Star Cummings Compass Research Contact

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.

Supporting Progress

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

Economic Impact & Benefit Cost Analysis

Economic Impact Advice

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.

24 Feb 2023 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3324.253

FEBRUARY 2023 ECONOMIC TRENDS CAIRNS REGION

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 Note

01 Dec 2022 Media Article CE Ref J3447.251

Australian Economy Riding on the North's Back

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”.

Article

28 Nov 2022 Cairns Economy Presentation CE Ref J3445.252

Cairns Regional Economy

A power-point presentation to a Forum 4 Business Growth (F4BG) meeting on the 25th November 2022 on the Cairns Regional Economy.

Presentation

26 Oct 2022 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3324.250

AUG / SEP 2022 ECONOMIC TRENDS CAIRNS REGION

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 Note

15 Sep 2022 Media Article CE Ref J3440.249

A CAUSE FOR CONCERN

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.

Article

31 Aug 2022 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3324.248

JULY 2022 ECONOMIC TRENDS CAIRNS REGION

The July figures indicate international visitors returning and domestic tourism up.

Statistical Note

18 Jul 2022 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3324.247

JUNE 2022 ECONOMIC TRENDS CAIRNS REGION

The regional economy is coming back to pre-Covid patterns.

Statistical Note

01 Jul 2022 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3324.246

MAY 2022 ECONOMIC TRENDS CAIRNS REGION

The indications are that while domestic tourism is back strongly, the overall level of employment growth has been subdued.

Statistical Note

30 Jun 2022 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3435.243

CAIRNS REGION LEADERSHIP IN POPULATION GROWTH CONTINUES

Over the 2016-2021 intercensal period Cairns city and region continued to lead in population growth across northern Australia.

Statistical Note

30 Jun 2022 Media Article CE Ref J3433.245

OUR PACIFIC NEIGHBOURS AN IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIP

Article for CONNECT FNQ magazine highlights how the Cairns Region has a long history and close relationship with PNG and the Pacific than any other Australian city and region.

Article

23 Jun 2022 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3434A.241

QLD STATE BUDGET 2022-23 CAPITAL EXPENDITURE CAIRNS REGION COMPARED

The 2022-23 Queensland State Budget has seen a reverse to old patterns of the Cairns Region to again being below the average for equivalent regional areas.

Statistical Note

23 Jun 2022 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3434B.242

CAIRNS HOSPITAL FUNDING COMPARED

Examination of the 'Queensland Hospital Capacity Expansion Program' between 2024 to 2028 indicates that the Cairns region is receiving no special treatment.

Statistical Note

23 May 2022 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3324.240

APRIL 2022 ECONOMIC TRENDS CAIRNS REGION

MIXED TRENDS - While the airport figures were showing a bounce back of domestic visitation above pre-Covid levels, overall level of activity remains much the same.

Statistical Note

12 May 2022 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3429.238

LATEST POPULATION GROWTH FIGURES

Latest residential population growth figures indicates that of the northern cities, the Covid-19 lockdowns in 2020-21 most severely affected the population growth of Cairns City LGA.

Statistical Note

21 Apr 2022 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3324.237

MARCH 2022 ECONOMIC TRENDS CAIRNS REGION

POST-COVID ON ITS WAY - Available March data indicates progressive easing of restrictions are seeing the regional economy moving into a post-Covid era.

Statistical Note

01 Apr 2022 Media Article CE Ref J3416.236

THE REGION'S FARMING ENTREPRENEURS

Article contributed to CONNECT FNQ MAGAZINE highlights how, quietly and largely unheralded in the background, the region’s farming entrepreneurs have been kicking goals for the region’s economy.

Article

21 Mar 2022 Media Article CE Ref J3426.234

"OUTBACK WAY" FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT IMPORTANT FOR AUSTRALIA'S PACIFIC NORTH EAST REGION

The commitment by Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, of funding for the completion of sealing of the Outback Way, is a nation building initiative that will be of great benefit for Australia’s Pacific North East Regions.

Media Release

21 Mar 2022 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3324.235

FEBRUARY 2022 Economic Impact of Covid-19 Restrictions

SLOW GOING - Available February data indicates that the improvements evident in January over the pre-Covid period, stalled.

Statistical Note

01 Mar 2022 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3425.233

What Has Happened to Electricity Prices in Queensland

There has been substantial talk of late about how electricity prices have gone down. However, the statistical note illustrates what has really happened over the long term.

Statistical Note

21 Feb 2022 Research & Statistical Note CE Ref J3324.232

JANUARY 2022 Economic Impact of Covid-19 Restrictions

January data indicates that while tourism is still down on the pre-Covid levels, the overall level of activity in the regional economy has held up and appears to have shown growth over the previous twelve months.

Statistical Note

Supporting Northern & Pacific Progress

Projects Map

Supporting Northern & Pacific Progress

Some projects undertaken by Cummings Economics & Compass Research
throughout Northern Australia & the Pacific Region.

Graphs

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