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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.

Capability & Services

Cummings Economics have the capability and experience to provide a very wide range of services - almost anything involving economic research, analysis and presentation. see more

Town Planning Need Assesments

In recent years the firm has completed numerous local government need assessments including in relation to low, medium & high residential, major regional residential developments, mixed use, neighbourhood centers, food & drink outlets, service stations, aged persons facilities, medical facilities, tourism facilities and industrial.

Supporting Progress

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

Economic Impact & Benefit Cost Analysis

Economic Impact Advice

ALTERNATIVE CAIRNS MAREEBA RANGE CROSSING ROAD ROUTES

PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS COST BENEFIT CONSIDERATIONS

The question of assessing options for upgrading the range crossing between Cairns and Mareeba has become a matter of urgent community discussion with a number of alternative routes canvassed. To help consideration of the matter, the following offers some preliminary comment on the various routes being canvassed from a cost benefit analysis perspective.

REPORT

CERef-J3525A-Comment-ALTERNATIVE RANGE CROSSING ROAD ROUTESV4.pdf

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.

02 Aug 2024 Other 2024/08/02 Ref J3525B.276

"IT'S TIME" - POTENTIAL LESSONS FROM THE PAST

Recounts the approach taken by the region in the late 70s/early80s to achieve upgrading of Cairns Airport to take wide-bodied jets from long distance flights from overseas and its possible lessons for the region achieving major upgrading of the Cairns/Mareeba range crossing.

Comment

30 Jul 2024 Research & Statistical Note 2024/07/30 Ref J3324.275

JUNE 2024-ECONOMIC TRENDS CAIRNS REGION

Latest inflation figures indicate that Reserve Bank efforts to dampen the economy are likely to continue throughout the rest of this year and into the next with consequences for the domestic tourism market and building approvals.

Statistical Note

23 Jul 2024 Research & Statistical Note 2024/07/23 Ref J3524.274

JAPANESE YEN FLUCTUATIONS

The recent decision by VIRGIN Airlines to withdraw from flights to Japan focuses attention on fluctuations in the Japanese Yen/Australian dollar exchange rate and its influence on flights and visitor numbers from Japan.

Statistical Note

20 Jul 2024 Research & Statistical Note 2024/07/20 Ref J3528.273

NEWSPAPER REGIONAL POPULATION FIGURES CORRECTION

Provides correct figures for population in the 4 major regions of Tropical Queensland serviced by the regional cities of Cairns, Townsville, Mackay and Rockhampton following publication of some misleading figures in a Cairns local newspaper.

Statistical Note

30 Apr 2024 Research & Statistical Note 2024/04/30 Ref J3324.272

APRIL ECONOMIC TRENDS CAIRNS REGION

Economy takes cyclone damage but bounces back.

Statistical Note

29 Apr 2024 Research & Statistical Note 2024/04/29 Ref J3480A.271

CAIRNS POPULATION GROWTH

Cairns Population Growth Rate Rises.

Information Release

28 Apr 2024 Research & Statistical Note 2024/04/28 Ref J3480B.270

QLD TROPICAL REGIONS GROWTH

Qld Tropical Regions - Population over 1 Million.

Information Release

27 Apr 2024 Research & Statistical Note 2024/04/27 Ref J3480C.269

FAR NORTH REGIONAL GROWTH

Tablelands leads regional growth.

Information Release

26 Apr 2024 Other 2024/04/26 Ref J3517A.268

PLEASE MISTER MINISTER, DON'T KNOCK OUR BRUCE HIGHWAY

Which should get priority, the link to Brisbane or the region's internal road infrastructure and other trans-national links such as across the north to Darwin?

Opinion Piece

16 Oct 2023 Research & Statistical Note 2023/10/16 Ref J3324.266

AUG-SEP 2023 ECONOMIC TRENDS CAIRNS REGION

Although there will be stresses and strains being experienced in some sectors of the economy as a result of the Reserve Bank's efforts to dampen the economy with higher interest rates and cumulative inflation over the past three years will be affecting family budgets, latest data available indicates that the fundamentals remain solid.

Statistical Note

20 Sep 2023 Other 2023/09/20 Ref .267

HONOURS RECEIVED

Principal of Cummings Economics, Bill Cummings, has been honoured by Central Queensland University with the granting of Honorary Doctorate in Economics. Mr Cummings has also accepted an invitation to be an Honorary Research Fellow of the Centre for International Trade and Business in Asia (CITBA) at James Cook University.

Information Release

04 Sep 2023 Research & Statistical Note 2023/09/04 Ref J3500C.265

WELCOME PROGRESS IN DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICAL EDUCATION FACILITIES

Cairns based regional business economist, Bill Cummings, has welcomed the commencement of James Cook University medical teaching facilities on the Sheridan Street site adjacent to the Cairns Hospital.

Information Release

01 Sep 2023 Research & Statistical Note 2023/09/01 Ref J3500B.264

PENINSULA ROAD SEALING MILESTONE

A drive over Peninsula roads carried out in July/August 2023 indicated the Peninsula Developmental Road (PDR) from the Lakeland turnoff to Weipa is now 66% sealed. Only 202km of the 590km route remains unsealed.

Statistical Note

22 Aug 2023 Research & Statistical Note 2023/08/22 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 2023/07/06 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 2023/07/03 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 2023/06/05 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 2023/06/01 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 2023/05/02 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 2023/04/29 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

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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