Townsvillian Giants in Education, Individualism and Indigenous Heritage

Image: Townsvillian's enjoying a celebration experience in a tropical lifesyle

Townsvillian's are of equal gender, giants in education, prefer de facto unions instead of marriage, progressive in their relationships and technology while abandoning their association with traditional faiths, except the schooling of our children, and boasts a higher than average indigenous heritage and cultural connection than the rest of Queensland and Australia.

Australian Bureau and Statistics (ABS) Census 2016 has revealed that Townsvillian's have an average age of 34 years with a higher percentage than the state or nation in tertiary education and 50-50 equal composition in male and female citizens.

The largest age group in the City is 20-24 years of age or 8.4% of the population, whilst people aged 65 years and over has risen to 12% from 9.8% in 2011 and we have seen Gen-x (35-55 years old) leaving the City.

Population

Townsville's Local Government area (LGA) population has increased from 174,462 people in 2011 to 186,757 in 2016 with an equal sex demographic of 50% between male and female.

Before the Census was captured on the night of 9th of August 2016, and immediately after, further job cuts occurred and unemployment increased in Townsville causing over nine thousand people to leave the City.

Queensland Nickel went into liquidation in April 2016 and other industries across the LGA struggled on the back of poor economic conditions since the 2011 census, which was captured a couple months after Cyclone Yazi impacted the North Queensland coast north of Townsville.

Townsvillian's Income

The median weekly income for people in a household over the age of 15 years is $1424, or $703 per person and $1705 per family. The per-person income is higher in Townsville than the state and national median income.

But the families and household income for Townsvillian's is lower than equivalent families and households across the state and nation.

Housing

22.8 percent or 14,991 of housing stock in Townsville are owned outright with no borrowings. 35.2% are owned with a mortgage and 38.6% are renting. Average monthly mortgage repayment is $1733.

Private dwellings in the city make up 79,982 properties, an increase of 7203 dwellings from 72,779 in 2011. We have an average of 2.6 persons occupying the household.

“Townsvillian's” are living in separate houses (or single unit dwellings) at 81% of the population, while 10.3% are living in semi-detected townhouses or units and 7.4% are living in flats or apartments. 40.1% of the dwellings have 3 bedrooms, 37% have 4 bedrooms or more and 16.6% has 2 bedrooms.

Renters are paying a median weekly rent of $300, an increase of $10 per week since 2011 and $35 per week less than the national average.

Families, Civil Union and Immigration

The Townsville area has 47,645 families with 1.9 children on average per household.

The composition of our families shows that 38.5% are couples without children, 41.8% are couple families with children, one parent families comprise 18.1% and other families are attributed 1.7% of the total families’ population.

71.1 percent of households are occupied by families, 23.9% are single or lone person households and 4.9% are group households.

81.1 percent of single parents are female, consistent with state and national statistics. On average over the last 5 years, 465 families per year were welcomed into the community.

Townsvillian's have a lower rate of registered marriages than the state and the national averages at 42.9% and a lower rate of social marriages at 43.5%.

De facto marriages are higher than the state and national averages at 14.9%. Persons not married are consistent with both state and national averages.

Community and Household Contribution

Townsville is consistent with the state and nation when it comes to domestic unpaid work. 70.7% said they have done unpaid domestic work in the past week, 28.6% cared for children, 10.4% provided assistance to a person with a disability and 18.4% did voluntary work in the past 12 months.

Transport and Technology

The number of motor vehicles per dwelling is on average 1.8 vehicles. 39.5% of the population have 2 motor vehicles per dwelling. 83.4% of the population has internet access from home, while 14.1% report no internet access at home.

Heritage and Culture

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Townsvillian's make up 7% of the total population at 13040, higher than the state at 4% and nationally attributing 2.8% of the population.

78.6 percent of Townsvillian's are born in Australia, 2.6% are born in England, 2.3% are born in New Zealand, 0.9% is born in the Philippines, and 0.7% is born in India and South Africa making up 0.5% of the population's country of birth.

What is interesting is that 28.5% of the population identify with Australian ancestry, 27% with English, Irish 9.3%, Scottish 7.5% and German 4.0%.

63.8 percent of the population identify that both parents were born in Australia, 16.7% report that both parents were born overseas, 6.2% reported their father was born overseas and 4.9% say their mother was born overseas only.

85.2 percent of the population speak English at home while 9.0% speak a language other than English in the home.

Faith and Religion

Religious identity and association had the greatest change in the past five years as people drifted away from religion on the back of global terrorism, Christian adultery and growing connection to nature, social and environmental science.

53,057 people or 28.4% of the population has stated they have no described religion.

People of Catholic faith make up 26.5% of the population, down from 28.1% in 2011, Anglican followers comprise 15.2% and the Uniting Church religion makes up 5.1% while 10.3% of the population stated having no religion.

Education

However, Catholic education in secondary schools has the 2nd highest student attendance numbers, trailing government schools, and is 1.4% higher than the national average. Meanwhile, the Catholic primary school education system is nearly 2.5% higher than the national average.

17.1 percent of Townsvillian's have attended university or tertiary education, compared to the state at 14.8% and 16.1% across the country.

Although seemingly a minor observation in the statistics, 25.2% of the population did not state their education, which is slightly higher than the state and national averages.

But when assessed in the context of higher education levels and increased opportunities that come from skills, Townsville has a greater gap in education wealth standards.

Therefore, the population has skill capabilities below the state and nation and is less prepared as a community to take opportunities in employment that are on the ascendancy due to routine work being challenged due to rapid changes in technology.

Scope of Census

The Townsville LGA covers a district from Mutarnee to the north, Cungulla to the south and Palm Island.

Employment and occupation related data for singles and families will be realised by the ABS in October 2017.

Further reading:

Census 2016 reveals the typical Australian

Bust the Regional City Myths and Look Beyond the “Big 5” For A $378b Return

First home buyers grant “Pitted” by Queensland Treasurer

Guide to selling a luxury home

Guide to 22 knockout marketing tips to sell a home

Recipe Favourite - Chocolate and Caramel Give it a Crack

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Census 2016 reveals the Typical Australian

The 2016 Australian Census has been released and there are a number of interesting and critical developments in the demographics across the country.

The typical Australian is 38-year-old female with English ancestry, in a coupled relationship with two children and she has completed a year 12 education. She also lives in a house with three bedrooms and two cars.

Census 2016

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has today revealed the first insights from the 2016 Census of Population and Housing, releasing a preview of the key characteristics that make the ‘typical’ Australian in 2016 and highlighting Australia’s diversity.

Today’s release comes ahead of the first Census data release on Tuesday, 27 June 2017. This will include datasets for all national, state/territory and capital cities, along with datasets for small population groups and small geographic areas such as suburbs and Local Government Areas, showing that there’s nothing ‘typical’ about Australians at all!

In the meantime, the 2016 Census has revealed the ‘typical’ Australian is a 38-year-old female who was born in Australia, and is of English ancestry. She is married and lives in a couple family with two children and has completed Year 12. She lives in a house with three bedrooms and two motor vehicles.

The age of the ‘typical’ Australian varies across the states and territories. The ‘typical’ Tasmanian is the oldest of all Australians at 42 years old, while the ‘typical’ Northern Territorian is the youngest at 34 years old.

The ‘typical’ Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person is a lot younger at 23 years old, and is also female.

The ‘typical’ Australian male is 37 years old – a year younger than the ‘typical’ female – and spends less than five hours a week on domestic work, while the ‘typical’ female spends between five and 14 hours a week on domestic work.

In 2016, the ‘typical’ Australian home is owned with a mortgage, but this differs across the country. For example, the ‘typical’ home in Tasmania and New South Wales is owned outright, while the ‘typical’ Northern Territory home is rented. In 2006, the ‘typical’ Australian home was owned outright.

Although our ‘typical’ Australian has both parents born in Australia, the ‘typical’ Australian in New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia has at least one parent who was born overseas.

In 2016, the ‘typical’ migrant in Australia was born in England and is 44 years old; a decade ago they were aged 46. There are however some differences between the states – the ‘typical’ migrant in Queensland was born in New Zealand, while in Victoria the ‘typical’ migrant was born in India. The ‘typical’ migrant in New South Wales was born in China.

The information released today is just a glimpse of what can be expected when 2016 Census data is released in June, thanks to the participation of Australians in last year’s Census. The June release will follow the completion of the ABS’ usual data quality assurance process and the Census Independent Assurance Panel’s quality assurance work.

The Census is Australia’s richest data source, giving insight into Australian life, showing how our local communities and nation have changed over time, and helping governments, business and communities plan for the future. It provides the most comprehensive information about regional areas and small population groups, which helps inform government funding decision-making, policy development and service delivery.

All ‘typical’ Australia profiles, including states and territories are available from the ABS website.

Further information on the release schedule of the 2016 Census is also available from the ABS website.

Further reading:

Bust the Regional City Myths and Look Beyond the “Big 5” For A $378b Return

First home buyers grant “Pitted” by Queensland Treasurer

Guide to selling a luxury home

Guide to 22 knockout marketing tips to sell a home

Free subscription offer

Click on Image to Join TREN

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Idalia - Top Price Winner of the Week - 13 Petrie Way - $580,000

Image: TREN Emagazine - Patio and Pool at 13 Petrie Way Idalia Photo: Living Here

This week’s winner

Idalia has developed from a light industrial suburb to become one of Townsville's fastest growing suburbs. The Fairfield Waters development saw the construction of nearly one thousand homes. Many of the homes are designed to executive standard with large floor areas, en-suites, 4 bedrooms and quality finishing.

This week’s residential property Top Price Winner of the Week has all of the features families have come to enjoy and need space, comfort, convenience, and security.

The property sold for $580,000 which is $165,500 above the current median house price at $414,500 for the suburb. Despite the seemingly positive price outcome, Idalia has seen a 22 percent drop in its median price since Dec 2015. The property was priced at $640,000, which represents a discount of $60,000 or nearly 10 percent.

Idalia has been impacted quite heavily by the difficult economic conditions in Townsville overall and the losses of families and residents moving away from the area have contributed to an unemployment rate above 10 percent.

This suburb has a population of approximately 3600 as at the 2011 sensis but is now closer to 4000 with further developments happening since then.

The property

The marketing agent, Ms. Tracy Crome Principal of Real Estate Agents Living Here at Hermit Park, said: "The owner of the property was an absolute joy to work with and the family that bought the home are very happy."

Ms. Crome describes the property as an "Executive Home plus Amazing Man Shed." She said:

Image: Front view - 13 Petrie Way Adalia Photo: Living Here

Positioned in a prestige area just minutes from everything including walking tracks around the lake and 5 minutes to the city, this executive home assures privacy with no impact from neighbours. It is low maintenance yet enjoys lush tropical surrounds. 

This beautiful home has been built by Award Winning Builder, New Home Solutions, and includes raked ceilings to living areas, granite kitchen , extra large garage, large theatre room, swimming pool, garden shed and a 'Man' Shed that every man will love!!!!

Features Include:

- Four bedrooms (main with ensuite and walk-in-robe)
- Fully air-conditioned and security screens 
- 34 sqm games room / workshop area, insulated and air conditioned with bathroom
- 2 metre deep swimming pool with self cleaning cell and coloured LED programmable lighting
- 5kw Horan & Bird Solar Panels
- 692m2 corner block for side access to the shed
- Separate media room, lounge and dining room
- Designer kitchen with granite bench tops
- Automatic garage 
- Low maintenance landscaping with automatic irrigation system
- Relaxed lifestyle living

Investment profile

TREN’s research has identified that the suburb of Idalia has a population of approximately 3600 people as defined in the 2011 sensis. Between 2006 and 2011, the suburb grew in population by approximately 1600 people.

This property is an example of the valuation difference that exists when new homes are purchased at retail prices directly from the builder and sold as 1st and 2nd generation houses on the property sales market over a relatively short term. The sale of 13 Petrie Way Idalia is a 2nd generation property.

For example, the last sale of this property occurred in April 2013 for $640,000. The land was sold originally for $172,900 in May 2007 to the builder or new home buyer. The dwelling was built between 2007 and 2013, most likely around the time the Fairfield Waters shopping centre was built in 2008. The value of the build (under builders’ contract) is not disclosed. The 1st generation owners most likely lived in the home for approximately 5 years until it was sold in April 2013.

 

Image: Google Map of Idalia Townsville

The next owners, which are the 2nd generation owners, bought the property and most likely lived in it for 12 months as a principal place of residence before putting it on the rental market for $580 per week, attracting the federal government's capital gains discount and negative gearing provisions.

The property was again put on the market in Aug 2016 without sale or settlement and again in January 2017 until it finally sold and settled on 16 June 2017 as our Townsville Weekly Price Winner. The property is now a 3rd generation home.

The suburb represents excellent value. Yet first home buyers of established homes are not eligible for the first home buyers grant if they were to buy this property. In spite of the $20,000 new home buying incentive, the discounts being experienced in Idalia are worthy of both investor and first home buyer attention.

In this example, the buyer has achieved a minimum $60,000 discount as the property sold for $640,000 on the open property market only 4 years ago, and approximately 9 years after the house was originally constructed.

The increase in the population of Idalia occurred when the Fairfield Waters housing estate was created in 1998. The most significant growth occurred when the Fairfield Shopping Centre was developed in 2008.

The suburb has a current median house price of $414,500, down approximately 10 percent from $460,000 over 12 months ago. Units in Idalia have a median unit price of $240,000 down a massive 40 percent over the past 12 months from $405,000.

The sale price achieved for this property of $580,000 will have a positive impact on the median house prices in Idalia as it exceeds the current median house price for the suburb. Approximately 64 house sales have been recorded in Idalia over the past 12 months.

The median rental price for houses in Idalia is $410 per week producing a yield of approximately 5 percent from 194 tenanted properties in 12 months. Units have a median rental price of $330 per week producing a yield of approximately 3.7 percent from 31 tenanted units in 12 months.

Idalia has a desirable lifestyle for couples and families with shops, schools, university and well established landscaped streets and water side walking and bikes paths in the area. Maturing, established and older couples and their families make up 58% of the population. Independent youth makeup 11% and established independent people make up 11% of the population.

The old Ross River meat works in Idalia is of heritage significance. It closed down in 1995 after 103 years of operation. The chimney of the old meatworks has been retained. The meat works have now been demolished. The suburb supported workers in the meat industry, including the establishment of a meat experiment station in 1914 until it was taken over by the CSIRO in 1932. During the second world war, a military camp was established in Idalia.

The Oonoonba Primary School has taken enrolments since 1920. The current location of the school is approximately 300 metres walking distance of this property which was established as a new school in 2002. Southern Cross Catholic School is 1.5 kilometres and three other schools are located 2 to 2.5 kilometres from the property. James Cook University and Australia's largest army base, Lavarack Army Barracks, is approximately 5 minutes drive from the property.

The demand for housing in Idalia has increased over 100% since prices have reduced over the past 12 months. Over the same period, demand for rental accommodation has been steady. Prices for rental properties have also been steady while housing sale prices have reduced by nearly 10 percent and unit prices have reduced by nearly 40 percent.

Previous Week’s Winner

Castle Hill - 18 The Point - Top Price Winner of the Week - $955,000

Further reading

Guide to selling a luxury home

Guide to 22 knockout marketing tips to sell a home

Top Price Winner of the Week - Mysterton $755,000

Free subscription offer

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How to stay up-to-date

Do you have an opinion about real estate pricing or marketing?

The TREN community wants to hear your story.

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Recipe Favourite - Chocolate and Caramel Give It A Crack!

Image: Chocolate and Caramel Give it a Crack!

Chocolate Caramel Crack

If you are looking for something easy to make to take to the office party or even to spoil the kids when they get home then look no further than Chocolate Caramel Crack.

This 4 ingredient recipe will be leaving you wanting more. The only drawback is those that try it will be wanting you to make it all the time.

The following recipe is for Thermomix TM31 however as you will see it is very easy to convert this if you aren't the owner of a Thermomix. Give it a crack!

Ingredients

• 200 grams chocolate (Cadbury milk melts)
• 225 grams butter
• 200 grams brown sugar
• 1 package Salada biscuits

Method

• Preheat oven to 200-220 degrees celcius.
• Make sure the chocolate milk melts are cold. Blitz in Thermomix 5-10 seconds speed 8.
• Set chocolate aside and ensure the bowl is clean.
• Add butter and brown sugar to TM bowl, cook for 12 mins, varoma temperature, speed 3.
• Scrape down the sides then cook for a further 3 mins, varoma temp, soft speed.
• Line a baking tray with foil, and line with 1 layer of salada crackers. Don't worry if some overlap a little.
• Pour the finished toffee all over the tray of salada crackers, making sure the toffee covers the salada crackers all the way to the edges.
• Place tray in the oven and let the toffee bubble, when toffee is a nice golden colour and bubbles all over. This should take 5 minutes.
• Remove from oven, let the toffee bubbles settle and immediately sprinkle the chocolate all over the toffee. Spread as it melts to make it smooth.
• Place tray in fridge for a few hours to set.
• Once set remove the alfoil and break into pieces.
• Best stored in the fridge until eaten.

Options

• Once the chocolate has melted over the toffee biscuits sprinkle desiccated coconut, or walnuts, or popping candy.
• Instead of milk chocolate use white chocolate. Or use both chocolates separately and marble the chocolate topping.

Recipe Source: Thermomix Recipe Community

Let's get cracking!
Enjoy.

Other favourite recipes

Recipe Favourite - Easy Peasy Strawberry Jam

How to stay up-to-date

Further reading:

Recipe Favourite - Banana and Date Cake

Guide to 22 knockout marketing tips to sell a home

Guide to selling a luxury home

Do you have an opinion or have a favourite recipe you wish to share? The TREN community wants to hear your story.

Submit your news here.

Become a subscriber to TREN and eMagazine and be the first to receive local breaking stories, analysis and opinions on the Townsville real estate market.

Bank fees in billions for home owners

Image: Bank customer at ATM

The Reserve Bank of Australia released new data this month and found that Australians are paying for $1 billion a year in banking fees. These fees are the higher charges that are linked to home loans and credit cards.

Property owners and credit card holders are throwing hundreds of dollars a year out the window in banking fees that are unnecessary. Banking customers are being urged to review the bank fees and charges they have one their credit cards and mortgages.

Bank comparisons

Rate City, a financial comparison website and released the data and found the fees collected from credit cards totalled $1.56 billion, which is an increase of 48 million from two years ago. Fees from home lending rose by $5 million from the previous year to reach a record $1.24 billion a year in bank fees.

Homeowners with bank mortgages are paying on average almost $500 per year in banking fees, of which $240 a year is in mortgage fees and $230 in credit card fees.

More money is being spent on fees because of the accumulation of credit cards and bigger debt on housing. Rate city spokesperson, Sally Kendall said, "There is no need for Australians to be labelled with fees on credit cards, home loans and transaction accounts when there are a range of fee-free alternatives on offer", she commented to the Townsville Bulletin.

Home and application fees can be up to $1580 well credit card fees can reach $1200. The industry association representing Australian bankers identified the more banking products were being opened by account holders and that this was causing the growth in fees. Actual fees were not growing at the same rate the Association for Australian bankers observed.

Tips and guidelines

The Australian and Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) website, Money Smart identifies excellent questions and guidelines for mortgage and credit card customers to reduce fees by the banks.

Further reading:

Who's responsible? Housing Policy Mismatch to our $6 Trillion Asset

Bust the Regional City Myths and Look Beyond the “Big 5” For A $378b Return

First home buyers grant “Pitted” by Queensland Treasurer

Guide to selling a luxury home

Guide to 22 knockout marketing tips to sell a home

Free subscription offer

You’re fired! The best summer. Bugger – Go Digital.Join TREN. It’s Free. Explore more…

How to stay up-to-date

Do you have an opinion about bank fees?

The TREN community wants to hear your story.

Become a subscriber to TREN eMgazine and be the first to receive local breaking stories, analysis and opinions on the Townsville real estate market.

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