This Paper presents a preliminary assessment of the social aspects of the Australian road system. The focus of the research undertaken for this Paper was on examining a number of complementary approaches that could be utilised to identify and assess the overall social dimensions of roads. For the purpose of extending this conceptual accessibility and proximity framework on a practical level, the study sought to identify the subjectively perceived attributes of roads and determinants of their quality, and the types of changes which they may undergo and which affect their role.

• Social Aspects of Australian Roads
  
  op_068.pdf
  (2.62 MB)

This study examines the risk associated with major oil spills (over 1000 tonnes) in open water anywhere on the Australian coast. This differs from previous work which has focused on the more numerous, smaller spills associated with ship operations in ports and sheltered waters. The study also examines the logistic constraints on providing rapid response along the whole length of the coast.

• Major Marine Oil Spills–Risk and Response
  
  report_070.pdf
  (2.81 MB)

This report assesses the social impacts of a range of scenarios developed for non-urban rail by the Railway Industry Council to set out reform options for railway systems in Australia. Use is made of Australian Bureau of Statistics census data for 1981 and 1986, data from railway systems in Australia and results from a survey of redundant and redeployed railway workers.

• The Social Impacts of Rail Systems Rationalisation
  
  report_072.pdf
  (3.97 MB)

This report analyses trends in educational attainment and occupational status in Australia. It investigates the spatial distribution of skills, qualifications, selected professionals and skilled tradespeople across Australia's regions in the period 1991 to 2001.

• Focus on Regions No. 2: Education, Skills and Qualifications
  
  ip_051.pdf
  (1.41 MB)
• Human capital education database
  
  
  ip_051a.xls
  (13.26 MB)
• Human capital occupation database
  
  
  ip_051b.xls
  (10.49 MB)

The paper and associated database directly tackle the issue of quantifying economic growth in regions. BTRE derived regional economic activity indices for every Local Government Area in Australia from 1980–81 to 2004–05. The figures are based on Australian Taxation Office individual income data which have been reworked to allow easy comparisons between standard regions and over time.

• Focus on Regions No 3: Taxable Income
  
  ip_054.pdf
  (2.25 MB)
• Taxable Income Database [updated 23 Jan 2008]
  
  
  ip_054.xls
  (4.71 MB)

Social capital theory proposes that social networks and norms have a role to play in influencing a community's development. This paper presents and analyses statistical information relating to social capital in Australia and its regions, using a set of 33 social capital indicators for 2001–02. It also explores the relationship between social capital and the economic and social wellbeing of Australia's regions. The paper is accompanied by the BTRE's Social Capital Indicators Database.

• Focus on Regions No 4: Social Capital
  
  ip_055.pdf
  (9.47 MB)
• Social capital indicators
  
  
  ip_055.xls
  (987.5 KB)

Back issues of About Australia's Regions from 2003–06

• About Australia's Regions 2006
  
  stats_002_ar06.pdf
  (561.94 KB)

• About Australia's Regions 2005
  
  stats_002_ar05.pdf
  (893.08 KB)

• About Australia's Regions 2004
  
  stats_002_ar04.pdf
  (351.06 KB)

• About Australia's Regions 2003
  
  stats_002_ar03.pdf
  (1.46 MB)