Mapping Socio-regions in Outback Australia
Mapping Socio-regions in Outback Australia Report
DKCRC Research Report
- Author(s): Maru, YT, Chewings, VH, Jones, M, Breen, J
- Published: 2006
- Publisher: Desert Knowledge CRC
- Volume: 20
Abstract: Outback settlements are markedly different from their coastal counterparts in terms of their sociocultural, economic, demographic and environmental characteristics. Differences are also strong between outback settlements, although they share some basic characteristics. The population size distribution of outback settlements is markedly clumped. There are a small number of major service centres (population 20,000 to 30,000) as well as a much larger number of settlements that are two orders of magnitude smaller (i.e. population <200–500) and which have very different socioeconomic characteristics. Standard regionalisation procedures mask this pattern and its significance for analysis. Standard procedures also take state/territory borders as hard boundaries, disguising the significance of cross border similarities and relationships. These differences have been a major challenge to regional policy making, research and investment decisions. In this study, we have classified and mapped settlements into socio-regions. The study has considered a UCL (Urban Centre or Locality – a settlement with 200 or more people) as a basic unit for analysis. There are 222 UCLs in the rangelands excluding Darwin. A preliminary hinterland boundary or socio-region was created for each UCL as spatial mapping units. This process was primarily based on similarities and differences of key demographic and socio-economic indicators. Indicators of ecological characteristics were also considered in mapping the socio-regions.