Areas in Southern Queensland
The Southern Queensland Region is a custom region made up of the 12 Local Government Areas (LGAs): (1) Balonne (S); (2) Bulloo (S); (3) Cherbourg (S); (4) Goondiwindi (R); (5) Maranoa (R); (6) Murweh (S); (7) Paroo (S); (8) Quilpie (S); (9) South Burnett (R); (10) Southern Downs (R); (11) Toowoomba (R); and (12) Western Downs (R).
Our region covers 405,671.3 square kilometres, of which 88.2 per cent is categorised as “remote” and “very remote” Australia, as per the ABS’ ASGS Remoteness Structure (see, Table 1).
Table 1 Remoteness Areas, Southern Queensland | ||
Remoteness Area Name | Area Km2 | % |
Inner Regional Australia | 20,132.2 | 5.0 |
Outer Regional Australia | 27,680.5 | 6.8 |
Remote Australia | 127,973.6 | 31.5 |
Very Remote Australia | 229,885.0 | 56.7 |
Total | 405,671.3 | 100.0 |
Source: ABS, ASGS, July 2016. In some cases these data have been concorded from other geographical boundaries. |
Population in Southern Queensland
In the 2011 Census a total of 13,881 people or 4.9 per cent of the usual residents in Southern Queensland identified as Indigenous (see Table 2).
Table 2 Population by Indigenous Status, Southern Queensland | ||
Population | Census Counts | % |
Indigenous | 13,881 | 4.9 |
Non-Indigenous | 257,278 | 90.2 |
Not stated | 14, 032 | 4.9 |
Total | 285,191 | 100.0 |
Source: ABS, Census of Population and Housing, 2011 Indigenous Profile – I02 |
In the ten years that passed from the Census in 2001 to the Census in 2011, Southern Queensland’s count of Indigenous usual residents increased by 3,773 (or 37.5%). This population growth reflects a natural increase with births exceeding deaths, and a mixed partnerships increase in which an Indigenous partner and a non-Indigenous partner produce a child who is identified as being of Indigenous origin.
Want to know more?
As a leading voice in Southern Queensland, AFLSSQ (Aboriginal Family Legal Service Southern Queensland) is committed to sharing relevant information about our region and communities.
We are in the process of compiling a collection of information sheets on our region and communities so that you can know more about our region and communities. Our collection of information sheets will be made available in the coming weeks.
Contact us for more information.