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Leading the Way

Cummings Economics was established in 1981 by W S (Bill) & J G Cummings (see key personnel) to provide professional economic research and analysis of the economy, especially in relation to northern and regional Australia (see background & services). Compass Research was established as the market research arm of Cummings Economics.

Over the years, the firm has played and continues to play a major role in supporting the progress of businesses, industries, organisations and government bodies through perceptive professional, successful research.

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With sound benefit cost economic impact analysis to support funding decisions.

Economic Impact & Benefit Cost Analysis

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Information Releases

Information Releases Archive

Much of our work for clients is confidential. However, Cummings Economics have a policy, in the interests of promoting progress, of placing on this website, reports and analysis that have entered the public arena.

22 Aug 2023 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3500.263

GRP TROPICAL NORTHEAST AUSTRALIA SUPER REGION COMPARED

Australia's great Tropical NorthEast Super Region is now recording a value of Gross Regional Product (GRP) of $90Bn a year.

Statistical Note

06 Jul 2023 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3324.261

MAY/JUNE 2023 ECONOMIC TRENDS CAIRNS REGION

REVISED FIGURES MORE POSITIVE - Figures available last month gave indications that Reserve Bank efforts to dampen the economy may have been starting to show up in the regional economy. Revised information, especially on numbers receiving unemployment benefits and other more recent data on airport passenger numbers and interstate migration into Queensland, indicates a more positive picture.

Statistical Note

03 Jul 2023 Media Article CE Ref J3469.262

FACING REALITIES IN A YEAR OF POPULATION MILESTONES

The year 2023 will see Australia's Tropical NorthEast regions (based on Cairns, Townsville, Mackay and Rockhampton, see map), reach population milestones. While it is time to reflect on past achievements, it's also important to reflect on recent trends and future challenges facing the area.

Article

05 Jun 2023 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3324B.260

FACTORS BEHIND THE RENTAL SHORTAGE

Rental vacancy rates have fallen to very low levels in Cairns. Contributing to this has been the sharp jump-up in population growth in the post-COVID period. However, Cairns is not alone in recording a rental housing shortage. This note provides charts to help understand the factors behind the nation-wide and local rental housing shortages.

Statistical Note

01 Jun 2023 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3324A.258

APR/MAY 2023 ECONOMIC TRENDS CAIRNS REGION

EARLY INDICATIONS OF TIGHTENING IMPACTS - The regional economy is showing some signs that the Reserve Bank's actions to slow the economy are having an effect with some rise in numbers on unemployment benefits, patchiness in single house dwelling approvals and some evidence that domestic airborne visitation is down on last year.

Statistical Note

02 May 2023 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3465.257

POPULATION NOW ONE MILLION

Australia's great Tropical NorthEast that accounts for 73% of the area of the State of QLD and covers an area equivalent to the combined areas of the States of New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and the main population parts of South Australia (see Map 1), has reached a major milestone.

Statistical Note

29 Apr 2023 Media Article CE Ref J3450.259

AGRICULTURE LEAPING AHEAD

Latest agriculture production statistics available indicate that the Cairns/ Tropical North Queensland region's value of production has been leaping ahead and leading the State and the North.

Article

28 Apr 2023 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3466.256

TABLELANDS POPULATION PASSES 50,000

Latest ABS estimated residential population figures for June 2022 indicates the Tablelands area has reached a major milestone.

Statistical Note

27 Apr 2023 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3324.255

FEB/MAR 2023 ECONOMIC TRENDS CAIRNS REGION

Despite the easing of the flush of activity that took place post-Covid and despite the impact of the Reserve Bank's moves to curb inflationary pressures, the indications are that the regional economy is holding up well at this point in time.

Statistical Note

21 Apr 2023 Media Article CE Ref J3464.254

CAIRNS CITY & REGION REACH NEW MILESTONES

Cairns has passed 170,000; Wider Region 300,000

Statistical Note

24 Feb 2023 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3324.253

FEBRUARY 2023 ECONOMIC TRENDS CAIRNS REGION

The indications are that the flush of activity that took place post-COVID is easing as the spike in interstate migration into Queensland eases and as Reserve Bank moves to curb inflationary pressures start biting.

Statistical Note

01 Dec 2022 Media Article CE Ref J3447.251

AUSTRALIAN ECONOMY RIDING ON THE NORTH'S BACK

Back in the 1950s and 1960s, it was common to describe the Australian economy as, “Riding on the sheep’s back”. At that time, pastoral industry exports of wool and meats were accounting for over half of the value of Australia’s exports. All that has changed. Today, it can be claimed that the Australian economy is “Riding on the North’s back”.

Article

28 Nov 2022 Cairns Economy Presentation CE Ref J3445.252

CAIRNS REGIONAL ECONOMY

A power-point presentation to a Forum 4 Business Growth (F4BG) meeting on the 25th November 2022 on the Cairns Regional Economy.

Presentation

26 Oct 2022 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3324.250

AUG / SEP 2022 ECONOMIC TRENDS CAIRNS REGION

SOME MIXED SIGNALS While airport passenger numbers continue to rise compared with pre-Covid (2019) and Council’s single residential building approvals moderate again, there are some mild mixed signals in the employment series.

Statistical Note

15 Sep 2022 Media Article CE Ref J3440.249

A CAUSE FOR CONCERN

Article for CONNECT FNQ magazine reports the 2021 Census results are a cause for great concern not only in this region, but also across the whole of Northern Australia.

Article

31 Aug 2022 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3324.248

JULY 2022 ECONOMIC TRENDS CAIRNS REGION

The July figures indicate international visitors returning and domestic tourism up.

Statistical Note

18 Jul 2022 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3324.247

JUNE 2022 ECONOMIC TRENDS CAIRNS REGION

The regional economy is coming back to pre-Covid patterns.

Statistical Note

01 Jul 2022 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3324.246

MAY 2022 ECONOMIC TRENDS CAIRNS REGION

The indications are that while domestic tourism is back strongly, the overall level of employment growth has been subdued.

Statistical Note

30 Jun 2022 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3435.243

CAIRNS REGION LEADERSHIP IN POPULATION GROWTH CONTINUES

Over the 2016-2021 intercensal period Cairns city and region continued to lead in population growth across northern Australia.

Statistical Note

30 Jun 2022 Media Article CE Ref J3433.245

OUR PACIFIC NEIGHBOURS AN IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIP

Article for CONNECT FNQ magazine highlights how the Cairns Region has a long history and close relationship with PNG and the Pacific than any other Australian city and region.

Article

Supporting Northern & Pacific Progress

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Supporting Northern & Pacific Progress

Some projects undertaken by Cummings Economics & Compass Research
throughout Northern Australia & the Pacific Region.

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