment Status by Age and Gender (Males & Females)
15-19
20-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65-74
75-84
85 years
years
years
years
years
years
years
MALES
years
years
and over
Total
Full-time(a)
38
105
191
276
217
125
19
4
0
975
Part-time
14
12
23
21
30
31
11
3
3
148
Employed, away from work(b)
0
4
11
12
16
10
0
0
0
53
Hours worked not stated
0
3
8
17
5
6
0
0
0
39
52
124
233
326
268
172
30
7
3
1,215
Full-time work
10
18
22
21
17
15
0
0
0
103
Part-time work
5
0
3
6
3
5
3
0
0
25
15
18
25
27
20
20
3
0
0
128
Total labour force
67
142
258
353
288
192
33
7
3
1,343
Not in the labour force
67
8
31
44
61
140
153
59
12
575
Labour force status not stated
13
5
12
26
17
13
21
8
0
115
147
155
301
423
366
345
207
74
15
2,033
Employed, worked:
Total
Unemployed, looking for:
Total
Total
20
Table 10: Employment Status by Age and Gender (Males & Females) continued…
15-19
20-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65-74
75-84
85 years
years
years
years
years
years
years
MALES
years
years
and over
Total
FEMALES
Employed, worked:
Full-time(a)
15
32
80
67
89
41
0
0
0
324
Part-time
41
28
74
127
112
49
4
0
0
435
0
10
11
13
17
10
0
0
0
61
Employed, away from work(b)
Hours worked not stated
0
3
5
0
8
0
4
0
0
20
56
73
170
207
226
100
8
0
0
840
Full-time work
9
8
11
6
4
5
0
0
0
43
Part-time work
5
3
8
6
4
3
0
0
4
33
14
11
19
12
8
8
0
0
4
76
Total labour force
70
84
189
219
234
108
8
0
4
916
Not in the labour force
65
49
130
134
107
159
144
55
25
868
4
0
14
12
12
10
15
9
5
81
139
133
333
365
353
277
167
64
34
1,865
Total
Unemployed, looking for:
Total
Labour force status not stated
Total
21
Table 11: Highest Qualification by Age (Persons)
Postgraduate Degree
Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate
Bachelor Degree
Advanced Diploma and Diploma
Certificate:
Certificate nfd
Certificate III & IV(c)
Certificate I & II(d)
Total
Level of education inadequately described
Level of education not stated
Total
1524
years
2534
years
3544
years
3
0
29
7
0
61
7
0
46
7
6
28
3
8
6
3
17
37
33
4
54
22
80
10
149
8
167
14
176
10
200
0
6
47
162
45-54
55-64
65-74
75-84
85 years
years
years
years
PERSONS
years
and over
Total
0
0
10
0
0
0
0
0
0
27
14
180
22
5
0
4
121
10
148
6
164
5
104
3
112
9
55
0
64
0
13
0
13
0
0
0
0
52
699
49
800
11
9
8
3
0
0
37
51
68
58
71
70
36
17
418
309
369
305
230
152
49
21
1,597
(a) Excludes schooling up to Year 12.
(b) Excludes persons with a qualification out of the scope of the Australian Standard Classification of Education (ASCED).
(c) Includes 'Certificate III & IV, nfd'.
(d) Includes 'Certificate I & II, nfd'.
22
Table 12: Highest Qualification by Age and Gender (Males & Females)
Postgraduate Degree
Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate
Bachelor Degree
Advanced Diploma and Diploma
1524
2534
3544
4554
5564
6574
75-84
85 years
years
years
years
years
years
0
4
4
years
years
and over
Total
4
MALES
0
0
0
0
12
0
0
0
3
3
0
0
0
6
11
20
23
15
6
3
0
0
78
0
7
15
11
10
5
0
0
48
Certificate:
Certificate nfd
0
4
0
6
5
3
0
0
18
Certificate III & IV(c)
36
102
144
117
89
55
13
0
556
Certificate I & II(d)
14
0
5
0
3
0
0
0
22
Total
50
106
149
123
97
58
13
0
596
0
3
7
0
0
3
0
0
13
Level of education not stated
31
23
38
34
41
32
17
6
222
Total
92
163
236
190
157
101
30
6
975
Level of education inadequately described
23
Table 12: Highest Qualification by Age and Gender (Males & Females) continued…
Postgraduate Degree
Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate
1524
2534
3544
4554
5564
years
years
years
years
3
3
3
3
3
6574
75-84
85 years
years
and over
Total
0
0
0
15
years years
FEMALES
0
0
0
3
5
0
0
0
8
18
41
23
13
0
7
0
0
102
3
10
22
22
12
0
0
4
73
4
6
14
4
0
6
0
0
34
18
47
32
31
15
0
0
0
143
8
8
5
6
0
0
0
0
27
30
61
51
41
15
6
0
0
204
0
3
4
9
8
0
0
0
24
Level of education not stated
16
28
30
24
30
38
19
11
196
Total
70
146
133
115
73
51
19
15
622
Bachelor Degree
Advanced Diploma and Diploma
Certificate:
Certificate nfd
Certificate III & IV(c)
Certificate I & II(d)
Total
Level of education inadequately described
(a) Excludes schooling up to Year 12.
(b) Excludes persons with a qualification out of the scope of the Australian Standard Classification of Education (ASCED).
(c) Includes 'Certificate III & IV, nfd'.
(d) Includes 'Certificate I & II, nfd'.
24
Social and Demographic Characteristics of West Coast Suburbs
Tasmania’s West Coast consists of 5 localities, namely Queenstown, Strahan,
Roseberry, Tullah and Zeehan. There were 4829 people living in the west coast
municipality at the time of the 2006 census which is approximately 1.0 % of the
Tasmanian population.
This section summarises key characteristics of West Coast localities; namely population
size, employment patterns, family composition and workers’ skills and training.
Queenstown
The following data snap shot was derived from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Usual
Resident 2006 Census data.
Population Snapshot
 Queenstown has a population of approximately 2116 ‘usual residents’.
 Queenstown has approximately 1366 people aged between 15-64 years.
Employment Snapshot
 The total labour force is comprised of 922 people working either full or part-time
or unemployed.
 Approximately 617 people of working age (15-64 years) are not in the labour
force.
 Approximately 58% of males and 42% of females are working either full or part
time.
 76.4% of males work full-time and 14.5% part-time.
 23.5% of females work full-time and 85% part-time.
 The largest occupational group was employed as Technical and Trade Workers
with 22.7%, machinery Operators and Drivers with 17.7%, Labourers (14.8%)
and Managers (10.1%).
 The Metal Ore mining industry employees 45.5% of males of working age (15-64
years). The construction industry employed 8.1% of males working age (15-64).
 24.2% of working age females (15-64 years) is employed in the Accommodation
and food services industry. The retail trade industry employed 14.2% of female’s
age (15-64 years).
 The largest industry was the metal Ore Mining with an employment population of
17.0%. Approximately 45% of working males and 4.2% of working females were
employed within this industry sector.
 The next largest industries were Other Mining Support Services (11.4%), and
Accommodation (7.4%).
 The most common income range for males aged 15 years and over was $150$249 per week (16.3%) followed by $1,000-$1,299 per week (11.4%). The most
common income range for females was $250-$399 per week (21.5%) followed by
$150-$249 per week (21.2%).
Skills and Training Snapshot
 344 people had obtained a postsecondary school qualification; this was most
often at the certificate level (51.1%).
 Approximately 21.3 % of post secondary school qualification holders had
obtained a higher degree.
Family Composition and Housing Snapshot
 59.7% of people were married or and 40.2% had never married.
 42.9% of couples families had no children , followed by 34% with children aged
less than 15 years and without non dependent children
 10.1% of one parent families had children aged less than 15 years and without
non dependent children, followed by 5.9% with non-dependent children.
 There were 1088 dwellings in Queenstown in 2006. Of these 92.6% were
detached houses, and 6.5% were flats and 0.9% were other dwellings
 Of the 903 occupied dwellings, 51.3% were fully owned, 16.9% were being
purchased and 24.7% were rented.
 Median monthly housing repayment on mortgage dwellings was $477 per-month.
 Median rental payments were $100 per week in 2006.
Selected Summary Tables
The following tables provide a comparison of Queenstown, Tasmania and Australian
demographic trends.

On census night in Queenstown there were 480 children aged between 0-14
years, 237 persons aged between15-24 years, 867 persons aged between 25-54
years and 262 persons aged 55 years and over (Table 13).
26
Table 13
COMPARISON OF QUEENSTOWN, TASMANIA
AUSTRALIAN DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS
%
AGE
of
total
%
of
total
%
AND
of
Queenstown
persons
Tasmania
persons
Australia
persons
134
for the Region
6.3%
28,663
for Tasmania
6.0%
1,260,405
Australia
6.3%
5-14 years
346
16.3%
65,359
13.7%
2,676,807
13.5%
15-24
years
237
11.2%
61,768
13.0%
2,704,276
13.6%
25-54
years
867
41.0%
190,969
40.1%
8,376,751
42.2%
55-64
years
262
12.4%
58,581
12.3%
2,192,675
11.0%
65 years
and over
270
12.8%
71,141
14.9%
2,644,374
13.3%
0-4 years
When Compared with Tasmania and Australia Wide Census Data:

22.6% of the population of Queenstown were aged between 0-14 years, slightly
higher than the state (19.7%) and national figure (19.8%).

The percentage of people in Queenstown aged 55 years and over (25.2%) is also
slightly lower than the state (27.2%) but higher than the national figure (24.3%)

41.0% of the population of Queenstown were aged between 25-54 years,
considerably higher than the state (40.1%) but lower than the national figure
(42.2%)
During the week prior to census night 922 people in Queenstown were in the labour
force. Of these 59.4% were employed full-time, 23.9% were employed part-time, 3.5%
were employed but did not state their hours worked and 8.9% were unemployed. 617
people aged 15 years and over were not in the labour force (Table 14).
27
total
for
When compared with Tasmania and Australia wide census data:

The rate of unemployment (8.9%) in Queenstown is considerably higher than the
state, (6.6%) and national figure (5.2%)

In contrast, the percentage of people employed full-time (59.4%) in Queenstown
is substantially lower than the state (56.0%) and national figure (60.7%).
Table 14
COMPARISON OF QUEENSTOWN
AUSTRALIAN LABOUR FORCE
,TASMANIA
% of persons
% of persons in
in the labour
the labour force
LABOUR FORCE
(15
years
and
% of persons in
Queens
the labour force
force for the
over)
AND
Tasmania
for Tasmania
Australia
town
for Australia
Region
Total labour force
(includes employed
and
unemployed
persons)
Employed full-time
Employed part-time
Employed
from work
away
Employed
not stated
hours
Unemployed
Not in labour force
9,607,987
-
-
219,162
-
548
59.4%
122,816
56.0%
5,827,432
60.7%
220
23.9%
67,384
30.7%
2,685,193
27.9%
40
4.3%
8,997
4.1%
337,991
3.5%
32
3.5%
5,543
2.5%
253,567
2.6%
82
8.9 %
14,422
6.6%
503,804
5.2%
617
-
143,104
-
5,271,116
5.2%
922
In Queenstown, the most common occupations for employed persons were Technicians
and Trade Workers 22.7% of people, followed by Machinery Operators and Drivers
(17.7%) and Labourers 14.8% (Table 15).
When compared with Tasmania and Australia wide census data:
28

Technicians and Trade Workers (22.7%) in Queenstown were considerably
higher than the state (14.6%) and national figure (14.4%).

Machine operators and Drivers in Queenstown were significantly higher than the
state (7.1%) and national figure (6.6%)

Labourers (14.8%) were slightly higher than the state (12.5%) but lower than the
national figure (10.5%)
Table 15
COMPARISON
OF
QUEENSTOWN,
AUSTRALIAN OCCUPATIONS
OCCUPATION
(15 years and over)
TASMANIA
AND
% of persons
% of persons
% of persons
aged 15 years
aged 15 years
aged 15 years
Queen
and over for
Tasmania
and over for
Australia
and over for
stown
the Region
Labourer
Tasmania
952,520
10.5%
1,309,258
14.4%
1,365,805
15.0%
1,202,267
13.2%
604,616
6.6%
9.9%
896,208
9.8%
20,460
10.0%
801,906
8.8%
35,891
17.5%
1,806,010
19.8%
124
14.8%
25,570
12.5%
191
22.7%
29,958
14.6%
Clerical
and
Administrative workers
76
9.0%
28,655
14.0%
Managers
85
10.1%
26,293
12.8%
149
17.7%
14,581
7.1%
51
6.1%
20,302
68
8.1%
83
9.8%
Technical
Workers
and
Machinery
and Drivers
Trade
Operators
Sales Workers
Community
Personal
Workers
and
Service
Professionals
Australia
The most common industries in Queenstown were Metal Ore Mining 17.0%, Other
Mining Support 11.4%, Accommodation 7.4% and School Education 6.5 %,( Table 16).
When compared with Tasmania and Australia wide census data:

The 4 major industries in Queenstown where all found to be higher than the state
and national figures. In particular :
29

Employments in Queenstown were Metal Ore Mining (17.0%) was significantly
higher than the national figure (0.4%).

Employments in Other Mining Support 11.4% was significantly higher than the
national figure (0.1%)

Employments in Accommodation 7.4% industry in Queenstown was considerably
higher than the national figure (1.3%)

Employments in the Education 6.5 % in Queenstown were also considerably
higher than the state figure (5.4%) and the national figure (4.5%).
Table 16
COMPARISON
OF
QUEENSTOWN,
TASMANIA
AND
AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRIES OF EMPLOYMENT (15 years and
over)
MAIN RESPONSES
IN SELECTED
REGION
Metal Ore Mining
Other Mining Support
Services
School Education
Accommodation
Cafes,
Restaurants
and Take Away Food
Services
Queenstown
143
96
55
62
29
% of persons
% of persons
% of persons
aged 15 years
aged 15 years
aged 15 years
and over for the
Tasmania
and over for
Australia
and over for
Region
17.0%
-
Tasmania
-
34,838
Australia
0.4%
11.4%
-
-
141,325
0.1%
6.5%
11,081
5.4%
414,214
4.5%
7.4%
-
-
117,705
1.3%
3.5%
7,329
3.6%
328,521
3.6%
30
Roseberry
The following data snap shot was derived from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Usual
Resident 2006 Census data.
Population Snapshot
 Roseberry has a population of approximately 1033 ‘usual residents’.
 Roseberry has approximately 718 people aged between 15-64 years.
Employment Snapshot
 The total labour force is comprised of 446 people working either full or part-time
or unemployed.
 Approximately 321 people of working age (15-64 years) are not in the labour
force.
 Approximately 52.1% of males and 34.2% of females are working either full or
part time.
 46.4% of males work full-time and 5.6% part-time.
 15.3% of females work full-time and 18.5% part-time.
 The largest occupational group employed are Machinery Operators and Drivers
with 26.5%, Technical and Trade Workers with 19.9%, Labourers (14.4%) and
Professionals (12.9%).
 The Metal Ore mining industry employees 58.7% of males of between the
working age of (15-64 years). The manufacturing industry employed 7.9% of
males working age between (15-64).
 16.5% of working age females (15-64 years) is employed in the Education and
Training industry. The Accommodation and Food services industry employed
15.9% of female’s age between (15-64 years).
 The largest industry was the metal Ore Mining with an employment population of
34.3%. Approximately 58.7% of working males and 10.1% of working females
were employed within this industry sector.
 The next largest industries were School Education (8.1%), and Accommodation
(5.1%).
 The most common income range for males aged 15 years and over was $150$249 per week (20.5%) followed by $1,300-$1,599 per week (12.9%). The most
common income range for females was $150-$249 per week (26.2%) followed by
$250-$399 per week (17.6%).
31
Skills and Training Snapshot
 161 people had obtained a postsecondary school qualification; this was most
often at the certificate level (49.5%).
 Approximately 24.6 % of post secondary school qualification holders had
obtained a higher degree.
Family Composition and Housing Snapshot
 42.6 % of people were married or and 39.7% had never married.
 40.8% of couples families had no children , followed by 8.9% with children aged
less than 15 years and without non dependent children
 10.4% of one parent families had children aged less than 15 years and without
non dependent children, followed by 3.3% with non-dependent children.
 There were 612 dwellings in Roseberry in 2006. Of these 90.1% were detached
houses, 1.1% were semi-detached house , 7.7% were flats and 1.0% were other
dwellings
 Of the 444 occupied dwellings, 42.8% were fully owned, 20.7% were being
purchased and 30.4% were rented.
 Median monthly housing repayment on mortgage dwellings was $433 per-month.
 Median rental payments were $85 per week in 2006.
Selected Summary Tables
The following tables provide a comparison of Roseberry, Tasmania and Australian
demographic trends.

On census night in Roseberry there were 239 children aged between 0-14 years,
136 persons aged between15-24 years, 416 persons aged between 25-54 years
and 197 persons aged 55 years and over (Table 17).
When Compared with Tasmania and Australia Wide Census Data:

22.6% of the population of Roseberry were aged between 0-14 years, slightly
higher than the state (19.7%) and national figure (19.8%).

The percentage of people in Roseberry aged 55 years and over (19.1%) is also
significantly lower than the state (27.2%) and the national figure (24.3%)
32
Table 17
COMPARISON OF ROSEBERRY, TASMANIA
AUSTRALIAN DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS
% of total
AGE
Roseberry
persons
% of total
Tasmania
persons
84
for the Region
8.1%
155
AND
% of total
Australia
persons for
28,663
for Tasmania
6.0%
1,260,405
Australia
6.3%
15.0%
65,359
13.7%
2,676,807
13.5%
136
13.2%
61,768
13.0%
2,704,276
13.6%
461
44.7%
190,969
40.1%
8,376,751
42.2%
121
11.7%
58,581
12.3%
2,192,675
11.0%
76
7.4%
71,141
14.9%
2,644,374
13.3%
0-4 years
5-14
years
15-24
years
25-54
years
55-64
years
65 years
and over

44.7% of the population of Roseberry were aged between 25-54 years,
considerably higher than the state (40.1%) and the national figure (42.2%)
During the week prior to census night 446 people in Roseberry were in the labour force.
Of these 59.6% were employed full-time, 23.3% were employed part-time, 1.8% were
employed but did not state their hours worked and 11.2 % were unemployed. 321 people
aged 15 years and over were not in the labour force (Table 18).
33
Table 18
COMPARISON
OF
ROSEBERRY
AUSTRALIAN LABOUR FORCE
,TASMANIA
% of persons
% of persons in
in the labour
the labour force
LABOUR FORCE
(15 years and
% of persons in
Rosebe
the labour force
force for the
over)
AND
Tasmania
for Tasmania
Australia
rry
for Australia
Region
Total labour force
(includes employed
and
unemployed
persons)
Employed full-time
Employed part-time
Employed
from work
away
Employed
not stated
hours
Unemployed
Not in labour force
9,607,987
-
-
219,162
-
266
59.6%
122,816
56.0%
5,827,432
60.7%
104
23.3%
67,384
30.7%
2,685,193
27.9%
18
4.0%
8,997
4.1%
337,991
3.5%
8
1.8%
5,543
2.5%
253,567
2.6%
50
11.2 %
14,422
6.6%
503,804
5.2%
321
-
143,104
-
5,271,116
5.2%
446
When compared with Tasmania and Australia wide census data:

The rate of unemployment (11.2%) in Roseberry is considerably higher than the
state, (6.6%) and national figure (5.2%)

In contrast, the percentage of people employed full-time (59.4%) in Roseberry is
substantially higher than the state (56.0%) but lower than the national figure
(60.7%).
In Roseberry, the most common occupations for employed persons were Machine
Operators and Drivers (26.5%) followed by Technical and Trade workers (19.9%) and
Labourer with 14.4%. (Table 19).
When compared with Tasmania and Australia wide census data:
34

Machine Operators and Drivers (26.5%) in Roseberry were significantly higher
than the state (7.1%) and national figure (6.6%).

Technical and Trade workers (19.9%) in Roseberry were significantly higher than
the state (14.6%) and national figure (14.4%)

Labourers (14.4%) were slightly higher than the state (12.5%) but lower than the
national figure (10.5%)
Table 19
COMPARISON
OF
ROSEBERRY,
AUSTRALIAN OCCUPATIONS
OCCUPATION
(15 years and over)
Roseberry
AND
% of persons
% of persons
% of persons
aged 15 years
aged 15 years
aged 15 years
and over for
Tasmania
the Region
and over for
Australia
Tasmania
Labourer
57
14.4%
25,570
12.5%
Technical and Trade
Workers
Clerical
and
Administrative
workers
79
19.9%
29,958
14.6%
6.3%
28,655
14.0%
Managers
29
Machinery Operators
and Drivers
25
TASMANIA
and over for
Australia
952,520
10.5%
1,309,258
14.4%
1,365,805
15.0%
1,202,267
13.2%
604,616
6.6%
7.3%
26,293
12.8%
105
26.5%
14,581
7.1%
Sales Workers
12
3.0%
20,302
9.9%
896,208
9.8%
Community
and
Personal
Service
Workers
42
10.6%
20,460
10.0%
801,906
8.8%
Professionals
51
12.9%
35,891
17.5%
1,806,010
19.8%
The most common industries in Roseberry were Metal Ore Mining (34.3%) School
Education (8.1%), Accommodation (5.1%) and Road Freight Transport, Building
Cleaning, Pest control and Gardening Services (3.8%), (Table 20).
When compared with Tasmania and Australia wide census data:
35

The 4 major industries in Roseberry where all found to be higher than the state
and national figures. In particular;

Employments in Roseberry were Metal Ore Mining (34.3%) was significantly
higher than the national figure (0.4%).

Employment in Education 8.1% in Roseberry was also considerably higher than
the state figure (5.4%) and the national figure (4.5%).

Employment in Accommodation 5.1% industry in Roseberry was considerably
higher than the national figure (1.3%)

Employment in the Road Freight Transport, Building Cleaning, Pest control and
Gardening Services (3.8%) industry in Roseberry was considerably higher than
the national figure (1.8%)
Table 20
COMPARISON OF ROSEBERRY, TASMANIA AND AUSTRALIAN
INDUSTRIES OF EMPLOYMENT (15 years and over)
MAIN RESPONSES
IN SELECTED
REGION
Metal Ore Mining
School Education
Accommodation
Road Freight
Transport, Building
Cleaning, Pest control
and Gardening
Services
Roseberry
136
32
20
15
% of persons
% of persons
% of persons
aged 15 years
aged 15 years
aged 15 years
and over for the
Tasmania
and over for
Australia
and over for
Region
34.3%
-
Tasmania
-
34,838
Australia
0.4%
8.1%
11,081
5.4%
414,214
4.5%
5.1%
-
-
117,705
1.3%
3.8%
-
-
162,448
1.8%
36
Strahan
The following data snap shot was derived from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Usual
Resident 2006 Census data.
Population Snapshot
 Strahan has a population of approximately 640 ‘usual residents’.
 Strahan has approximately 429 people aged between 15-64 years.
Employment Snapshot
 The total labour force is comprised of 355 people working either full or part-time.
 Approximately 152 people of working age (15-64 years) are not in the labour
force.
 Approximately 64.9% of males and 48.6% of females are working either full or
part time.
 71.2% of males work full-time and 28.7% part-time.
 39.3% of females work full-time and 60.6% part-time.
 The largest occupational group was employed as Labourer with (20.5%),
Managers with (18.4%), Community and Personal Service Workers (14.0%) and
Technical and Trade Workers (12.3%)
 The Accommodation and Services industry employees 24.6% of males of
working age (15-64 years).The Agriculture, Forestry and fishing industry
employed 20.5% of males working age (15-64).
 (46.9%) of working age females (15-64 years) is employed in the
Accommodation and food services industry. The retail trade industry employed
(8.7%) of female’s age (15-64 years).
 The largest industry was Accommodation with an employment population of (28.1
%.) Approximately (24.6%) of working males and 46.9% of working females were
employed within this industry sector.
 The next largest industries were Aquaculture (7.6%), and Scenic and Sightseeing
Transport (4.7%).
 The most common income range for males aged 15 years and over was $400$599 per week (16.0%) followed by $150-$249 per week (11.4%). The most
common income range for females was $150-$249 per week (22.1%) followed by
$250-$399 per week (19%).
37
Skills and Training Snapshot
 82 people had obtained a postsecondary school qualification; this was most often
at the certificate level (57.7%).
 Approximately (9.1 %) of post secondary school qualification holders had
obtained a higher degree.
Family Composition and Housing Snapshot
 48% of people were married or and 32.4% had never married.
 52.1% of couples families had no children , followed by 29% with children aged
less than 15 years and without non dependent children
 4.3% of one parent families had children aged less than 15 years and without
non dependent children, followed by 6.9% with non-dependent children.
 There were 439 dwellings in Strahan in 2006. Of these 87% were detached
houses, and 9.4% were flats and 3.6 % were other dwellings
 Of the 308 occupied dwellings, 32.1% were fully owned, 20.1% were being
purchased and 34.4% were rented.
 Median monthly housing repayment on mortgage dwellings was $1300 permonth.
 Median rental payments were $100 per week in 2006.
Selected Summary Tables
The following tables provide a comparison of Strahan, Tasmania and Australian
demographic trends.

On census night in Strahan there were 113 children aged between 0-14 years, 70
persons aged between 15-24 years, 289 persons aged between 25-54 years and
168 persons aged 55 years and over (Table 21).
When Compared with Tasmania and Australia Wide Census Data:

17.7% of the population of Strahan were aged between 0-14 years, slightly lower
than the state (19.7%) and national figure (19.8%).

The percentage of people in Strahan aged 55 years and over (26.4%) is also
slightly lower than the state (27.2%) but higher than the national figure (24.3%)
38

45.3% of the population of Strahan were aged between 25-54 years,
considerably higher than the state (40.1%) but lower than the national figure
(42.2%)
During the week prior to census night 355 people in Strahan were in the labour force. Of
these 48.5% were employed full-time, 36.6% were employed part-time, 2.5% were
employed but did not state their hours worked and 3.7% were unemployed. 152 people
aged 15 years and over were not in the labour force (Table 22).
Table 21
COMPARISON
OF
STRAHAN,
TASMANIA
AUSTRALIAN DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS
% of total
AGE
% of total
AND
% of total
Strahan
persons
Tasmania
persons
Australia
persons for
28
for the Region
4.4%
28,663
for Tasmania
6.0%
1,260,405
Australia
6.3%
85
13.3%
65,359
13.7%
2,676,807
13.5%
70
11.0%
61,768
13.0%
2,704,276
13.6%
289
45.3%
190,969
40.1%
8,376,751
42.2%
70
11.0%
58,581
12.3%
2,192,675
11.0%
98
15.4%
71,141
14.9%
2,644,374
13.3%
0-4 years
5-14
years
15-24
years
25-54
years
55-64
years
65 years
and over
When compared with Tasmania and Australia wide census data:

The rate of unemployment (3.7%) in Strahan is considerably lower than the state,
(6.6%) and national figure (5.2%)

In contrast, the percentage of people employed full-time (48.5%) in Strahan is
substantially lower than the state (56.0%) and national figure (60.7%).
39
Table 22
COMPARISON OF STRAHAN ,TASMANIA AND AUSTRALIAN
LABOUR FORCE
% of persons
% of persons in
in the labour
the labour force
LABOUR FORCE
% of persons in
(15 years and
the labour force
Strahan
force for the
Tasmania
for Tasmania
Australia
over)
for Australia
Region
Total labour force
(includes employed
and
unemployed
persons)
Employed full-time
Employed part-time
Employed
from work
away
Employed
not stated
hours
Unemployed
Not in labour force
9,607,987
-
-
219,162
-
172
48.5%
122,816
56.0%
5,827,432
60.7%
130
36.6%
67,384
30.7%
2,685,193
27.9%
31
8.7%
8,997
4.1%
337,991
3.5%
9
2.5%
5,543
2.5%
253,567
2.6%
13
3.7 %
14,422
6.6%
503,804
5.2%
152
-
143,104
-
5,271,116
5.2%
355
In Strahan, the most common occupations for employed persons were Labourer
(20.5%), Managers (18.4%), and Community and Personal Service Workers (14.0%).
(Table 23).
When compared with Tasmania and Australia wide census data:

Labourers (20.5%) in Strahan were significantly higher than the state (12.5%)
and national figure (10.5%).

Managers (18.4%) in Strahan were significantly higher than the state (12.8%)
and national figure (13.2%)

Community and Personal Service Workers (14.0%) were slightly higher than the
state (10.0%) and the national figure (8.8%)
40
Table 23
COMPARISON OF STRAHAN, TASMANIA AND AUSTRALIAN
OCCUPATIONS
OCCUPATION
(15 years and over)
% of
% of persons
persons
aged 15 years
% of persons
and over for
aged 15 years
aged 15
Strahan
Tasmania
years and
Tasmania
Australia
over for the
and over for
Australia
Region
Labourer
952,520
10.5%
1,309,258
14.4%
1,365,805
15.0%
1,202,267
13.2%
604,616
6.6%
9.9%
896,208
9.8%
20,460
10.0%
801,906
8.8%
35,891
17.5%
1,806,010
19.8%
70
20.5%
25,570
12.5%
Trade
42
12.3%
29,958
14.6%
Clerical
and
Administrative workers
29
8.5%
28,655
14.0%
Managers
63
18.4%
26,293
12.8%
27
7.9%
14,581
7.1%
21
6.1%
20,302
48
14.0%
34
9.9%
Technical
Workers
and
Machinery
and Drivers
Operators
Sales Workers
Community
Personal
Workers
and
Service
Professionals
The most common industries in Strahan were Accommodation (28.1%), Aquaculture
(7.6%), Scenic and Sightseeing Transport (4.7%) and Metal Ore Mining (4.1%) (Table
24).
When compared with Tasmania and Australia wide census data:

The 4 major industries in Strahan where all found to be higher than the state and
national figures. In particular;

Employments in Strahan were Accommodation (28.1%), was significantly higher
than the national figure (1.3%).
41

Employment in Aquaculture (7.6%) in Strahan was significantly higher than the
national figure (0.0%).

Employment in Scenic and Sightseeing Transport (4.7%) industry in Strahan was
considerably higher than the national figure (0.0%)

Employment in Metal Ore Mining (4.1%) industry in Strahan was considerably
higher than the national figure (0.4%)
Table 24
COMPARISON OF STRAHAN, TASMANIA AND AUSTRALIAN
INDUSTRIES OF EMPLOYMENT (15 years and over)
MAIN RESPONSES
IN SELECTED
REGION
Metal Ore Mining
Aquaculture
Scenic and
Sightseeing Transport
Accommodation
Fishing
Strahan
14
26
16
96
12
% of persons
% of persons
% of persons
aged 15 years
aged 15 years
aged 15 years
and over for the
Tasmania
and over for
Australia
and over for
Region
4.1%
-
Tasmania
-
34,838
Australia
0.4%
7.6%
-
-
3,360
0.0%
4.7%
-
-
4,523
0.0%
28.1%
-
-
117,705
1.3%
3,597
0.0%
3.5%
42
Tullah
The following data snap shot was derived from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Usual
Resident 2006 Census data.
Population Snapshot
 Tullah has a population of approximately 198 ‘usual residents’.
 Tullah has approximately 139 people aged between 15-64 years.
Employment Snapshot
 The total labour force is comprised of 85 people working either full or part-time or
unemployed.
 Approximately 70 people of working age (15-64 years) are not in the labour force.
 Approximately 53.9% of males and 39.1% of females are working either full or
part time.
 46.0% of males work full-time and 7.8% part-time.
 14.4% of females work full-time and 26.9% part-time.
 The largest occupational group employed are Technical and Trade Workers with
(20.0%), Labourers (17.5%) and Managers (10.0%).
 The Mining industry employees (33.3%) of males between the working age of
(15-64 years).The Electricity, gas, water and waste services industry employed
20.8% of males working age (15-64).
 The Accommodation and Food services industry employed 37% of female’s age
(15-64 years). Followed by the Mining industry with 29.6% females aged (15-64
years) employed.
 The largest industry was Accommodation with an employment population of
20.0%. Approximately 16.6% of working males and 29.6% of working females
were employed within this industry sector.
 The next largest industries were Metal Ore Mining (17.5%) and Electricity with
(12.5%).
 The most common income range for males aged 15 years and over was $150$249 per week (23.5%) followed by $250-$399 per week (15.7%). The most
common income range for females was $150-$249 per week (27.5%) followed by
$250-$399 per week (21.7%).
Skills and Training Snapshot
 20 people had obtained a postsecondary school qualification; this was most often
at the certificate level (45.4%).
43
 Approximately 13.6 % of post secondary school qualification holders had
obtained a higher degree.
Family Composition and Housing Snapshot
 46.9 % of people were married or and 30.6% had never married.
 54.9% of couples families had no children , followed by 33.3% with children aged
less than 15 years and without non dependent children
 11.8% of one parent families had children aged less than 15 years and without
non dependent children
 There were 167 dwellings in Tullah in 2006. Of these 96.8% were detached
houses, and 3.2% were other dwellings
 Of the 93 occupied dwellings, 53.8% were fully owned, 23.7% were being
purchased and 18.3% were rented.
 Median monthly housing repayment on mortgage dwellings was $542 per-month.
 Median rental payments were $95 per week in 2006.
Selected Summary Tables
The following tables provide a comparison of Tullah, Tasmania and Australian
demographic trends.

On census night in Tullah there were 38 children aged between 0-14 years, 21
persons aged between 15-24 years, 74 persons aged between 25-54 years and
65 persons aged 55 years and over (Table 25).
44
Table 25
COMPARISON OF TULLAH, TASMANIA AND AUSTRALIAN
DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS
% of total
AGE
% of total
% of total
Tullah
persons
Tasmania
persons
Australia
persons for
11
for the Region
5.6%
28,663
for Tasmania
6.0%
1,260,405
Australia
6.3%
27
13.8%
65,359
13.7%
2,676,807
13.5%
21
10.8%
61,768
13.0%
2,704,276
13.6%
74
37.9%
190,969
40.1%
8,376,751
42.2%
44
22.6%
58,581
12.3%
2,192,675
11.0%
21
10.8%
71,141
14.9%
2,644,374
13.3%
0-4 years
5-14
years
15-24
years
25-54
years
55-64
years
65 years
and over
When Compared with Tasmania and Australia Wide Census Data:

19.4% of the population of Tullah were aged between 0-14 years, slightly lower
than the state (19.7%) and national figure (19.8%).

The percentage of people in Tullah aged 55 years and over (33.4 %) is
significantly higher than the state (27.2%) and the national figure (24.3%)

37.9% of the population in Tullah were aged between 25-54 years, considerably
lower than the state (40.1%) but lower than the national figure (42.2%).
During the week prior to census night 85 people in Tullah were in the labour force. Of
these 64.7% were employed full-time, 25.9% were employed part-time, 3.5% were
employed but did not state their hours worked and 5.9% were unemployed. 70 people
aged 15 years and over were not in the labour force (Table 26).
45
Table 26
COMPARISON OF TULLAH ,TASMANIA AND AUSTRALIAN
LABOUR FORCE
% of persons
% of persons in
in the labour
the labour force
LABOUR FORCE
(15
years
% of persons in
and
the labour force
Tullah
force for the
Tasmania
for Tasmania
Australia
over)
for Australia
Region
Total labour force
(includes employed
and
unemployed
persons)
Employed full-time
Employed part-time
Employed
from work
away
Employed
not stated
hours
Unemployed
Not in labour force
9,607,987
-
-
219,162
-
55
64.7%
122,816
56.0%
5,827,432
60.7%
22
25.9%
67,384
30.7%
2,685,193
27.9%
0
0.0%
8,997
4.1%
337,991
3.5%
3
3.5%
5,543
2.5%
253,567
2.6%
5
5.9 %
14,422
6.6%
503,804
5.2%
70
-
143,104
-
5,271,116
5.2%
85
When compared with Tasmania and Australia wide census data:

The rate of unemployment (5.9%) in Tullah is considerably lower than the state,
(6.6%) but higher than national figure (5.2%)

In contrast, the percentage of people employed full-time (64.7%) in Tullah is
substantially higher than the state (56.0%) and national figure (60.7%).
In Tullah, the most common occupations for employed persons were Technical and
Trade Workers with (20.0%), Labourer (17.5%), Managers (10.0%) (Table 27).
46
Table 27
COMPARISON OF TULLAH, TASMANIA AND AUSTRALIAN
OCCUPATIONS
OCCUPATION
(15 years and over)
Tullah
% of persons
% of persons
% of persons
aged 15 years
aged 15 years
aged 15 years
and over for
Tasmania
the Region
Labourer
and over for
Tasmania
1,309,258
14.4%
1,365,805
15.0%
1,202,267
13.2%
604,616
6.6%
9.9%
896,208
9.8%
20,460
10.0%
801,906
8.8%
35,891
17.5%
1,806,010
19.8%
25,570
12.5%
16
20.0%
29,958
14.6%
Clerical
and
Administrative workers
7
8.8%
28,655
14.0%
Managers
8
10.0%
26,293
12.8%
16
2.0%
14,581
7.1%
21
6.1%
20,302
4
5.0%
7
8.8%
Machinery
and Drivers
Trade
Operators
Sales Workers
Community
Personal
Workers
and
Service
Professionals
Australia
10.5%
17.5%
and
and over for
952,520
14
Technical
Workers
Australia
When compared with Tasmania and Australia wide census data:

Technical and Trade Workers with (20.0%) in Tullah were significantly higher
than the state (14.6%) and national figure (14.4%).

Labourer (17.5%), in Tullah were significantly higher than the state (12.5%) and
national figure (10.5%)

Managers (10.0%) were slightly lower than the state (12.8%) and the national
figure (13.2%)
The most common industries in Tullah were Accommodation (20.0%), Metal Ore Mining
(17.5%) and electricity (12.5%). (Table 28).
When compared with Tasmania and Australia wide census data:

The 3 major industries in Tullah where all found to be higher than the state and
national figures. In particular;
47

Employments in Tullah were Accommodation (20.0%), was significantly higher
than the national figure (1.3%).

Employment in Metal Ore Mining (17.5%) industry in Tullah was considerably
higher than the national figure (0.4%)

Employment in the Electricity (12.5%) in Tullah was significantly higher than the
national figure (0.1%).
Table 28
COMPARISON OF TULLAH, TASMANIA AND AUSTRALIAN
INDUSTRIES OF EMPLOYMENT (15 years and over)
MAIN RESPONSES
IN SELECTED
REGION
Metal Ore Mining
Electricity
Pubs, Taverns and
Bars
Accommodation
Mining
Tullah
14
10
6
16
5
% of persons
% of persons
% of persons
aged 15 years
aged 15 years
aged 15 years
and over for the
Tasmania
and over for
Australia
and over for
Region
17.5%
-
Tasmania
-
34,838
Australia
0.4%
12.5%
-
-
8,093
0.1%
7.5%
-
-
72,355
0.8%
20.0%
-
-
117,705
1.3%
8,684
0.1%
6.3%
48
Zeehan
The following data snap shot was derived from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Usual
Resident 2006 Census data.
Population Snapshot
 Zeehan has a population of approximately 845 ‘usual residents’.
 Zeehan has approximately 565 people aged between 15-64 years.
Employment Snapshot
 The total labour force is comprised of 367 people working either full or part-time
or unemployed.
 Approximately 235 people of working age (15-64 years) are not in the labour
force.
 Approximately 53.4% of males and 38.5% of females are working either full or
part time.
 44.4% of males work full-time and 9.0% part-time.
 18.6% of females work full-time and 19.9% part-time.
 The largest occupational group employed are Machinery Operators and Drivers
with (21.9%), Labourers (19.7%) and Technical and Trade Workers (15.4%).
 The Mining industry employees 26.9% of males between the working age of (1564 years). The Manufacturing industry employed 15.8% of males between the
working age of (15-64).
 The Accommodation and Food services industry employed 34.3% of female’s
age (15-64 years). Followed by the Retail Trade industry with 12.5% females
aged (15-64 years) employed.
 The largest industry was Metal Ore Mining with an employment population of
12.2%. Approximately 26.9% of working males and 7.0% of working females
were employed within this industry sector.
 The next largest industries were Accommodation (11.0%) and Specialised
Machinery and Equipment with (12.5%).
 The most common income range for males aged 15 years and over was $150$249 per week (18.9%) followed by $250-$399 per week (13.0 %). The most
common income range for females was $150-$249 per week (20.7%) followed by
$1-$149 per week (15.2 %).
49
Skills and Training Snapshot
 133 people had obtained a postsecondary school qualification; this was most
often at the certificate level (53.6%).
 Approximately 12.9 % of post secondary school qualification holders had
obtained a higher degree.
Family Composition and Housing Snapshot
 40.6 % of people were married or and 39.7% had never married.
 37.8% of couples families had no children , followed by 44.6% with children aged
less than 15 years and without non dependent children
 17.6% of one parent families had children aged less than 15 years and without
non dependent children
 There were 469 dwellings in Zeehan in 2006. Of these 96.5% were detached
houses,1.9% were flats and 1.6% were other dwellings
 Of the 367 occupied dwellings, 43.3% were fully owned, 19.1% were being
purchased and 31.1% were rented.
 Median monthly housing repayment on mortgage dwellings was $520 per-month.
 Median rental payments were $100 per week in 2006.
Selected Summary Tables
The following tables provide a comparison of Zeehan, Tasmania and Australian
demographic trends.

On census night in Zeehan there were 210 children aged between 0-14 years, 98
persons aged between 15-24 years, 378 persons aged between 25-54 years and
159 persons aged 55 years and over (Table 29).
50
Table 29
COMPARISON OF ZEEHAN, TASMANIA AND AUSTRALIAN
DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS
% of total
AGE
Zeehan
persons
% of total
Tasmania
persons
72
for the Region
8.5%
138
% of total
Australia
persons for
28,663
for Tasmania
6.0%
1,260,405
Australia
6.3%
16.3%
65,359
13.7%
2,676,807
13.5%
98
11.6%
61,768
13.0%
2,704,276
13.6%
378
44.7%
190,969
40.1%
8,376,751
42.2%
89
10.5%
58,581
12.3%
2,192,675
11.0%
70
8.3%
71,141
14.9%
2,644,374
13.3%
0-4 years
5-14
years
15-24
years
25-54
years
55-64
years
65 years
and over
When Compared with Tasmania and Australia Wide Census Data:

24.1% of the population of Zeehan were aged between 0-14 years, significantly
higher than the state (19.7%) and national figure (19.8%).

The percentage of people in Zeehan aged 55 years and over (18.8 %) is
significantly lower than the state (27.2%) and the national figure (24.3%).

44.7% of the population of Zeehan were aged between 25-54 years, considerably
higher than the state (40.1%) but lower than the national figure (42.2%).
During the week prior to census night 367 people in Zeehan were in the labour force. Of
these 55.3% were employed full-time, 25.1% were employed part-time, 3.5% were
employed but did not state their hours worked and 13.1% were unemployed. 235 people
aged 15 years and over were not in the labour force (Table 30).
51
Table 30
COMPARISON OF ZEEHAN ,TASMANIA AND AUSTRALIAN
LABOUR FORCE
% of persons
% of persons in
in the labour
the labour force
LABOUR FORCE
% of persons in
(15 years and
the labour force
Zeehan
force for the
Tasmania
for Tasmania
Australia
over)
for Australia
Region
Total labour force
(includes employed
and
unemployed
persons)
Employed full-time
Employed part-time
Employed
from work
away
Employed
not stated
hours
Unemployed
Not in labour force
9,607,987
-
-
219,162
-
203
55.3%
122,816
56.0%
5,827,432
60.7%
92
25.1%
67,384
30.7%
2,685,193
27.9%
11
3.0%
8,997
4.1%
337,991
3.5%
13
3.5%
5,543
2.5%
253,567
2.6%
48
13.1 %
14,422
6.6%
503,804
5.2%
235
-
143,104
-
5,271,116
5.2%
367
When compared with Tasmania and Australia wide census data:

The rate of unemployment (13.1%) in Zeehan is significantly higher than the
state, (6.6%) but higher than national figure (5.2%)

In contrast, the percentage of people employed full-time (55.3%) in Zeehan is
substantially lower than the state (56.0%) and national figure (60.7%).
In Zeehan, the most common occupations for employed persons were Machinery
Operators and Drivers (21.9%), Labourer (19.7%), Technical and trade Workers (15.4%)
(Table 31).
52
Table 31
COMPARISON OF ZEEHAN, TASMANIA AND AUSTRALIAN
OCCUPATIONS
OCCUPATION
(15 years and over)
% of persons
% of persons
% of persons
aged 15 years
aged 15 years
aged 15 years
Zeeha
and over for
Tasmania
and over for
Australia
and over for
n
the Region
Labourer
Tasmania
952,520
10.5%
1,309,258
14.4%
1,365,805
15.0%
1,202,267
13.2%
604,616
6.6%
9.9%
896,208
9.8%
20,460
10.0%
801,906
8.8%
35,891
17.5%
1,806,010
19.8%
63
19.7%
25,570
12.5%
Trade
49
15.4%
29,958
14.6%
Clerical
and
Administrative workers
25
7.8%
28,655
14.0%
Managers
30
9.4%
26,293
12.8%
70
21.9%
14,581
7.1%
13
4.1%
20,302
40
12.5.%
16
5.0%
Technical
Workers
and
Machinery
and Drivers
Operators
Sales Workers
Community
Personal
Workers
and
Service
Professionals
Australia
When compared with Tasmania and Australia wide census data:

Machinery Operators and Drivers (21.9%) in Zeehan were significantly higher
than the state (7.1%) and national figure (6.6%).

Labourer (19.7%), in Zeehan were significantly higher than the state (12.5%) and
national figure (10.5%)

Technical and trade Workers (15.4%) were slightly higher than the state (14.6%)
and the national figure (14.4%)
The most
common
industries
in
Zeehan were
Metal
Ore Mining
(12.2%),
Accommodation (11.0%), and Specialised Machinery and Equipment (6.3%) (Table 32).
53
Table 32
COMPARISON OF ZEEHAN, TASMANIA AND AUSTRALIAN
INDUSTRIES OF EMPLOYMENT (15 years and over)
MAIN RESPONSES
IN SELECTED
Zeehan
REGION
Metal Ore Mining
39
Specialised Machinery
and Equipment
School Education
20
6
Accommodation
35
Local
Government
Administration
16
% of persons
% of persons
% of persons
aged 15 years
aged 15 years
aged 15 years
and over for the
Tasmania
and over for
Australia
and over for
Region
12.2%
-
Tasmania
-
34,838
Australia
0.4%
6.3%
-
-
19,584
0.2%
5.0%
11,081
5.4%
414,214
4.5%
11.0%
-
-
117,705
1.3%
5.0%
-
-
128,838
1.4%
When compared with Tasmania and Australia wide census data:

The 3 major industries in Zeehan where all found to be higher than the state and
national figures. In particular;

Employment in the Metal Ore Mining (12.2%) industry in Zeehan was
considerably higher than the national figure (0.4%)

Employments in the Zeehan were Accommodation (20.0%), was significantly
higher than the national figure (1.3%).

Employment in the Specialised Machinery and Equipment (6.3%) in Zeehan was
significantly higher than the national figure (0.2%).
54
Population Projections
The following population projections for the West Coast Municipality are based
on 3222.0 Population Projections, Australia by age and sex, Tasmania - Series
B. The methodology used to calculate the population projections was applied by
Dr Natalie Jackson from the University of Tasmania to model population changes
in the West Coast Municipality.
Snapshot
Figure 1 shows the baseline year (2004) and projected year (2021) by age and
sex structures for West Coast Municipality. The figures show that there is an
ageing workforce that is typically caused by the migration-related loss of young
working age people.
FIG 1 (a): West Coast 2004
85+
FIG 1 (b): West Coast 2021
85+
Males
80-84
Females
75-79
70-74
75-79
70-74
65-69
65-69
60-64
60-64
55-59
Males
80-84
Females
55-59
50-54
45-49
50-54
45-49
40-44
40-44
35-39
35-39
30-34
30-34
25-29
25-29
20-24
20-24
10-14
5-9
15-19
10-14
5-9
0-4
0-4
15-19
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
1
Percentage at each age
2
3
4
5
5
4
3
2
1
0
1
2
3
4
5
Percentage at each age
Figure 1. An estimate of population ageing for the West Coast Municipality
Between 2004 and 2021 the population of West Coast is projected to decline in
size, from its current 5,385 to around 4,921 (-8.6 percent). As Figure 2 indicates,
both its youth and working age populations are projected to decline more rapidly,
while as elsewhere its elderly population will grow.
55
FIG 2: West Coast: Projected Change by Age (Number)
2004-2010 and 2004-2022
100
80
60
40
20
0
-20
-40
-60
-80
-100
-120
-140
-160
2002--2010
85+
80-84
75-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
0-4
2004-2022
Figure 2: West Coast Municipality population aged as measured by percent
change.
Labour Market Implications
West Coast’s total working age population (15-64 years) is projected to decline
from its current 66.0 per cent of the population, to around 64.4 per cent by 2021,
and to decline in numbers by approximately 380 (-10.8 per cent).
Interpreting Population Projection Data
Like the rest of Australia, the West Coast has an ageing workforce. However the
statistical models underpinning population projection do not take into account
social trends affecting the workforce. For example:

A large proportion of the West Coast population lived outside the area in
the 5 years prior to the 2001 census.
This suggests the working
population is transient, with people coming to the region for a number of
years to work and then move elsewhere.;

Young people between 15-24 years are likely to leave the area to
undertake secondary education elsewhere in Tasmania or interstate. That
is, the working population leave because of a lack of educational facilities
in the area; and,

Older people in the 65 years plus age group do not typically retire in the
West Coast and will exit the area to retire elsewhere in Tasmania.
56
The aforementioned factors converge to create a proportion of the West Coasts
population who are a ‘revolving door workers’ who are highly mobile and will
follow both seasons work opportunities or the economic boom and bust cycle of
mining and construction industries. It is the revolving door working population
who would, for example, consider working on the Bell Bay Pulp Mill (refer Part 2
of the report).
Housing
Since the last census, Tasmania has experienced an unprecedented demand for
housing. This trend spread to the West Coast Municipality and increased
residential housing prices. Table 33 shows that house prices have increased by
around 400 percent since 2001. The quality of housing stock however has not
demonstrated a corresponding increase (i.e. housing stock remains unrenovated).4
Table 33: Number of sales and median prices for residential properties and
vacant residential land
Residential Properties
Year
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006 (1 Sept)
No. of
Sales
139
188
335
440
379
246
128
Median Sale
Price ($)
20000
15000
18200
30500
50000
67000
68000
Residential Vacant Land
No. of
Sales
36
23
31
46
61
61
52
Median Sale
Price ($)
8000
900
2000
22000
27000
10000
4000
The Real Estate Institute of Tasmania (REIT) provided median house price data
for Queenstown as it is the strongest performing West Coast locality (Figure 3)5.
Prices have increased by approximately 350 percent since 2001. The REIT
could not however provide data on median rents, as most properties are typically
not managed through real estate agents.
In sum, the value of West Coast properties has increased significantly since
2001. Comparatively, West Coast localities are still Tasmania’s most affordable
4
The Land Information System Office provided the following data on median house prices for the
West Coast Municipality.
5 These data are collated by provided to the REIT by Real Estate agents.
57
accommodation. The driver of increased house prices is not however an
underlining increase in land values, but mostly likely the reopening of mining
ventures in the West Coast Municipality.
90,000
80,000
70,000
60,000
50,000
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
Se
p01
De
c01
M
ar
-0
2
Ju
n02
Se
p02
De
c02
M
ar
-0
3
Ju
n03
Se
p03
De
c03
M
ar
-0
4
Ju
n04
Se
p04
De
c04
M
ar
-0
5
Ju
n05
Se
p05
De
c05
M
ar
-0
6
0
Figure 3: Median house prices for Queenstown
The Real Estate Institute of Tasmania confirmed that many West Coast
properties were sold to mainland investors and are not mortgaged. Increasingly
real estate investors are selling properties to local resident on “lease buy
schemes” which are administered through a solicitor. Such lease buy schemes
were prevalent as captured by the 2001 census data collection. For many buyers
lease buy schemes are the only option as financial institutions are hesittant to
provide mortgages for West Coast properties.
58
Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA)
Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) are produced by the Australian
Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Four indices measure different aspects of socioeconomic conditions by geographic areas6.
1. Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage
The Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage is derived from
attributes such as low income, low educational attainment, high
unemployment, jobs in relatively unskilled occupations and variables that
reflect disadvantage rather than measure specific aspects of disadvantage.
High scores on the Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage occur
when the area has few families of low income and few people with little
training or in unskilled occupations. Low scores on the Index occur when the
area has many low income families and many people with little training or
working in unskilled occupations. It is important to understand the high score
here reflects lack of disadvantage rather than high advantage, a subtly
different concept.
2. Index of Relative Socio-Economic Advantage/Disadvantage
The Index of Relative Socio-Economic Advantage/Disadvantage is a
continuum of advantage to disadvantage. A higher score on the Index
indicates an area has attributes such as a relatively high proportion of people
with high incomes or a skilled labour force. It also means an area has a low
proportion of people with low incomes and relatively few unskilled people in
the labour force. Conversely, a low score on the Index indicates an area has a
higher proportion of individuals with low incomes, more employees in
unskilled occupations and a low proportion of people with high incomes or in
skilled occupations. It takes into account variables relating to income,
education, occupation, wealth and living conditions.
3. Index of Economic Resources
The Index of Economic Resources reflects the profile of the economic
resources of families within the area. The Census variables, which are
summarised by this Index, reflect the income and expenditure of families,
such as wages and rent. Variables which reflect wealth (such as dwelling
size) are also included. The income variables are specified by family
structure, since this affects disposable income.
A higher score on the Index indicates an area has a higher proportion of
families on high income, a lower proportion of low-income families and more
households living in large houses, that is four or more bedrooms. A low score
6
The Indexes are derived from a principal components analysis of census data principal components analysis. All the
Indexes (including the Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage) have been constructed so that relatively
disadvantaged areas (for example, areas with many low income earners) have low Index values.
59
for this Index indicates the area has a relatively high proportion of households
on low incomes and living in small dwellings.
4. Index of Education and Occupation
The Index of Education and Occupation is designed to reflect the educational
and occupational structure of communities. The education variables in this
Index show either the level of qualifications achieved or whether further
education is being undertaken. An area with a high score on this Index would
have a high concentration of people with higher education qualifications or
who are undergoing further education with a high per cent of people
employed in more skilled occupations. A low score indicates an area with
concentrations of people either with low educational attainment, in unskilled
occupations, or unemployed.
Comparison of the West Coast to other Tasmanian Statistical Local
Areas

Socio Economic Disadvantage– the West Coast is ranked with the 8th
lowest score in Tasmania. This indicates that the Wets Coast is an area
with either low income families, people with little training or who are
working in unskilled occupations and a low proportion of people with high
incomes or working in skilled occupations (refer Table 34).

Socio Economic Disadvantage/Advantage – On this continuum, the West
Coast Municipality ranked 24th in the Tasmania. This ranking reflects
people a community characterised by high incomes, poor quality houses,
and working in unskilled job roles.

Economic Resources– the West Coast Municipality ranked 35th on this
index. This score is accounted by a moderate disposable income resulting
from low rents and high wages.

Index of Education and Occupation– the West Coast Municipality ranked
7th on this index. The area is characterised by low educational attainment
working in unskilled job roles.

On a local level, a comparison between the West Coast towns indicates
that Queenstown has a lower index of socio economic disadvantage and
education and occupation than the other towns, while Strahan has the
lowest index of economic resources. The cost of living in Strahan is
much higher than in surrounding towns and the wages are comparably
lower than in mining localities (refer Table 35).
60
Table 24: SEFIA indices for Statistical Local Areas
Statistical Local Area
Brighton (M)
Clarence (C)
Derwent Valley (M) - Pt A
Glenorchy (C)
Hobart (C) - Inner
Hobart (C) - Remainder
Kingborough (M) - Pt A
Sorell (M) - Pt A
Central Highlands (M)
Derwent Valley (M) - Pt B
Glamorgan/Spring Bay (M)
Huon Valley (M)
Kingborough (M) - Pt B
Sorell (M) - Pt B
Southern Midlands (M)
Tasman (M)
George Town (M) - Pt A
Launceston (C) - Inner
Launceston (C) - Pt B
Meander Valley (M) - Pt A
Northern Midlands (M) - Pt A
West Tamar (M) - Pt A
George Town (M) - Pt B
Launceston (C) - Pt C
Meander Valley (M) - Pt B
Northern Midlands (M) - Pt B
West Tamar (M) - Pt B
Break O'Day (M)
Population
11982
46256
6231
42518
474
46304
25523
9590
2127
2761
4080
13160
2468
933
5521
2267
5263
417
57547
7624
6991
17624
1008
2731
9751
4436
1722
5554
Advantage/Disadvantage
845.76
986.4
876.56
903.28
1076.64
1093.76
1040.96
912.56
875.28
891.52
899.84
896.96
974.08
909.6
882.08
901.2
866.72
1100.4
944
978.32
929.44
986.08
892.32
926.4
914
906.96
950
870.48
Disadvantage
829.52
1001.28
904
927.84
1075.84
1065.68
1055.12
955.12
935.12
941.84
953.92
936.96
1000
960.32
948.48
968.48
884.32
1078
950.56
1024.8
983.84
1022.72
957.12
988.72
975.6
966.24
1005.04
917.28
Economic Resources
892.24
969.44
905.76
911.84
1019.52
1030.88
997.68
913.92
869.2
887.76
886.96
889.12
908.08
875.6
880.56
851.76
891.2
1047.2
932.88
971.44
924.16
957.76
881.28
913.76
890.48
886.64
934.8
851.44
Education & Occupation
839.28
998
868.16
909.04
1126.88
1137.52
1061.52
920.56
887.2
903.36
918.08
912.64
1022.08
940.08
891.28
948.96
860.08
1125.28
961.84
974.88
932.24
1001.36
906.88
937.28
931.52
921.28
955.68
902.08
Dorset (M)
Flinders (M)
Burnie (C) - Pt A
Central Coast (M) - Pt A
Devonport (C)
Latrobe (M) - Pt A
Waratah/Wynyard (M) - Pt A
Burnie (C) - Pt B
Central Coast (M) - Pt B
Circular Head (M)
Kentish (M)
King Island (M)
Latrobe (M) - Pt B
Waratah/Wynyard (M) - Pt B
West Coast (M)7
6979
864
16167
16848
23030
7181
10456
1978
3090
7702
5407
1687
664
2504
5457
889.84
928.24
907.2
911.52
905.92
909.2
905.2
920.48
927.12
889.76
883.28
947.44
922.72
914.72
912.64 (rank=24th)
943.44
960.4
925.12
948.64
925.76
960.16
937.76
981.36
993.6
935.36
936
995.76
1002.64
958.48
930.4(rank=8th)
899.04
885.84
905.44
898.48
904.8
908.4
895.84
925.2
908.08
908.96
870.08
955.76
920.72
894.32
938.24 (rank=35th)
Disadvantage
Economic
Resources
930.56
960.88
925.68
956.08
884.56
949.04
918.16
929.04
917.68
918.88
917.68
909.44
936.8
876.96
896.8
930.48
912.72
930.4
890.56 (rank=7th)
Table 35: SEFIA indices for West Coast postcodes
Locality8
Queenstown
Roseberry
Strahan
Zeehan
7
8
Postcode
7467
7470
7468
7469
Population
2352
1115
802
938
Advantage/
Disadvantage
898.08
927.2
925.68
934.72
922.96
938.24
965.36
925.44
Education &
Occupation
875.76
884.16
932.4
908.08
Ranked from lowest to highest; for example 24th lowest score.
SEFIA data is unavailable for Tullah
62