sustainable penrith indicators

Sustainability Indicators
 

Principle 2:

Achieve long-term economic and social security

Objective:

We plan responsibly for now and the future

Indicator PC5:

Local residents work locally


2006/2007 Data

Why use this indicator?

The information for 06/07 is not available but will be assessed once the JTW data from the 2006 Census becomes available. The following background information has been provided.

Excessive car usage has significant environmental implications including increased greenhouse gas emissions, poor air quality and use of non-renewable resources.

Individuals should be aware of the impact they are having on the environment and be able to make sustainable choices. To this effect, residents require options to be available to enable them to make sustainable choices.

Providing opportunities for residents to work locally is a vital strategy to minimise environmental impacts. It also presents social benefits as the diminished time commuting increases time for family and community activities. With rising costs to run and maintain a car, there are also significant financial benefits for residents working locally.

This indicator will show changes to the locality of employment and travel patterns of employed Penrith residents, and the workforce of Penrith over time, with the view that travel time is reduced, and travel modes shift towards more sustainable methods.

What is the current situation?

The 2006 Census indicates that of the 83,465 residents in the workforce, 30,793 residents (62.7%) live and work in Penrith and 52,327 residents (37.3%) travel outside the LGA to attend work.

Since 2001 there has been an increase in the number of jobs available in the local area. The proportion of local residents working locally has risen from 60.9% to 62.7%.

Gap in Workforce and Jobs, Penrith, 2001- 2006
Industry
  2001     2006  
  Workforce Jobs Gap Workforce Jobs Gap
Agriculture, forestry & fishing
739
666
73
583
487
96
Mining
158
155
3
199
175
24
Manufacturing
12083
7301
4782
10987
6493
4494
Electricity, gas, water & waste services
1018
354
664
1126
807
319
Construction
7107
3268
3839
7865
3490
4375
Retail trade
9606
9575
31
10172
7782
2390
Accommodation & food services
4433
2388
2045
4622
3825
797
Transport, postal & warehousing
5089
1524
3565
5952
2263
3689
Information media & telecommunications
1781
642
1139
1344
453
891
Financial & insurance services
4062
908
3154
3749
914
2835
Rental, hiring & real estate services
1404
831
573
1303
907
396
Professional, scientific & technical services
3623
2914
709
3483
1956
1527
Administrative & support services (including public administration and safety)
7508
2662
4846
8270
5265
3005
Education & training
4411
4880
-469
5114
5577
-463
Health care & social assistance
6288
5794
494
7439
6752
687
Arts & recreation services
1059
905
154
951
676
275
Other services
3713
2110
1603
3455
2207
1248
Inadequately described/Not stated
1845
438
1407
2211
493
1718
Total
81,324
49,513
31,811
83,465
52,330
31,135
Source: 2006 ABS Census

Council continues to promote Penrith LGA as a competitive choice for business location and expansion. Council's Strategic Plan and Economic Programs have made an increase in local jobs a major priority. This is reinforced by planning policies which require new residential development to be balanced by at least equivalent job opportunities.

What is the desired trend?

The desired trend for this indicator is for the number of local residents who work within approx 45 minutes to increase, whilst the use of a car as the method of travel to work to fall.

What does this mean for the Sustainability of Penrith City?

How an individual travels to work depends on factors such as where they live and where they work, the travel options available to them and the reliability, convenience and cost of those travel options. If employed residents travel shorter distances to work, and/or travel by sustainable methods, then the ecological footprint is reduced.


2007 - 2008 Response - On Track


 

 

Status Legend

 

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