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.
With sound benefit cost economic impact analysis to support funding decisions.
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.
16 Oct 2023 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3324.266
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 Note20 Sep 2023 Other CE Ref .267
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 Release04 Sep 2023 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3500C.265
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 Release01 Sep 2023 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3500B.264
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 Note22 Aug 2023 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3500.263
Australia's great Tropical NorthEast Super Region is now recording a value of Gross Regional Product (GRP) of $90Bn a year.
Statistical Note06 Jul 2023 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3324.261
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 Note03 Jul 2023 Media Article CE Ref J3469.262
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.
Article05 Jun 2023 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3324B.260
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 Note01 Jun 2023 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3324A.258
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 Note02 May 2023 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3465.257
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 Note29 Apr 2023 Media Article CE Ref J3450.259
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.
Article28 Apr 2023 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3466.256
Latest ABS estimated residential population figures for June 2022 indicates the Tablelands area has reached a major milestone.
Statistical Note27 Apr 2023 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3324.255
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 Note21 Apr 2023 Media Article CE Ref J3464.254
Cairns has passed 170,000; Wider Region 300,000
Statistical Note24 Feb 2023 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3324.253
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 Note01 Dec 2022 Media Article CE Ref J3447.251
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”.
Article28 Nov 2022 Cairns Economy Presentation CE Ref J3445.252
A power-point presentation to a Forum 4 Business Growth (F4BG) meeting on the 25th November 2022 on the Cairns Regional Economy.
Presentation26 Oct 2022 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3324.250
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 Note15 Sep 2022 Media Article CE Ref J3440.249
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.
Article31 Aug 2022 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3324.248
The July figures indicate international visitors returning and domestic tourism up.
Statistical Note
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