The 2006 Australian Census results were released this week. A highlight, for Bingara, is a growth of 34 people in the town population since the 2001 Census. This represents an increase of nearly 3% and a turn around in the trend of the last 40 years.
Unfortunately, the Australian Bureau of Statistics web-site has given a clouded picture for the 2006 results with many centres having changed their reporting areas.
The former Bingara and Yallaroi Shires were Local Statistical Areas (LSA’s) in the last three Census (1991, 1996 and 2001). As such, the changing pattern of population was comparable each time. However, in 2006, the LSA’s have gone.
While Bingara had a town population (Urban Centre/ Locality) of 1172 in 2001, the same map area is called a (State Suburb – NSW) in 2006 where the total has grown to 1206.
For 2006, a population figure is also given by Postcode. This does not seem to be on offer for the 2001 Census figures. When Postcode is selected, Warialda (PC2402) and Bingara (PC2404) have just on identical numbers with 1871 and 1872 people, respectively. The “twin towns” are just about perfectly balanced.
Unfortunately again, the changes in statistical areas, does not allow a comparison to be made between Warialda township 2001 and 2006. It can’t be determined, from the website figures, if Warialda township is also growing.
The table below shows the change from the 2001 Census to the 2006 Census for some of the Postcodes that include the New England / North West’s main urban areas.
|
ABS Population Data
|
|
|
|
|
POSTCODE
|
2001
|
2006
|
%Chg
|
|
2404 BINGARA
|
1759
|
1872
|
6%
|
|
2402 WARIALDA
|
2103
|
1871
|
-11%
|
|
2347 BARRABA
|
1973
|
2015
|
2%
|
|
2346 MANILLA
|
3116
|
3326
|
7%
|
|
2360 INVERELL
|
12975
|
13589
|
5%
|
|
2400 MOREE
|
15737
|
13975
|
-11%
|
|
2390 NARRABRI
|
9158
|
8655
|
-5%
|
|
2340 TAMWORTH
|
42715
|
42948
|
1%
|
|
2358 URALLA
|
3767
|
3847
|
2%
|
|
2370 GLEN INNES
|
7503
|
7786
|
4%
|
|
2365 GUYRA
|
3230
|
3193
|
-1%
|
|
2354 WALCHA
|
3365
|
3630
|
8%
|
|
2350 ARMIDALE
|
25161
|
24642
|
-2%
|
|
2380 GUNNEDAH
|
11082
|
10831
|
-2%
|
An emailed request to the ABS for an explanation of the Statistical Areas used in the 2006 Census received the following explanation.
You are correct in your statement about consistency, but the changes made
to the Local Government Areas (LGA) are changes made by the state
government. The ABS merely reflects those changes.
Those you refer to were gazetted in the NSW Government Gazette No. 57, 17
March 2004, Gazetted date of effect: 17 March 2004.
The ABS is, however, in the process of reviewing the Australian Standard
Geographical Classification (ASGC) and an information paper will be
published by the ABS later in this year.
Regards
Michael Toole
Asst. Director
Geography Section
Australian Bureau of Statistics
to the Local Government Areas (LGA) are changes made by the state
government. The ABS merely reflects those changes.
Those you refer to were gazetted in the NSW Government Gazette No. 57, 17
March 2004, Gazetted date of effect: 17 March 2004.
The ABS is, however, in the process of reviewing the Australian Standard
Geographical Classification (ASGC) and an information paper will be
published by the ABS later in this year.
Regards
Michael Toole
Asst. Director
Geography Section
Australian Bureau of Statistics
Presented by Rick Hutton – Secretary, Bingara and District VISION 2020.
