Industry-Relevant Smart Community Partnerships

Abstract

Logan City (population of 400,000) is Queensland’s third largest city and one of the fastest growing in Australia. The population is expected to grow to almost 500,000 by 2011 (Logan City Council, 2001). Other characteristics of the region include its relatively young population profile, and the higher than average proportions of persons from low socio-economic and non-English speaking backgrounds who live in some areas of the region. Further, unemployment rates tend to be high in parts of the region and higher education participation rates are low. Economic activity tends to be based in small and medium business and light industry. The employment profile of the region has a lower proportion of professionals, managers and administrators than the rest of Queensland. Overall, the regional profile has a higher proportion of tradespersons, clerks, plant and machinery operators, and sales and personal services workers than state averages.