A leading provider of :
- Economic, statistical and demographic research & analysis
(Cummings Economics) - Market research
(Compass Research) - Economic and social impact assessments
(North Australia Research Group)
Specialising in northern and regional Australia
Features of this website include :
- Background on the firm's capability and key personnel.
- Access to information the firm regularly generates, especially on economic conditions and development in northern Australia.
- Access to some of the firm's extensive library of public reports and documents and papers and addresses by the firm's principal, W S (Bill) Cummings.
Some Recent Studies
Research projects during 2014-15-16 included:- Survey of 100 households and businesses in the Cape Tribulation / Daintree area re experiences with not being on the electricity grid.
- Economic Impact proposed major resort project in the region.
- Economic Impact of a Retirement Village in Cooktown.
- Economic Impact Waterfront Development Cooktown.
- Economic Impact Sewerage Upgrading Mareeba.
- Economic Impact Community Solar Generation Project Cook Shire.
- Economic Impact of a Spinal Rehabilitation Facility Cairns.
- Review of Queensland State Infrastructure Plan.
- Preliminary Economic Impact Analysis, Proposed Southern Atherton Tablelands Irrigation Project.
- Economic Impact Possible National Sporting Body Headquarters Location, Ipswich.
- Potential Impacts on the costs of energy in the region including costs of electricity from determinations by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) and QLD Productivity Commission hearings.
- Economic Impact Benefit Cost Analysis, Mareeba Wastewater Treatment Plant Refurbishment.
- Economic Impact Benefit Cost - Wharf Restoration Innisfail.
- Economic Impact Major Proposed Residential Development, Caravonica.
- Economic Impact : Proposed Mt Ruby Magnetite Mine and Shipment via Mourilyan.
- Analysis of trends in the demand for and supply of and prices achieved for hotel rooms and apartments in the Cairns area.
- Preparation of a Strategic Business Plan for Mandingalbay Yidinji Aboriginal Corporation, East Trinity.
- Economic Impact of Tourism in Tropical North QLD, Cassowary Coast, Tablelands, Douglas, Cook & Gulf area.
- Statistical profile and information for Mareeba Chamber of Commerce Annual Snapshot.
- Benefit Cost Analysis Mission Beach Aquatic Centre.
- Benefit Cost Analysis Upgrading Mareeba Airport.
- Benefit Coast Analysis Upgrading Old Narrow Beef Roads Sections of the Gulf Developmental Road.
- Benefit Cost Analysis Proposed New Charleston Dam Water Supply – Etheridge shire.
- Analysis and Submissions to Queensland Coordinator-General and Queensland Parliamentary Committee on Cairns Seaport Development.
- Research on Potential Economic Impacts of Failure to Upgrade Cairns and Mourilyan Seaport Facilities.
- Research comparative prices of Fruit and Vegetable Cairns retail outlets.
- Demographics of Cairns CBD Population in Buildings 4-storeys or more.
- Research into new wave of agricultural development and opportunity to develop agricultural education courses.
- Economic Impact of Pacific Patrol Boats contract.
- Economic Impact of NDRRA funding, Douglas Shire.
- Research and presentation to Cairns Chamber’s Emerging Leaders Program
- Major research into long-term population trends in regional Queensland and across northern Australia.
- Attendance at Global Food Forum Melbourne.
- Expenditure generated by Hospital Foundation Cardiac Challenge event.
- Economic Impact Botanica Project.
- Research and input into the development of the Northern Australia Green and White Papers.
- Research Urban Growth in Northern Australia.
Handshakes »
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The Cairns Chamber of Commerce is one of the leading business organisations in Cairns, established for over 100 years and a representative of the local business community. |
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Advance Cairns is the peak coordination agency for economic development in TNQ. Our vision is to develop a vibrant and sustainable regional economy that promotes and facilitates diverse employment, growth, social and lifestyle opportunities. |
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You may recognise Tropical North Queensland (TNQ) as a world famous tourism destination in Australia, but here at Think TNQ you will also learn what it has to offer in terms of opportunities for business, investment and lifestyle. |
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TTNQ is the peak regional visitor destination marketing organisation for Tropical North Queensland, Cairns & Great Barrier Reef. |
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Regional Development Australia (RDA) is an Australian Government initiative that brings together all levels of government to enhance the growth and development of Australia's regions. A national network of RDA committees has been established to achieve this objective. |
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One of the world's leading institutions focusing on the tropics, Australia's James Cook University is surrounded by the spectacular ecosystems of the rainforests of the Wet tropics, the dry savannahs, and the iconic Great Barrier Reef. Our unique location enables students from Australia and overseas to study in a diverse physical environment unparalleled by any university in the world. |
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Ports North has played a significant role in the growth and development of the region over the past 100 years. It has been managing the operations of the Port of Cairns since 1906, Ports North is committed to the community and our environment. |
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The Cairns Airport is Australia’s leading regional airport, providing air links to a range of domestic and international locations. |
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The Mareeba Chamber of Commerce is committed to business and community interests in Mareeba and surrounding districts. We provide a wide range of services to business including scheduling and co-ordination of a number of opportunities and events. |
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The Hinchinbrook Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Inc. aspires to be the communities' finest public leader within its market place. Dedicated to serving the business sector, with accessible information to changes or developments happening around us. |
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The RAI is Australia’s first national, apolitical, independent think tank devoted exclusively to regional issues. Our job is to conduct research into priority policy areas for regional Australia. |
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Cairns and PNG are ideally positioned to be trade partners. Economic, social and cultural links are strong, and the respective Chambers of Commerce work cooperatively and productively. |
Links »
> Australian Bureau of Statistics> Australian Market and Social Research Society
> The Economic Society of Australia
> Regional Science Association Australia and New Zealand Section Inc.
Publications »
Cairns Chamber of Commerce
Yearbook 2014
SOME INFORMATION RELEASES »
.July, 2016
Achieving "Lift Off"
Trends & Prospects for the Cairns / Tropical North QLD Economy
Bill Cummings presented his annual review of the economy to the Cairns Chamber of Commerce on 26th July 2016.
2mb (pdf presentation)
149kb (pdf text) RefJ2992June, 2016
Statistical Note - Queensland Budget
This note analyses the Queensland budget capital expenditure by regions (Statistical Area Level 4). It indicates that again the Cairns region had the lowest per capita spending outside of Greater Brisbane area and that, far from being a budget for regional Queensland, the increase in 2016-17 on 2015-16 was 12.9% for Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast compared with regional Queensland 4.5%.
547kb (pdf note) Ref:J2909
March, 2016
Residential Population Growth - Cairns / Tropical North Region Continues to Lead in the North.
2014-15 was a poor year for growth in regional Queensland outside the South East corner. However the Cairns region continued to consolidate its position as the fastest growing and most populous in the North with the wider Cairns/Tropical North Queensland region including Cairns City, the immediate region and the Peninsula, Torres and Gulf areas increasing by 2,329 to 282,790.
Census 2016 is likely to see 'on-the-ground' population in the Tropical North Queensland region including visitors pass the 300,000 mark.
224kb (pdf note) Ref:J2971
January, 2016
Statistical Note: Cairns long-term population statistics 1891-2011.
An update of one prepared earlier that now brings the data up to 2011 (based on the last census count).315kb (pdf note) Ref:J2950
November, 2015
Statistical Note - 2015/16 Queensland Budget and the Cairns Region.
Identified that the Cairns region received the lowest per capita budget allocated for capital works in regional Queensland and has suffered the biggest decline in allocations over the past four years.398kb (pdf note) Ref:J2909
November, 2015
Statistical Note - Queensland Population Growth Coastal Regional Cities and Immediate Hinterlands.
This research looks at growth in population 1991-2014 Queensland Statistical Regions Level 4 of Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Fitzroy and Wide Bay and contrasts the pattern with Queensland Infrastructure Plan forward projections.231kb (pdf note) Ref:J2926
November, 2015
Douglas Shire in Tourism Development in Tropical North Queensland.
Bill Cummings presented an address to the 2015 Douglas Business Forum on Thursday the 12th November 2015 on the vital role of Douglas Shire in the development of tourism in tropical North Queensland1.6mb (pdf presentation)
142kb (pdf text) RefJ2919
Ocotober, 2015
Address / Presentation - Energy Trends and Issues - Commonwealth Bank Seminar.
Addresses the question of energy trends and issues, especially as they affect likely future costs of grid electricity.
637kb (pdf note) Ref:J2921
5.4mb (ppsx presentation) Ref:J2921
October, 2015
Statistical Note : Outback QLD Statistical Division gives population serviced by major regional cities.
200kb (pdf note)
The Tropical Dimension
Early advice of and invitation to record interest in receiving further information about a book by W S (Bill) Cummings being prepared for publication. The book reviews tropical Australia's development in a global context and the geographical and historical reasons for the lag that occurred in development in tropical areas and how and why that lag is now being overcome.Record your interest here
October, 2015
Project : Regional Input/Output Multiplier Economic Models
Input/output multiplier tables : North Australia Research Group modified National Data Models have been prepared for the following regions by industry classifications:
Queensland, Tropical North Queensland, Cairns SA4 Region, Tablelands, Cassowary Coast, Douglas, Cook, Gulf.
Copies are available on application for a fee. For further details, contact cummings@cummings.net.au
October, 2015 Statistical Note : QLD Budget
The 2015-16 Queensland Budget and the Cairns Region : Indicates that the Cairns region received the lowest per capita allocation for capital spending in regional Queensland.211kb (pdf note)
October, 2015
Statistical Note : Cairns/Tropical North Queensland Reaches 300,000 Population Milestone.
The Cairns based Tropical North Queensland "on the ground" population has passed a major milestone.
At the time of the 2011 Census, ‘on the ground’ population count was 293,000. Residential and visitor population has grown since then and on current trends can be expected to record, in next year’s census, an ‘on the ground’ population of the order of 310,000.
At the time of the 2011 Census, the ‘on the ground’ population was distributed: Cairns, Cassowary Coast and Tablelands area 252,000, Peninsula and Gulf 40,000.
The ‘on the ground’ 2011 Census count for the Cairns/Tropical North Queensland region of 292,000 compares with the other major northern regions of Townsville/Mt Isa region of 257,000 and Northern Territory of 234,000.
August, 2015
Agriculture in the Cairns/Tropical North Queensland Region
Provides a brief note on the new wave of agricultural development now taking place in the region.396kb (pdf note)
July, 2015
The Cairns Economy and the New Economic Fundamentals
"Getting Beyond the Uncertainties"
Bill Cummings presented his annual address to the Cairns Chamber of Commerce on 28th July 2015, with assistance of a ppt presentation.2mb (pdf presentation)
97kb (pdf text) RefJ2776July, 2015
Statistical Note
Cairns region is now among Australia's top fruit growing regions.The Cairns region is now the third largest fruit growing region in Australia with a value of production in 2012-13 recorded at over $500 million.
224kb (pdf note) RefJ2894
July, 2015
The Tropical Turnaround and Its Implications for the Australian Economy
Paper presented to the Urban and Regional Economics Section of the Australian Conference of Economists held at Queensland University of Technology, 9th July 2015.
1mb (pdf report) RefJ2836
June, 2015
Cairns Shipping Development Project
Cummings Economics provided a submission to the Office of the Coordinator-General commenting on the draft EIS for the Cairns Shipping Development Project, especially on economic aspects.
4.4mb (pdf report) RefJ2865
May, 2015
Long-Term Population Trends in Regional Queensland and Northern Australia
Cummings Economics prepared two research papers for Cairns Regional Council identifying long-term population trends:
- In Queensland's regions outside the south-east corner;
- In the regions of northern Australia.
The trends are analysed over the 35-year period 1976 to the last figures verified by the 2011 Census and the 20-year 1991 to 2011 and 10-year 2001 to 2011 periods.
They illustrate the leading role in long-term population growth of the Cairns and Wide Bay Burnett regions in Queensland, and the Cairns region and Northern Territory across the North.
Analysis of regional city growth shows similar patterns.
The papers comment on why the patterns have been occurring and provide estimates of 2050 populations based on the 35, 20 and 10-year trajectories continuing.
Nth Australia 1.7mb (pdf report) Qld Regions 1.6mb (pdf report) RefJ2806
March, 2015
FNQ Region's Major Projects & Investments
Cairns Chamber of Commerce has released an updated list detailing $16 billion in projects underway or proposed for the Cairns & Far North Queensland region.
180kb (pdf)
February, 2015
THE CAIRNS ECONOMY AND THE NEW ECONOMIC FUNDAMENTALS
Bill Cummings addressed the Cairns Forum for Business Growth highlighting the favourable impacts on the Cairns economy of a lower dollar and lower interest rates and the surge of new investment taking place.
290kb (pdf note) RefJ2840
February, 2015
WHAT HAS BEEN DRIVING QUEENSLAND'S GROWTH?
The State of Queensland has grown faster than New South Wales and Victoria in recent decades. Why?This note comments on an erroneous view put forward by the Mayors of South East Queensland - a view that if followed, would cramp Queensland's progress, including the process of Brisbane continuing to close up on Sydney and Melbourne as a competitor metropolitan service centre.
The real direct economic reason is that Queensland has massively increased earnings from the rest of the world outside of Queensland.
The origin of almost all of that increase has been outside of Brisbane and the south east, in northern and central Queensland and the West.
273kb (pdf note) RefJ2833
February, 2015
Note on Recent Exchange Rate Movements
A drop in the value of the Australian dollar against the US dollar is overall, good for Cairns. However the falls were not as strong across all currencies.
369kb (pdf note) RefJ2835
December, 2014
Population of Northern Australia Now Approaching 6% of Australian Total
Growth rate of population of Northern Australia has been out pacing that of Southern Australia and is now approaching 6% of the total.
654kb (pdf note)
December, 2014
Understanding Our Part of the World - Statistical Tables / Charts / Maps
As part of preparation for the Cairns G20 Finance Ministers Conference, Cummings Economics prepared for Cairns Post, some 14 key statistical charts, maps and comments that the region's businesses and organisations are free to use. (We would appreciate attribution.)570kb (pdf paper)