Statistics About Toowoomba

INTRODUCTION

Toowoomba is Australia’s largest inland provincial city and is located only 90 minutes drive from the State’s capital, Brisbane.

Toowoomba is the ecomomic and commercial hub of the Darling Downs and covers an area of 116sq km.

CLIMATE

The average mean maximum temperature for Toowoomba ranges from 16.30C in July to 27.60C in January, whilst the mean minimum temperature ranges from 5.30C in July to 16.60C in both January and February. Average annual rainfall in Toowoomba is 950mm with Feburary typically being the wettest month (122.4mm).

POPULATION

The population of the Toowoomba Statistical Sub-division (or Greater Toowoomba) in 2005 was 119,133, of which there were 95,956 persons residing in the City of Toowoomba. Greater Toowoomba recorded an annual population increase of 2.5% in 2005, which was higher than the State growth of 2.0%. In 2005, Greater Toowoomba accounted for 53.5% of the Darling Downs population, an increase from 51.8% share recorded in 2000.

RETAIL & COMMERCIAL RENTAL

Low (m²/p.a) High (m²/p.a.)

CBD

Prime $175 $285

Secondary $130 $160

Suburban (retail only)

Prime $250 $420

EMPLOYMENT

For the fifth consecutive quarter, Toowoomba recorded positive annual growth in trend employment, which increased by 6.2% over the year to be at 45,190 persons in the December Quarter 2003. This growth occurred despite a slight decline in employment in quarterly terms.

Unemployment in the Toowoomba city is still at low levels when compared to other Queensland regions and State and National averages, with rates well below those recorded in Townsville(7.6%) and Rockhampton (8.5%).

In the Toowoomba region, unemployment is greater in the younger age groups, with employment at a higher level in the older age groups.

EMPLOYMENT BY OCCUPATION

Professional employment was the most prominent occupation in Toowoomba in 2001, providing employment for 6,511 persons (or 18.2% of the total). Intermediate clerical, sales & service workers (17.7%) were the next most common form of occupation, followed by tradespersons & related workers(13.3%).

INDUSTRY

Agriculture is the largest industry in the region contributing $865.1 million or 14.0% to Gross Regional Product in 2002/03.

The Darling Downs region is a large producer of grain, cotton, beef, dairy products and pork. The region also has a growing horticultural industry, with some of the world’s largest producers of Echinacea, mushrooms and olive tree seedlings.

EDUCATION

Toowoomba has one of the highest ratios of education facilites per head of population in Australia making it one of the most prominent education centres in both Queensland and Australia.

51.7% of students are enrolled in government schools and 48.3% in non-government schools.

In terms of tertiary education, Toowoomba is home to the Southern Queensland Institute of Tafe Toowoomba Tafe College and the University of Southern Queensland (USQ).

HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

Toowoomba is served by three hospitals (two of them private) and a stand-alone day surgery. The Toowoomba Hospital has 200 beds, 9 operating theatres and a day surgery, while St. Andrews Hospital boasts 111 beds, 5 operating theatres and a day surgery. St. Vincent’s Hospital has 5 operating theatres, 188 beds and 2-day surgeries.

TRANSPORT

Rail connects Toowoomba to its major point of overseas export, Brisbane, and to the interior south-west areas of Queensland. Toowoomba is to be a major link in the proposed Melbourne to Darwin rail system.

HOUSE PRICES

As a result of a booming housing market, median house prices have risen throughout the Toowoomba LGA between the year ended March 2003 and the year ended March 2004. Rangeville (45.6%), Harlaxton (41.8%), Mount Lofty (37.4%) and South Toowoomba (35.4%) experienced the most significant growth in median house prices over this period.

TOURISM

Toowoomba boasts numerous events and attractions that draw tourists from both domestic and international markets. The Australian Gospel Music Festival staged over the Easter weekend and the Carnival of Flowers, which takes place in September, are Toowoomba’s premier tourist events, drawing thousands of visitors to the region every year. 0.