The Boyne Island Tannum Sands community has a higher socio-economic profile in comparison to the Gladstone Region.

• The median weekly household income is $1,948 compared to $1,693 for the Gladstone Region.
• 31 per cent of households earn $3,000 or more per week compared to 19.8 per cent for the Gladstone Region
• 6.4 per cent households earn less than $650 each week compared to 7.2 per cent for Gladstone Region, which is a decrease of 6.4 per cent compared to 2016.
• 39.6 per cent of non-family households earn less than $650 each week compared to 47.0 per cent for Gladstone Region, which is a 1.3 per cent increase compared to 2016.

61.8 per cent of people aged 15 and over are in the labour force, which is slightly higher than 2016 data at 59.6 pe rcent, but less than 2011 with 66.6 per cent.

The unemployment rate for the Boyne Tannum community has fluctuated over time being 3.8 per cent (296 people) in 2021, 7.6 per cent (536 people) in 2016 and 2.7 per cent (195 people) in 2011, which could be attributed to the volume of employment opportunities throughout construction periods and ongoing operations.

The Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) is an index of relative socio-economic disadvantage, which in 2016 suggests the community of Boyne Island and Tannum Sands is less disadvantaged with a score of 1014.

The SEIFA score for Gladstone Region in 2016 was 978. Across Australia’s local government areas, SEIFA scores range from 188 (most disadvantaged) to 1186 (least disadvantaged).

27.3 per cent of households are owned outright in Boyne Island Tannum Sands which is slightly lower than the Gladstone Region at 29.1 per cent.

There has been a steady increase of households owned outright across the decade, with almost 25 per cent between the two Census periods.This is slightly higher than the regional percentage of 21 per cent across the same period.The continued increase may correlate with a similar trend of increase in over 65 residents wishing to age in place.

Almost 40 per cent of households have a mortgage in Boyne Tannum, compared to 36 per cent for the Gladstone Region and

39.6 per cent of households have a mortgage in Boyne Tannum, compared to 36.5 per cent for Gladstone Region and 34.4 per cent for the State. There has been very little change in the percentage of mortgagees in the Boyne Island Tannum Sands area across the decade.

31.7 per cent of dwellings are rented in Boyne Island Tannum Sands compared to 33.3 per cent in the Gladstone Region. Whilst slightly lower than the region, there has been a 28 per cent increase in renters in the Boyne Tannum area.

There has been a 30.7 per cent increase in residents that have rented from a State Housing Authority between 2011 and 2021.In addition, there has been a 142 per cent increase in residents renting from Community Housing Providers.

The average mortgage repayment is $1,733 which is higher than the Gladstone Region by $133 but the same as the State. There has been a $434 reduction in average mortgage payments between 2021 and 2011 with the largest reduction being $325 between 2021 and 2016.

There is a general trend of monthly mortgage payments between $2,400 and $4,000 reducing over the last 10 years. Households paying $2,400-$2,999 reduced by 7.1 per cent (100), those paying $3,000- $3,999 reduced by 9.7 per cent (135).

There is a general increase of households paying between $0 -$2,399 over the same period. The most significant change is an 8.9 per cent increase (123) for those paying $1,400-$,1799 and those paying $1,000-$1,399 with a 7.4 per cent (100) increase.

The median rent for Boyne Tannum is $300 compared to $275 in the Gladstone Region and $365 in the State. The median rent in Boyne Tannum has fluctuated over time being, $300 in 2021, $200 in 2016 and $360 in 2011.The construction of the LNG industries on Curtis Island may have impacted on the high rental price in 2011.

Considerations:

Across the decade there has been an increase in home owners without a mortgage.  This increase correlates with the increase in over 65 residents staying in the region until 85.  Health services and programs supporting wellbeing should be considered for this area.

A large proportion of people living in Boyne Island Tannum Sands are relatively affluent and should have the financial capacity to pursue activities and use facilities and services.  However, affordable activities should still be provided to support lower income households, older adults and students who are likely to earn lower incomes.

With the significant increase of retiree's ageing in place at Boyne Island and Tannum Sands, infrastructure planning could consider this locality for retirement living. With the nation's housing crisis affecting all areas, this strategy could free up housing stock for other purposes.

Department of Social Services Payments

Education, Employment & Young People:

Seniors

Photo courtesy of Rio Tinto