Wollongong City Council Social Plan 2007-11
www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au
Hard copies of the Plan can be obtained by contacting
Council’s Social Planning Team on 4227 7017 or emailing socialplanning@wollongong.nsw.gov.au
Disclaimer
Whilst every reasonable effort and care has been taken in the preparation of this document to ensure accuracy, Wollongong City
Council accepts neither responsibility nor any liability in respect to any omission, error, loss or consequence caused by the use of this document for whatever purposes.
ꢀMessageꢀfromꢀtheꢀLordꢀMayorꢀ 4
ꢀ5MessageꢀfromꢀtheꢀChiefꢀExecutiveꢀOfficerꢀ
ꢀ6CityꢀVision,ꢀCouncil’sꢀMission,ꢀOurꢀValues,ꢀOurꢀBusinessꢀPrinciplesꢀ
ꢀ7TheꢀCharterꢀofꢀtheꢀPeopleꢀofꢀWollongongꢀ
ꢀ8StatementꢀofꢀReconciliationꢀandꢀCommitmentꢀ
1 INTrOdUCTION 9
ꢀ1.1ꢀWhatꢀisꢀtheꢀpurposeꢀofꢀtheꢀDemographicꢀProfile?ꢀ 10
ꢀ1.2ꢀDataꢀSourcesꢀ 10
ꢀ11 1.3ꢀHowꢀtoꢀreadꢀtheꢀWollongongꢀCityꢀCouncilꢀDemographicꢀProfileꢀ
ꢀ11 1.4ꢀUpdatingꢀtheꢀInformationꢀ
ꢀ11 1.5ꢀGlossaryꢀofꢀTermsꢀandꢀAcronymsꢀ
2 ChArACTer STATemeNT 12
3 SNAPShOT Of The WOLLONGONG LOCAL GOverNmeNT AreA 14
4 demOGrAPhIC PrOfILe 16
ꢀ4.1ꢀPopulationꢀSizeꢀandꢀGrowthꢀ 17
4.2ꢀAgeꢀProfileꢀ ꢀ17
4.3ꢀPopulationꢀProjectionsꢀ ꢀ19
4.4ꢀCountryꢀofꢀBirthꢀ ꢀ20
4.5ꢀLanguageꢀSpokenꢀatꢀHomeꢀ ꢀ22
4.6ꢀReligiousꢀAffiliationꢀ ꢀ24
4.7ꢀAboriginalꢀandꢀTorresꢀStraitꢀIslanderꢀPopulationꢀ ꢀ25
4.8ꢀPeopleꢀwithꢀaꢀDisabilityꢀ ꢀ26
4.9ꢀMaritalꢀStatusꢀ ꢀ27
4.10ꢀFamilyꢀStructureꢀ ꢀ27
4.11ꢀOccupationꢀ ꢀ29
4.12ꢀIndustryꢀofꢀEmploymentꢀ ꢀ30
5 SOCIAL INdICATOrS 31
ꢀ5.1ꢀEmploymentꢀ 32
ꢀ5.2ꢀHomeꢀOwnershipꢀandꢀHousingꢀAffordabilityꢀ 33
ꢀ5.3ꢀIncomeꢀDistributionꢀ 34
5.4ꢀCarꢀOwnershipꢀandꢀTransportationꢀ ꢀ36
5.5ꢀAccessꢀtoꢀInformationꢀTechnologyꢀ ꢀ37
5.6ꢀEducationalꢀAttainmentꢀandꢀQualificationsꢀ ꢀ39
6 refereNCeS 41
WOLLONGONG CITY COUNCIL SOCIAL PLAN 2007-11 ꢀ tablꢂ oꢃ contꢂnts
LIST Of TAꢅLeS
Table 1ꢀTotalꢀPopulationꢀ-ꢀWollongong,ꢀIllawarraꢀandꢀNSWꢀ1976-01ꢀwithꢀPercentageꢀChangeꢀ
Table 2ꢀTotalꢀPersonsꢀandꢀPercentageꢀofꢀTotalꢀPersonsꢀbyꢀAgeꢀ–ꢀWollongong,ꢀIllawarraꢀandꢀNSWꢀ2001ꢀ
Table 3ꢀAgeꢀProfile,ꢀActualꢀandꢀEstimatesꢀ–ꢀWollongongꢀ2001ꢀ
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22
23
27
27
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32
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36
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37
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40
Table 4ꢀCountryꢀofꢀBirth,ꢀTotalꢀPersonsꢀandꢀPercentageꢀofꢀTotalꢀPersonsꢀ–ꢀWollongong,ꢀIllawarraꢀandꢀNSWꢀ2001ꢀ
Table 5ꢀTopꢀ10ꢀLanguagesꢀforꢀSettlersꢀtoꢀWollongongꢀLGAꢀforꢀPeriodꢀ01.01.2000ꢀ–ꢀ01.01.2006ꢀ
Table 6ꢀLanguageꢀSpokenꢀatꢀHome,ꢀTotalꢀPersonsꢀandꢀPercentageꢀTotalꢀPersonsꢀ–ꢀWollongong,ꢀIllawarra,ꢀNSWꢀ2001ꢀ
Table 7ꢀMaritalꢀStatus,ꢀPeopleꢀAgedꢀ15ꢀyearsꢀandꢀoverꢀ–ꢀWollongongꢀ2001ꢀ
Table 8ꢀFamilyꢀStructureꢀ–ꢀWollongong,ꢀIllawarra,ꢀNSWꢀ2001ꢀ
Table 9ꢀRelationshipꢀtheꢀHouseholdꢀ–ꢀWollongong,ꢀIllawarra,ꢀNSWꢀ2001ꢀ
Table 10ꢀOccupationꢀinꢀtheꢀWollongongꢀLGAꢀ–ꢀ2001ꢀ
Table 11ꢀIndustryꢀofꢀEmploymentꢀbyꢀSexꢀ–ꢀWollongongꢀ2001ꢀ
Table 12ꢀLabourꢀForceꢀStatusꢀbyꢀAge,ꢀPersonsꢀAgedꢀ15ꢀYearsꢀandꢀOverꢀ–ꢀWollongongꢀ2001ꢀ
Table 13ꢀDwellingꢀStructureꢀandꢀNumberꢀofꢀPersonsꢀUsuallyꢀResidentꢀ–ꢀWollongongꢀ2001ꢀ
Table 14ꢀTenureꢀofꢀHousingꢀ–ꢀWollongongꢀ2001ꢀ
Table 15ꢀLoanꢀRepaymentꢀAveragesꢀ
Table 16ꢀIncomeꢀAveragesꢀ
Table 17ꢀWeeklyꢀIndividualꢀIncomeꢀ–ꢀWollongong,ꢀIllawarraꢀandꢀNSWꢀ2001ꢀ
Table 18ꢀMotorꢀVehiclesꢀperꢀDwellingꢀ–ꢀWollongongꢀ2001ꢀ
Table 19ꢀModeꢀofꢀTransportꢀtoꢀWorkꢀ–ꢀWollongong,ꢀIllawarraꢀandꢀNSWꢀ2001ꢀ
Table 20ꢀComputerꢀUsageꢀatꢀHomeꢀ–ꢀWollongong,ꢀIllawarraꢀandꢀNSWꢀ2001ꢀ
Table 21ꢀInternetꢀUsageꢀ–ꢀWollongong,ꢀIllawarraꢀandꢀNSWꢀ2001ꢀ
Table 22ꢀEducationꢀInstitutionsꢀofꢀAttendanceꢀ–ꢀWollongong,ꢀIllawarraꢀandꢀNSWꢀ2001ꢀ
Table 23ꢀQualificationsꢀHeld,ꢀPeopleꢀagedꢀ15ꢀyearsꢀandꢀoverꢀ-ꢀWollongong,ꢀIllawarraꢀandꢀNSWꢀ2001ꢀ
Table 24ꢀQualificationꢀHeldꢀ(selectedꢀqualifications)ꢀ–ꢀWollongongꢀ1986-2001ꢀ
ꢁ WOLLONGONG CITY COUNCIL SOCIAL PLAN 2007-11
Graph 1ꢀPercentageꢀPopulationꢀChangeꢀ1976-01ꢀ-ꢀWollongong,ꢀIllawarraꢀandꢀNSWꢀ
Graph 2ꢀPercentageꢀTotalꢀPersonsꢀbyꢀAgeꢀ–ꢀWollongong,ꢀIllawarraꢀandꢀNSWꢀ2001ꢀ
Graph 3ꢀPercentageꢀChangeꢀbyꢀAgeꢀCategoryꢀ–ꢀWollongongꢀ1996-2001ꢀ
Graph 4ꢀPercentageꢀofꢀBirthplacesꢀ–ꢀWollongongꢀLGAꢀ2001ꢀ
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27
28
29
35
35
40
Graph 5ꢀNumberꢀofꢀPeopleꢀBornꢀOverseasꢀ–ꢀWollongongꢀ2001ꢀ
Graph 6ꢀReligiousꢀBeliefsꢀ–ꢀWollongongꢀLGAꢀ2001ꢀ
Graph 7ꢀPercentageꢀofꢀAboriginalꢀandꢀTorresꢀStraitꢀIslanderꢀPopulationꢀ–ꢀWollongong,ꢀIllawarra,ꢀandꢀNSWꢀ2001ꢀ
Graph 8ꢀAgeꢀofꢀIndigenousꢀPersons,ꢀWollongong:ꢀ1991,ꢀ1996,ꢀ2001ꢀ
Graph 9ꢀPercentageꢀofꢀPeopleꢀwithꢀaꢀDisabilityꢀbyꢀAgeꢀ–ꢀNSWꢀ1998ꢀ
Graph 10ꢀMaritalꢀStatusꢀPercentagesꢀ–ꢀWollongong,ꢀIllawarra,ꢀandꢀNSWꢀ2001ꢀ
Graph 11ꢀFamilyꢀStructureꢀPercentageꢀ–ꢀWollongong,ꢀIllawarraꢀandꢀNSWꢀ2001ꢀ
Graph 12ꢀOccupationꢀTrendsꢀinꢀWollongong,ꢀ%ꢀofꢀpeopleꢀemployedꢀ-ꢀ1986ꢀtoꢀ2001ꢀ
Graph 13ꢀWeeklyꢀIndividualꢀIncomeꢀ–ꢀWollongong,ꢀIllawarra,ꢀNSWꢀ2001ꢀ
Graph 14ꢀWeeklyꢀIndividualꢀIncome,ꢀMalesꢀandꢀFemalesꢀ-ꢀWollongongꢀ
Graph 15ꢀQualificationꢀHeldꢀbyꢀGenderꢀ–ꢀWollongongꢀ2001ꢀ
Acknowledgements
WollongongꢀCityꢀCouncilꢀwouldꢀ likeꢀtoꢀthankꢀtheꢀfollowingꢀwhoꢀ contributedꢀtoꢀtheꢀdevelopmentꢀofꢀ theꢀSocialꢀPlanꢀ2007-11:
•ꢀTheꢀGovernmentꢀagencies,ꢀ nonꢀGovernmentꢀagenciesꢀandꢀ individualsꢀwhoꢀassistedꢀinꢀtheꢀ developmentꢀofꢀtheꢀstrategies.
•ꢀWollongongꢀCityꢀCouncilꢀ employeesꢀthatꢀcarriedꢀoutꢀ theꢀcommunityꢀengagement,ꢀ researchꢀandꢀstrategyꢀ developmentꢀforꢀtheꢀPlan.
•ꢀTheꢀmembersꢀofꢀtheꢀcommunityꢀ •ꢀTheꢀmanyꢀindividualsꢀthatꢀ thatꢀparticipatedꢀinꢀtheꢀSocialꢀ
DataꢀResearchꢀProjectsꢀ(SDRP)ꢀ
2004ꢀandꢀ2005. providedꢀvaluableꢀfeedbackꢀonꢀ theꢀdraftꢀPlan.
WOLLONGONG CITY COUNCIL SOCIAL PLAN 2007-11 ꢂ
AsꢀLordꢀMayorꢀofꢀtheꢀCityꢀofꢀWollongongꢀIꢀhaveꢀgreatꢀ pleasureꢀinꢀpresentingꢀtheꢀWollongongꢀCityꢀCouncilꢀ
SocialꢀPlanꢀforꢀ2007-11.ꢀ
Wollongongꢀcanꢀexpectꢀsignificantꢀchangesꢀinꢀtheꢀ nextꢀfiveꢀyearsꢀinꢀregardꢀtoꢀpopulation,ꢀgrowthꢀandꢀ development.ꢀTheꢀSocialꢀPlanꢀwillꢀplayꢀaꢀsignificantꢀroleꢀ inꢀaccommodatingꢀtheseꢀchangesꢀbyꢀidentifyingꢀtheꢀ needsꢀandꢀaspirationsꢀofꢀallꢀourꢀresidents.ꢀ
TheꢀSocialꢀPlanꢀisꢀaꢀresultꢀofꢀextensiveꢀꢀ consultationꢀwithꢀmoreꢀthanꢀ5000ꢀpeopleꢀthroughoutꢀ theꢀCityꢀparticipatingꢀinꢀaꢀrangeꢀofꢀengagementꢀ methodsꢀincludingꢀsurveys,ꢀfocusꢀgroups,ꢀkiosksꢀꢀ andꢀworkshops.
Thisꢀimportantꢀdocumentꢀwillꢀprovideꢀaꢀvaluableꢀtoolꢀ toꢀguideꢀCouncilꢀpolicyꢀandꢀourꢀexternalꢀpartnersꢀtoꢀ addressꢀsocialꢀissuesꢀsuchꢀasꢀaccess,ꢀemployment,ꢀ diversityꢀandꢀhousing.ꢀTheꢀSocialꢀPlanꢀproposesꢀtoꢀ implementꢀtheseꢀstrategiesꢀoverꢀtheꢀnextꢀfiveꢀyearsꢀtoꢀ enhanceꢀtheꢀqualityꢀofꢀlifeꢀofꢀtheꢀbroaderꢀcommunityꢀ includingꢀtargetꢀgroupsꢀsuchꢀasꢀwomen,ꢀchildrenꢀandꢀ families,ꢀandꢀolderꢀpeople.ꢀ
Iꢀfullyꢀendorseꢀandꢀsupportꢀtheꢀinitiativesꢀcontainedꢀinꢀ theꢀWollongongꢀCityꢀCouncilꢀSocialꢀPlanꢀ2007-11ꢀandꢀ extendꢀmyꢀappreciationꢀtoꢀlocalꢀresidents,ꢀcommunityꢀ organisations,ꢀGovernmentꢀagenciesꢀandꢀstaffꢀfromꢀ
Council’sꢀCommunityꢀandꢀCulturalꢀServicesꢀDivisionꢀ whoꢀcontributedꢀtoꢀtheꢀdevelopmentꢀofꢀthisꢀPlan.ꢀ
Councilloꢀ Alꢂx daꢀling
Loꢀꢁ mayoꢀ
City oꢃ Wollongong
ꢃ WOLLONGONG CITY COUNCIL SOCIAL PLAN 2007-11
TheꢀWollongongꢀCityꢀCouncilꢀSocialꢀPlanꢀ2007-11ꢀisꢀ theꢀthirdꢀSocialꢀPlanꢀpreparedꢀbyꢀtheꢀCommunityꢀandꢀ
CulturalꢀServicesꢀDivisionꢀofꢀWollongongꢀCityꢀCouncil.
AsꢀwellꢀasꢀbeingꢀaꢀrequirementꢀofꢀtheꢀDepartmentꢀofꢀ
LocalꢀGovernment,ꢀtheꢀSocialꢀPlanꢀwillꢀensureꢀthatꢀ
Council’sꢀPlanningꢀandꢀDevelopmentꢀPoliciesꢀreflectꢀtheꢀ socialꢀissuesꢀofꢀourꢀcommunityꢀforꢀtheꢀnextꢀfiveꢀyears.ꢀ
TheꢀSocialꢀPlanꢀisꢀdividedꢀintoꢀthreeꢀVolumes.ꢀ
Volumeꢀ1ꢀcontainsꢀaꢀPlanꢀtoꢀidentifyꢀandꢀaddressꢀ theꢀissuesꢀsurroundingꢀspecificꢀtargetꢀgroupsꢀinꢀ
Wollongong.ꢀTheseꢀincludeꢀAboriginalꢀandꢀTorresꢀStraitꢀ
Islanderꢀpeople,ꢀchildrenꢀandꢀtheirꢀfamilies,ꢀmen,ꢀolderꢀ people,ꢀpeopleꢀfromꢀculturallyꢀandꢀlinguisticallyꢀdiverseꢀ backgrounds,ꢀpeopleꢀwithꢀaꢀdisability,ꢀwomen,ꢀandꢀ youngꢀpeople.
Volumeꢀ2ꢀhighlightsꢀaꢀrangeꢀofꢀstrategiesꢀtoꢀmanageꢀ issuesꢀaffectingꢀtheꢀbroaderꢀcommunity.ꢀThisꢀsectionꢀ reflectsꢀtheꢀPlan’sꢀaimꢀtoꢀdevelopꢀaꢀcoordinatedꢀsocialꢀ directionꢀtoꢀdealꢀwithꢀissuesꢀsuchꢀasꢀtheꢀbuiltꢀandꢀ naturalꢀenvironment,ꢀsafetyꢀandꢀaccess,ꢀandꢀequityꢀꢀ andꢀdiversity.ꢀ
Volumeꢀ3ꢀisꢀaꢀDemographicꢀProfileꢀprovidingꢀ comprehensiveꢀinformationꢀandꢀstatisticsꢀaboutꢀtheꢀ
Wollongongꢀcommunity.ꢀTheseꢀdemographicsꢀwillꢀ guideꢀlocalꢀserviceꢀprovidersꢀasꢀwellꢀasꢀGovernmentꢀ andꢀnonꢀGovernmentꢀagenciesꢀwhenꢀexaminingꢀtheꢀ needsꢀofꢀtheꢀCity.ꢀ
TheꢀSocialꢀPlanꢀaimsꢀtoꢀimproveꢀtheꢀqualityꢀofꢀlifeꢀforꢀtheꢀ
WollongongꢀcommunityꢀandꢀonꢀbehalfꢀofꢀCouncilꢀIꢀlookꢀ forwardꢀtoꢀembracingꢀthisꢀimportantꢀsocialꢀframework.ꢀ roꢁ Oxlꢂy, PSm
Cꢆiꢂꢃ exꢂcutiꢄꢂ Oꢃficꢂꢀ
Wollongong City Council
WOLLONGONG CITY COUNCIL SOCIAL PLAN 2007-11 ꢄ ꢃoꢀꢂwoꢀꢁ city vision our vAlues
Anꢀinnovative,ꢀprosperousꢀandꢀsustainableꢀCityꢀofferingꢀ Inꢀeverythingꢀweꢀdo,ꢀweꢀwillꢀalways: itsꢀpeople,ꢀvisitorsꢀandꢀinvestorsꢀtheꢀhighestꢀstandardsꢀ
•ꢀRespectꢀandꢀrespondꢀtoꢀcommunityꢀneeds ofꢀenvironment,ꢀcommunityꢀlife,ꢀservicesꢀꢀ
•ꢀContinuallyꢀimproveꢀtheꢀqualityꢀofꢀourꢀservices andꢀinfrastructure.
•ꢀBeꢀopenꢀandꢀaccessible council’s mission
•ꢀBeꢀfairꢀandꢀequitable
Toꢀbeꢀaꢀlocalꢀgovernmentꢀofꢀexcellenceꢀthatꢀenhancesꢀ ourꢀCity’sꢀqualityꢀofꢀlifeꢀandꢀenvironmentꢀthroughꢀ effectiveꢀleadership,ꢀcommunityꢀinvolvementꢀandꢀ commitmentꢀtoꢀservice.
•ꢀActꢀwithꢀhonestyꢀandꢀintegrity
•ꢀValueꢀpeople’sꢀcontribution
•ꢀSupportꢀtheꢀcultureꢀofꢀteamwork,ꢀcooperationꢀꢀ andꢀsafety
•ꢀBeꢀcreativeꢀandꢀinnovative,ꢀand
•ꢀAskꢀourselves,ꢀ“WhatꢀisꢀbestꢀforꢀWollongong?” our Business PrinciPles
•ꢀCustomerꢀfocus
•ꢀPurpose,ꢀdirectionꢀandꢀplanning
•ꢀSystemsꢀandꢀprocess
•ꢀPeopleꢀengagement
•ꢀData,ꢀmanagementꢀandꢀknowledgeꢀ
ꢅ WOLLONGONG CITY COUNCIL SOCIAL PLAN 2007-11 The CharTer of The PeoPle of Wollongong
We the people of Wollongong are determined
• to ensure the right of all our community to enjoy equal rights and be treated with equal respect, regardless of colour, race, ethnicity. Creed or religion
• to support an immigration policy wholly non-discriminatory on grounds of colour, race, ethnicity, creed or religion
• to support the process of reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
People in the context of redressing their profound social and economic disadvantage
• to maintain Wollongong as a culturally diverse tolerant and open society, united by an overriding commitment to our nation and its democratic institutions and values
• to denounce racial intolerance in any form as incompatible with the kind of community we are and want to be. and to these ends We Will
• actively promote the benefits of a cohesive, multicultural society
• support the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation’s vision for a united Australia and local declarations of reconciliation with indigenous peoples
• promote access and equity in service provision for all members of the community
• address wherever possible the special needs of disadvantaged groups.
CounCillors and the City of Wollongong Commit to the above
Charter of the CounCil term of 2004-08
Alex Darling
Lord Mayor, City of Wollongong
WOLLONGONG CITY COUNCIL SOCIAL PLAN 2007-11 ꢆ ꢃoꢀꢂwoꢀꢁ
Statement of Reconciliation and commitment
Wollongong City Council recognises that the original occupants and inhabitants of this land have lived in the area for more than 60,000 years. A number of clans and tribes spoke several languages and these people exercised traditional rights over the area including the ownership of sacred and significant sites.
The original inhabitants and occupants of the land relied on the sea, lake and the escarpment to provide much of their food and sustenance for life. Numerous middens are still found in the area giving recognition to the gathering of the traditional owners and inhabitants of this area. The establishment of European settlement has proved disastrous for the indigenous people who suffered attacks from settlers, exposure to new diseases, loss of their land and disruption to their traditional way of life. Wollongong City Council’s Statement of Commitment is built on the legacy of the traditional owners and inhabitants of these lands and the continuing contribution of the Aboriginal people to the local area.
In making this Statement of Reconciliation and Commitment, Wollongong City Council wishes to acknowledge that it is built on the ideals set out in the Australian Declaration Towards Reconciliation, The Road Map for
Reconciliation and the Australian Local Government Association Statement of Commitment.
In making this commitment, Wollongong City Council acknowledges and gives recognition to the fact that this land and its waters were settled as colonies without and treaty or consent; that the Aboriginal people of the area are the first people and they have, as a result of the invasion, suffered deep loss and grief caused by the alienation from their traditional lands, the loss of lives, freedom and the forced removal of children. Council also acknowledges the rights of indigenous Australians to live according to their own beliefs and customs and gives due respect and recognition to the continuing customary laws, beliefs and traditions of the indigenous people of the area.
Wollongong City Council supports the people’s movement towards Reconciliation and seeks to give practical expression to this process through its actions. Council also supports working together in partnership with all sections of our community to ensure the principles of equity, access and human rights are provided for all members of the indigenous community through the provisions of culturally appropriate services and programs.
As a local government authority, Wollongong City Council commits itself to:
• ensuring local indigenous involvement in events and celebrations of significance which respect the dignity and protocols of the local Aboriginal community;
• the ongoing development of strategies to improve the level of participation of local Aboriginal people in local government decision making process;
• ensuring all Council staff, through the induction program, are exposed to relevant education and cultural awareness to assist in their knowledge, understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal cultural heritage and the needs of the Aboriginal community;
• ensuring that the Aboriginal employment strategy continues to be implemented, enhancing the prospects for
Aboriginal people to be employed within Wollongong City Council;
• annually celebrating Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week;
• flying the Aboriginal flag in front of the administration building;
• actively promoting the protection of Aboriginal heritage and culturally significant areas within the city.
Wollongong City Council acknowledges that the Aboriginal culture continues to strengthen and enrich our community and that the area is now occupied by people who are drawn from many different lands who share the values of tolerance and respect of one another. As a leader in the community, Council pledges itself to fight against injustice and to overcome disadvantage within its area of jurisdiction, in an effort to bring about a city which is recognised for its valuing of the community and its history, and in the provision of justice and equity for all.
Adopted by Wollongong City Council at its meeting held on 17 April 2001 and committed by Council for its term
2004-08.
Date: 27 April 2004 Councillor Alex Darling Rod Oxley
Lord Mayor General Manager
ꢇ WOLLONGONG CITY COUNCIL SOCIAL PLAN 2007-11 01 intꢀoꢁuction
The Wollongong City Council Demographic Profile provides statistical information on the population of the Wollongong Local Government Area (LGA).
Detailed demographic data demonstrating the social composition of the people living in Wollongong, and a measure of population changes over time is a legislative requirement for inclusion in the Wollongong City Council Social Plan
2007-11. The Demographic Profile is Volume 3 of the Wollongong City Council
Social Plan 2007-11.
WOLLONGONG CITY COUNCIL SOCIAL PLAN 2007-11 ꢈ 01 intꢀoꢁuction toꢀgainꢀanꢀunderstandingꢀofꢀtheꢀcommunity,ꢀorꢀtoꢀ undertakeꢀaꢀfeasibilityꢀstudyꢀforꢀpotentialꢀinvestmentꢀ inꢀtheꢀcommunity.
1.1 whAt is the PurPose of the demogrAPhic Profile?
Theꢀdemographicꢀprofileꢀprovidesꢀanꢀimportantꢀtoolꢀinꢀ theꢀplanningꢀof:ꢀ
1.2 dAtA sources
•ꢀLocalꢀcommunityꢀservices,ꢀsuchꢀasꢀagedꢀcare,ꢀ communityꢀhealthꢀandꢀyouthꢀcentres.
TheꢀinformationꢀinꢀthisꢀDemographicꢀProfileꢀisꢀlargelyꢀ derivedꢀfromꢀtheꢀ2001ꢀAustralianꢀBureauꢀofꢀStatisticsꢀ
CensusꢀofꢀPopulationꢀandꢀHousing.ꢀTheꢀCensusꢀ occursꢀeveryꢀfiveꢀyearsꢀandꢀprovidesꢀaꢀcomprehensiveꢀ socialꢀsnapshotꢀofꢀwhatꢀaꢀcommunityꢀmayꢀlookꢀlikeꢀatꢀ aꢀparticularꢀtime.ꢀCoupledꢀwithꢀtrendꢀdataꢀandꢀsocialꢀ indicatorsꢀitꢀisꢀanꢀeffectiveꢀtoolꢀinꢀtheꢀplanningꢀofꢀ manyꢀservicesꢀandꢀfacilities,ꢀbothꢀforꢀtheꢀpublicꢀandꢀ privateꢀsector.
•ꢀLocalꢀphysicalꢀinfrastructure,ꢀsuchꢀasꢀroads,ꢀ buildingsꢀandꢀsewerage.
•ꢀLocalꢀbusinessꢀandꢀindustrialꢀdevelopment.ꢀ
•ꢀLocalꢀenvironmentalꢀmanagement,ꢀsuchꢀasꢀwasteꢀ disposalꢀandꢀlocationꢀofꢀindustry.ꢀ
Demographicꢀandꢀsocio-economicꢀinformationꢀcanꢀ assistꢀLocalꢀGovernmentꢀandꢀotherꢀauthoritiesꢀinꢀ predictingꢀtheꢀdemandꢀforꢀservicesꢀandꢀfacilities.ꢀTheꢀ informationꢀcontainedꢀinꢀthisꢀProfileꢀcanꢀalsoꢀguideꢀ decisionꢀmaking,ꢀbyꢀensuringꢀthatꢀgovernmentsꢀandꢀ communityꢀorganisationsꢀhaveꢀconsideredꢀtheꢀsocialꢀ impactꢀofꢀdevelopmentꢀandꢀactivities.
Theꢀ2001ꢀCensus,ꢀhowever,ꢀdoesꢀnotꢀcoverꢀtopicsꢀsuchꢀ asꢀpopulationꢀprojectionsꢀatꢀaꢀLocalꢀGovernmentꢀAreaꢀ
(LGA)ꢀlevelꢀandꢀmoreꢀin-depthꢀinformationꢀonꢀpopulationꢀ groupsꢀsuchꢀasꢀpeopleꢀwithꢀdisabilitiesꢀandꢀpeopleꢀwithꢀ culturallyꢀandꢀlinguisticallyꢀdiverseꢀbackgrounds.ꢀForꢀ thisꢀreason,ꢀadditionalꢀinformationꢀfromꢀsourcesꢀsuchꢀ asꢀtheꢀNSWꢀDepartmentꢀofꢀPlanning,ꢀtheꢀDepartmentꢀofꢀ
Ageing,ꢀDisabilityꢀandꢀHomeꢀCare,ꢀandꢀtheꢀDepartmentꢀ ofꢀImmigration,ꢀMulticulturalꢀandꢀIndigenousꢀAffairsꢀhaveꢀ beenꢀincluded.ꢀ
Theꢀdataꢀcontainedꢀinꢀthisꢀdemographicꢀprofileꢀ canꢀalsoꢀbeꢀusedꢀbyꢀcommunities,ꢀorganisations,ꢀ developers,ꢀandꢀprospectiveꢀbusinessꢀinvestorsꢀ
ꢀ0 WOLLONGONG CITY COUNCIL SOCIAL PLAN 2007-11 1.3 how to reAd the wollongong city council demogrAPhic Profile
TheꢀWollongongꢀCityꢀCouncilꢀDemographicꢀProfileꢀaimsꢀ toꢀprovideꢀaꢀstatisticalꢀoverviewꢀofꢀtheꢀpopulationꢀofꢀ
Wollongong.ꢀTheꢀinformationꢀpresentedꢀfocusesꢀonꢀaꢀ numberꢀofꢀkeyꢀdemographicꢀcharacteristicsꢀincluding:ꢀ
“The WOLLONGONG CITY
COUNCIL demOGrAPhIC
PrOfILe AImS TO PrOvIde
A STATISTICAL OvervIeW
Of The POPULATION Of WOLLONGONG”
•ꢀPopulationꢀsizeꢀandꢀgrowth
•ꢀAgeꢀprofile
•ꢀPopulationꢀprojections
•ꢀCountryꢀofꢀbirth
1.4 uPdAting the informAtion
•ꢀLanguageꢀspokenꢀatꢀhome
•ꢀReligiousꢀaffiliation
TheꢀAustralianꢀBureauꢀofꢀStatisticsꢀhasꢀrecentlyꢀ conductedꢀtheꢀ2006ꢀCensusꢀofꢀPopulationꢀandꢀ
Housing.ꢀTheꢀDemographicꢀProfileꢀwillꢀbeꢀupdatedꢀ coincidingꢀwithꢀtheꢀreleaseꢀofꢀthisꢀinformation.
•ꢀAboriginalꢀandꢀTorresꢀStraitꢀIslanderꢀpopulation
•ꢀPeopleꢀwithꢀaꢀdisability
•ꢀMaritalꢀstatus
1.5 glossAry of terms And Acronyms
•ꢀFamilyꢀstructure
ABSꢀ AustralianꢀBureauꢀofꢀStatisticsꢀ
•ꢀOccupationꢀandꢀindustryꢀofꢀemployment.
CALDꢀꢀ CulturallyꢀandꢀLinguisticallyꢀꢀ
ꢀDiverseꢀBackgrounds
SocialꢀIndicatorsꢀareꢀconsideredꢀvaluableꢀinꢀgainingꢀ aꢀdeeperꢀinsightꢀintoꢀtheꢀsocialꢀcompositionꢀofꢀ theꢀWollongongꢀcommunity.ꢀInꢀadditionꢀtoꢀtheꢀ demographicꢀinformation,ꢀsocialꢀindicatorꢀdataꢀhasꢀ beenꢀprovidedꢀinꢀtheꢀfollowingꢀareas:
DADHCꢀ DepartmentꢀofꢀAging,ꢀDisabilityꢀꢀ
ꢀandꢀHomeꢀCare
ILLAWARRAꢀ RefersꢀtoꢀtheꢀIllawarraꢀRegionꢀꢀ •ꢀEmployment
ꢀwhichꢀencompassesꢀtheꢀlocalꢀꢀ
ꢀgovernmentꢀareasꢀofꢀWollongong,ꢀ
ꢀShellharbour,ꢀKiama,ꢀꢀ
•ꢀHomeꢀownershipꢀandꢀhousingꢀaffordability
•ꢀIncomeꢀdistribution
ꢀWingecarribeeꢀandꢀShoalhaven.
•ꢀCarꢀownershipꢀandꢀtransportation
•ꢀAccessꢀtoꢀinformationꢀtechnology
•ꢀEducationalꢀattainmentꢀandꢀqualifications.
LGAꢀꢀ LocalꢀGovernmentꢀArea
NSWꢀ NewꢀSouthꢀWales
DoPꢀ NSWꢀDepartmentꢀofꢀPlanning
Presentationꢀofꢀtheꢀinformationꢀisꢀlargelyꢀnumericalꢀ withꢀtables,ꢀgraphsꢀandꢀaꢀbriefꢀanalysis.ꢀStatisticsꢀfromꢀ theꢀIllawarraꢀandꢀNSWꢀareꢀoftenꢀprovidedꢀinꢀtheꢀprofileꢀ toꢀassistꢀinꢀpresentingꢀaꢀbiggerꢀpictureꢀviewꢀofꢀhowꢀ
Wollongongꢀcomparesꢀwithꢀtheꢀregionꢀandꢀtheꢀstate.ꢀ
WCCꢀ WollongongꢀCityꢀCouncil
WOLLONGONGꢀ
RefersꢀtoꢀtheꢀWollongongꢀLocalꢀꢀ
ꢀGovernmentꢀArea
InꢀadditionꢀtoꢀthisꢀProfile,ꢀWollongongꢀCityꢀCouncilꢀhasꢀ alsoꢀdevelopedꢀsuburbꢀbasedꢀdemographicꢀprofilesꢀandꢀ demographicꢀprofileꢀmaps,ꢀwhichꢀplotꢀtheꢀdemographicꢀ characteristicsꢀofꢀtheꢀLGAꢀandꢀlocalꢀservicesꢀandꢀ facilities.ꢀThisꢀinformationꢀcanꢀbeꢀobtainedꢀbyꢀcontactingꢀ
Council’sꢀSocialꢀPlanningꢀTeam.
WOLLONGONG CITY COUNCIL SOCIAL PLAN 2007-11 ꢀꢀ 02 cꢆaꢀactꢂꢀ statꢂꢇꢂnt
Wollongong is Australia’s ninth largest city with an estimated population of 192,402. Located 80 kilometres south of Sydney, Wollongong covers 714 square kilometres and occupies a narrow coastal strip bordered by the Royal
National Park to the north, Lake Illawarra to the south, the Tasman Sea to the east and the Illawarra escarpment to the west.
ꢀꢁ WOLLONGONG CITY COUNCIL SOCIAL PLAN 2007-11 TheꢀprimaryꢀcityꢀofꢀtheꢀIllawarraꢀregion,ꢀWollongongꢀ enjoysꢀaꢀmagnificentꢀnaturalꢀenvironmentꢀrangingꢀ fromꢀrainforestsꢀtoꢀspectacularꢀseaꢀcliffsꢀandꢀpristineꢀ beaches.ꢀKnownꢀinꢀpastꢀdecadesꢀforꢀitsꢀheavyꢀ manufacturingꢀbase,ꢀtheꢀCity’sꢀkeyꢀindustryꢀsectorsꢀ nowꢀincludeꢀretail,ꢀtourism,ꢀhealth,ꢀproperty,ꢀbusinessꢀ servicesꢀandꢀeducation.
“LIke mUCh Of AUSTrALIA,
WOLLONGONG hAS AN AGeING POPULATION
WhICh IS eꢈPeCTed TO
LeAd TO INCreASed ANd ChANGING NeedS fOr hOUSING, COmmUNITY
ServICeS ANd fACILITIeS”
TheꢀnameꢀWollongongꢀoriginatedꢀfromꢀtheꢀAboriginalꢀ wordꢀ‘woolyungah’ꢀmeaningꢀfiveꢀislands.ꢀItꢀisꢀestimatedꢀ thatꢀAboriginalꢀpeopleꢀhaveꢀlivedꢀinꢀtheꢀregionꢀforꢀmoreꢀ thanꢀ60,000ꢀyearsꢀandꢀaꢀnumberꢀofꢀclansꢀandꢀtribesꢀ spokeꢀseveralꢀlanguagesꢀ(WCC,ꢀ2001).ꢀ
TodayꢀWollongongꢀisꢀcharacterisedꢀbyꢀtheꢀdiverseꢀ culturalꢀbackgroundsꢀofꢀitsꢀpeople.ꢀMoreꢀthanꢀ70ꢀ differentꢀlanguagesꢀareꢀspokenꢀatꢀhome.ꢀLikeꢀmuchꢀofꢀ
Australia,ꢀWollongongꢀhasꢀanꢀageingꢀpopulationꢀwhichꢀ isꢀexpectedꢀtoꢀleadꢀtoꢀincreasedꢀandꢀchangingꢀneedsꢀ forꢀhousing,ꢀcommunityꢀservicesꢀandꢀfacilities.
TheꢀCity’sꢀnaturalꢀenvironmentꢀisꢀoneꢀofꢀitsꢀmostꢀ importantꢀassetsꢀandꢀprotectionꢀofꢀenvironmentalꢀ qualityꢀisꢀaꢀkeyꢀpriority.ꢀ
Populationꢀgrowthꢀandꢀtheꢀsteadyꢀreductionꢀinꢀ theꢀaverageꢀsizeꢀofꢀhouseholds,ꢀcoupledꢀwithꢀtheꢀ attractivenessꢀofꢀWollongong’sꢀcoastalꢀandꢀescarpmentꢀ environmentsꢀisꢀcreatingꢀaꢀstrongꢀdemandꢀforꢀnewꢀ housingꢀ–ꢀwhetherꢀsuburbanꢀdetachedꢀhouses,ꢀcoastalꢀ andꢀbushꢀretreats,ꢀcityꢀtownꢀhousesꢀorꢀhigh-riseꢀ apartments.ꢀPressuresꢀforꢀredevelopmentꢀinꢀmanyꢀ establishedꢀsuburbsꢀareꢀintensifyingꢀandꢀthereꢀisꢀalsoꢀ aꢀneedꢀtoꢀplanꢀforꢀmajorꢀurbanꢀexpansionꢀandꢀinfillꢀ developmentꢀelsewhere.ꢀ