SOME INFORMATION RELEASES Archive »


Dec.2008
Cairns Far Northern Queensland Mining Services Study

The study was carried out for DEEDI and the Cairns Chamber of Commerce. It identifies operating and proposed mines and exploration activity across Northern Australia, Papua New Guniea and Eastern Indonesia, current air services to mines and opportunities to provide services especially workforce based on research in the first half of 2008.
4.6mb(pdf text)

Feb.2010
Value of and Prospects for Agriculture in Far North Queensland
(Peninsula Australia)

This paper briefly canvasses the value of agriculture in the regional economy, its historical challenges, contributions to recent growth and future prospects.
318kb(pdf text) RefJ2307

27.11.09
Marine Industry Capability Profile

The aim of this report is to provide a capability profile of the Far North Queensland region’s marine industries, including their competitive and comparative advantages, and any deficits or gaps.
6.73mb(pdf text) RefJ2103

06.10.09
Note on Comparative Transient Population Levels, Australian Cities

There is a widespread myth that Cairns has a highly transient population.
Certainly, Cairns has a high level of visitor population, some of whom will seek work during their visit, especially backpackers. However, when population excluding visitors is looked at, a very different picture emerges.
56kb(pdf text) RefJ2276

10.09.09
Economic Impact of James Cook University

Prepared in association with D.S Enterprises, Townsville.
1.8mb(pdf text) RefJ2193

31.08.09
Research Note - Manufacturing

Latest ABS statistics indicate Cairns / Far North Queensland region recorded a strong growth in manufacturing 2001/02 to 2006/07 and continues to lead the north in number of manufacturing locations.
37kb(pdf text) RefJ2269

26.08.09
Cairns Chamber of Commerce Annual Review

Bill Cummings presented his annual review of recent movements and short to medium term prospects of the Cairns economy at the August luncheon for the Cairns Chamber of Commerce, entitled "Understanding the Challenges"
90kb(pdf text) 703kb(pps presentation) RefJ2250

13.08.09
Cairns Arrives on List of Australia's Main Cities

The once remote tropical outpost of 60 years ago with a population of 16,000 in 1947 has now made it to the list of Australia's main cities.
30kb(pdf text) RefJ2264

07.08.09
Mareeba Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Forum

Bill Cummings' presentation to the forum on 31st July 2009 entitled, "Tablelands, Cape & Gulf, Economic Challenges & Opportunities".
53kb(pdf text) 1.3mb(pps presentation) RefJ2239

22.04.09
Note on Population Growth in the North, 2007/08

Recently released Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data for estimated residential population for 2007/08 reveal the extent of the strong economic growth taking place across the north in the 12 months up to June 2008.
30kb(pdf text) RefJ2218

02.12.08
Address to Weipa Chamber of Commerce

Bill Cummings presented an address to the Weipa Chamber of Commerce in Weipa, 2nd December 2008.
90kb(pdf text) 2.7mb(pps presentation) RefJ2162

25.11.08
2008 Annual Address to Cairns Chamber of Commerce

Bill Cummings presented his annual address to the Cairns Chamber of Commerce on current trends in the Cairns economy, 25th November 2008.
88kb(pdf text) 1.3mb(pps presentation) RefJ2185

18.11.08
Address to Flinders Shire Water Development Forum, Hughenden

Bill Cummings presented a paper on behalf of the North Australia Research Group on the "Social and Economic Benefits of Irrigation Developments in the Flinders River Catchment", 18 th November 2008.
110kb(pdf text) 1mb(pps presentation) RefJ2156

18.11.08
Use of Economic Multipliers in Regional Areas and Government Services

This note to the Australian and New Zealand Regional Science Association Newsletter identifies important limitations of multipliers in relation to State and Federal Government service provisions.
16kb(pdf text)

12.11.08
Address to Civil Contractors Federation, Cairns

Bill Cummings presented an address to the Civil Contractors Federation in Cairns , 12th November 2008.
82kb(pdf text) 262kb(pps presentation) RefJ2183

31.10.08
Address to James Cook University Tourism Symposium, Cairns

Bill Cummings presented an address entitled “The Decisive Role of Small to Medium Sized Firms in the Development of Tourism in Queensland ’s Tropical North”, 31 st October 2008.
101kb(pdf text) 8.3mb(pps presentation) RefJ2154

14.08.08
Address to Mareeba Chamber of Commerce – Inaugural Economic Development Forum

Bill Cummings presented an address entitled “The Tablelands - One Big Economy – Breakdown of Towns, Current Activity and Future Projects”, 14 th August 2008
41kb(pdf text) 2.1mb(pps presentation) RefJ2123

Aug.08
Mining Services Study, Far North Queensland

Cummings Economics' study exploring opportunities for increased supply of services from Cairns to mining operations across Northern Australia, Papua New Guinea and Papua Indonesia for the Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry was released and posted on the Cairns Chamber of Commerce website www.cairnschamber.com.au RefJ2070

July.08
Address to Certified Practising Accountants, Cairns

Bill Cummings presented an address entitled “Cairns Economy - Realities, Successes, Failures and Lessons – Where To From Here?”
54kb(pdf text) 3.1mb(pps presentation) RefJ2130

08.05.08
Note on "Estimated Residential Population Growth", 2006/07

31kb(pdf text)

04.09.07
2007 Annual Address to the Cairns Chamber of Commerce

Bill Cummings presented his annual address to the Cairns Chamber of Commerce on current trends in the Cairns' economy on Tuesday 28th August, 2007.
84kb(pdf text) 1.8mb(pps presentation)

24.10.06
2006 Annual Address to the Cairns Chamber of Commerce

Bill Cummings presented his annual address to the Cairns Chamber of Commerce on current trends in the Cairns' economy on Tuesday 24th October, 2006.
62kb(pdf text) 537kb(pps presentation)

27.07.06
Note on Manufacturing in the Cairns Region.

110kb(pdf text)

26.06.06
Airfreight Exports from Northern & Far North Queensland

Cummings Economics has been pleased to complete, in conjunction with Advance Cairns, a study and report for the Airfreight Council of Queensland on airfreight exports from the Cairns, northern Queensland area.

The study indicated a high proportion of the region’s fishery output was being exported by air via Cairns airport, especially to Asian markets. Relatively little diversion was taking place via Brisbane and Sydney airports except for commodities for North American, Middle East and European markets not serviced with direct flights out of Cairns.

In strong contrast however, a large diversion of fruit and vegetables was found to be taking place to be exported via Brisbane and Sydney airports with Cairns airport accounting for only 13% of the region’s fruit and vegetable exported by air. Factors found to be causing this included:

For details of availability of the report, contact Cummings Economics
on Tel (07) 4031 2888 Email: cummings@cummings.net.au.
Full report available from: www.australianairfreight.com 2.4MB PDF

30.09.05
Address To Cairns Chamber of Commerce

Cairns economist, Bill Cummings, provided his annual assessment of recent trends and short-term prospects for the Cairns economy to the September luncheon meeting of the Cairns Chamber of Commerce.
30kb(pdf text) 1mb(pps presentation)

08.07.05
Launch of the Cairns 2020/2050 Business Research Manual Project

Cairns economist, Bill Cummings, provided an outline of the “Cairns 2020/2050 Business Research Manual” project at a special function held at the Cairns City Council Chambers last night. For further details of the project contact Cummings Economics
on Tel (07) 4031 2888 Email: cummings@cummings.net.au.

31.08.05
Direct Freight & Road Route Cairns to Melbourne

The Hann Highway Action Group has presented to the Queensland Minister for Main Roads a report prepared by W S Cummings entitled “The Hann Highway Development Report – An Economic Impact Cost Benefit Analysis of Upgrading the Lynd Hughenden Section of the Kennedy Developmental Road”. The link is the last unsealed section of a direct inland route from the Cairns/Tablelands area to Melbourne and Adelaide. Its sealing will provide :


Further details available on request.

26.04.05
Australian City Growth Patterns 2002 - 2003

This brief paper identifies the changed pattern of growth of Australian cities in recent years.
57kb(pdf text)

29.03.05
Cairns House Prices

Latest data indicates that Cairns median house prices continued to rise in the December Qtr 2004, but at a slower rate.
21kb(pdf text)

29.03.05
Building Approvals

Seven months data to January 2005 indicates the Far North Statistical Division is on track to reach record value building approvals in financial year 2004/05.
22kb(pdf text)

29.03.05
North Australia Population Growth 2003-04

Latest ABS data indicates the Cairns based Far North Statistical Division continued to lead residential population growth in Northern Australia, but that Townsville city growth continues to be ahead of Cairns city.
44kb(pdf text)

22.03.05
Statistical Snippet

Population of Cape York Peninsula & Torres Strait Islands is now over the 20,000 mark.
37kb(pdf text)

23.02.05
International Education in the Cairns Region

Study Cairns (an organisation representing the international education providers in the Cairns area) yesterday released a summary of findings of a study into the economic impacts of the international education sector in the Cairns region prepared by Cummings Economics. For further details of Study Cairns, see website www.studycairns.com.au. For summary of report findings, click pdf.
96kb(pdf text)