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Far North Queensland in Australia

Far North Queensland is made up of Cairns (R), Townsville (C), Cassowary Coast (R), Tablelands (R), Douglas (S), Hinchinbrook (S), Charters Towers (R), Mareeba (S), and Burdekin (S).

Living in Far North Queensland in May 2025

Far North Queensland Overall Liveability Index
Created with Highcharts 11.4.852.9
Australia
59.5
Adelaide
62.9
Central NSW
59.0
Central QLD
57.2
Central VIC
60.8
Darwin
52.6
Eastern VIC
58.0
Hobart
58.1
Melbourne
60.6
Northern NSW
55.7
Perth
62.9
Regional NT
50.6
Regional SA
59.4
Regional Tas
58.8
Regional WA
61.0
Rest of QLD
66.5
South East Queensland
59.2
Southern NSW
59.1
Sydney
64.1
The ACT
64.2
Western VIC
60.9
Collected May 2025

Use the values and experiences matrix to understand the relationship between what your residents believe makes somewhere a good place to live and how they experience their local area in that regard. The matrix highlights the attributes that your community believe needs to maintained and improved to advance overall liveability.

Created with Highcharts 11.4.8MedianimportanceAverageexperiencelesser importancegreater importanceworse experiencesbetter experiences0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%012345678910
Affordable decent housing
Good job prospects
Education
Health services
Public transport
A lack of road congestion
Making your way
Social cohesion
Opportunity for all
Sense of community
Natural environment
Cultural facilities
Sports and recreation
Feeling safe
A prosperous economy
Shopping, leisure & dining

Greater Importance & Worse Experiences    Greater Importance & Better Experiences    Less important attributes

Far North Queensland Overall Liveability Index

Created with Highcharts 11.4.852.9

Far North Queensland Overall Liveability Index 52.9

Australia Overall Liveability Index

Created with Highcharts 11.4.859.5

Australia Overall Liveability Index 59.5

Far North Queensland
Australia
Importance
Experience
Feeling safe
Importance
Experience
75%
4.4
65%
6.2
Affordable decent housing
Importance
Experience
56%
4.3
56%
4.5
Natural environment
Importance
Experience
53%
7.7
50%
7.6
Health services
Importance
Experience
50%
5.8
48%
6.1
Good job prospects
Importance
Experience
41%
5.1
29%
5.4
Shopping, leisure & dining
Importance
Experience
30%
4.9
26%
6.1
Sense of community
Importance
Experience
27%
5.7
29%
6.2
Public transport
Importance
Experience
25%
2.9
40%
5.2
Social cohesion
Importance
Experience
23%
5.4
26%
6.3
Making your way
Importance
Experience
22%
5.9
30%
6.0
Cultural facilities
Importance
Experience
21%
5.2
15%
5.8
Opportunity for all
Importance
Experience
20%
5.4
19%
5.9
A prosperous economy
Importance
Experience
19%
4.9
16%
5.6
A lack of road congestion
Importance
Experience
19%
5.7
21%
5.3
Education
Importance
Experience
13%
6.3
20%
6.3
Sports and recreation
Importance
Experience
7%
6.4
9%
6.9
The arrows indicate whether a difference is statistically significant. Significance testing helps determine if a difference between two groups is likely real (shown by an arrow) or due to random chance (no arrow).
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Health and Wellbeing in Far North Queensland in May 2025

Physical Health
How would you rate your physical health?
Do you think your physical health will get better, worse or stay the same over the next year?
Far North Queensland 2025 (n = 220)
6.4
Very poor
Excellent
Australia (n = 4907)
6.7
Very poor
Excellent
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
Far North Queensland 2025 (n = 220)
17%
56%
27%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Australia (n = 4907)
15%
56%
30%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
Mental Health
How would you rate your mental health?
Do you think your mental health will get better, worse or stay the same over the next year?
Far North Queensland 2025 (n = 220)
7.0
Very poor
Excellent
Australia (n = 4907)
6.9
Very poor
Excellent
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
Far North Queensland 2025 (n = 220)
11%
67%
23%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Australia (n = 4907)
12%
64%
24%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
Social wellbeing
How would you rate your social wellbeing?
Do you think your social wellbeing will get better, worse or stay the same over the next year?
Far North Queensland 2025 (n = 220)
6.5
Very poor
Excellent
Australia (n = 4907)
6.5
Very poor
Excellent
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
Far North Queensland 2025 (n = 220)
13%
67%
20%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Australia (n = 4907)
11%
67%
22%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Financial circumstances in Far North Queensland in May 2025

How would you rate your personal financial circumstances?
Do you think your personal financial circumstance will get worse, stay the same or get better over the next year?
Far North Queensland 2025 (n = 220)
5.9
Very poor
Excellent
Australia (n = 4907)
5.7
Very poor
Excellent
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
Far North Queensland 2025 (n = 220)
36%
43%
21%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Australia (n = 4907)
27%
47%
26%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
How often, if ever, are you late meeting your financial commitments?
Do you think the economic situation in your local area will get worse, stay the same or get better over the next year?
Far North Queensland 2025 (n = 209)
Australia (n = 4683)
Always late
2%
2%
Often late
5%
6%
Sometimes late
24%
30%
Never late
68%
63%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
Far North Queensland 2025 (n = 220)
50%
39%
10%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Australia (n = 4907)
42%
48%
11%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Impacts of climate change in Far North Queensland in May 2025

Which of the following best describes your personal views on climate change?
Far North Queensland 2025 (n = 220)
Australia (n = 4907)
It's happening - caused entirely or mostly by human activities
30%
43%
It's happening - caused equally by human activities and natural causes
36%
32%
It's happening - caused entirely or mostly by natural causes
13%
9%
It's happening - not sure what is causing it
7%
6%
I do not believe climate change is happening
14%
11%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Among those that believe in climate change, 53% indicated that their local area is currently feeling the effects of climate change and a further 26% expected their local area to feel the effects within their lifetime. Of those, 3% were very confident that their local area would be able to adapt to the effects of climate change and a further 30% somewhat confident. 64% were not confident.

Please select the extent to which climate change is impacting or will impact your local area in your lifetime?
How confident are you that your local area will be able to adapt to the effects of climate change in your lifetime?
Far North Queensland 2025 (n = 185)
Australia (n = 4304)
My local area is feeling the effects of climate change
53%
49%
My local area is not feeling the effects of climate change, but expect it will in my lifetime
26%
36%
My local area is not feeling the effects of climate change, and do not expect it will in my lifetime
21%
15%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
Far North Queensland 2025 (n = 143)
Australia (n = 3585)
Very confident
3%
5%
Somewhat confident
30%
35%
Not very confident
38%
39%
Not at all confident
26%
15%
Don't know
3%
6%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Among the group of residents that felt their local area is currently feeling, or will feel, the effects of climate change in their lifetime, the top local area climate-related events were: Flooding (89%), Extreme heat (85%) and Cyclones (83%). The top actions residents felt should be taken to address the effects of climate change in their local area were: Protect and enhance local biodiversity (59%), Provide options for recycling waste (56%) and Educate residents on how to live more sustainably (53%).

How is your local area currently, or how do you expect it will, feel the effects of climate change in your lifetime?
What do you feel are the best ways to address the effects of climate change in your local area?
Far North Queensland 2025 (n = 141)
Australia (n = 3490)
Flooding
89%
48%
Extreme heat
85%
74%
Cyclones
83%
24%
Storms
50%
53%
Sea level rise
42%
24%
Droughts
38%
42%
Severe wind
29%
44%
Bushfires
27%
50%
Earthquakes
23%
5%
Landslide
21%
7%
Extremely cold temperatures
4%
16%
Other
2%
5%
None of these
0%
1%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
Far North Queensland 2025 (n = 143)
Australia (n = 3585)
Protect and enhance local biodiversity
59%
60%
Provide options for recycling waste
56%
47%
Educate residents on how to live more sustainably
53%
53%
Reduce pollution of the environment
50%
51%
More sustainable building and development practices
46%
44%
Adopt renewable energy sources
46%
48%
Conserve natural resources
45%
48%
Host renewable energy projects in the local area
42%
36%
More sustainable transport options
38%
41%
Create renewable energy sources
38%
38%
Encourage residents to buy locally
31%
30%
Reduce carbon emissions in the local area
30%
35%
Other
7%
6%
None of these
3%
2%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Impacts of climate change on residents

Among those that believe in climate change, 43% indicated that they themselves are currently feeling the effects of climate change and a further 34% expected to within their lifetime. Of those, 4% were very confident that they would be able to adapt to the effects of climate change and a further 45% somewhat confident. 50% were not confident.

Please select the extent to which climate change is impacting or will impact you personally in your lifetime?
How confident are you that you personally will be able to adapt to the effects of climate change in your lifetime?
Far North Queensland 2025 (n = 185)
Australia (n = 4304)
I am feeling the effects of climate change
43%
47%
I am not feeling the effects of climate change, but expect to in my lifetime
34%
37%
I am not feeling the effects of climate change, and do not expect to in my lifetime
23%
16%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
Far North Queensland 2025 (n = 136)
Australia (n = 3506)
Very confident
4%
8%
Somewhat confident
45%
52%
Not very confident
44%
30%
Not at all confident
6%
6%
Don't know
1%
4%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Among the group of residents that felt they are currently feeling, or will feel, the effects of climate change in their lifetime, the top personal impacts were: Increased household running costs (83%), Food production, making it harder and more expensive to get food items (68%) and My ability to leave my home due to weather (58%). 51% feel climate change will reduce their quality of life somewhat, and a further 26% feel it will reduce their quality of life a lot.

How are you currently, or how do you expect to, personally feel the effects of climate change in your lifetime?
Which of the following best represents how you believe the effects of climate change will affect your quality of life?
Far North Queensland 2025 (n = 136)
Australia (n = 3506)
Increased household running costs
83%
77%
Food production, making it harder and more expensive to get food items
68%
61%
My ability to leave my home due to weather
58%
46%
Essential infrastructure vulnerability
56%
40%
Challenges getting around
54%
36%
Loss or damage to your home/property
50%
29%
Transport infrastructure vulnerability
45%
29%
My ability to access nature due to weather
44%
32%
Challenges accessing essential services
37%
28%
Reduced personal safety or health to myself and/or those around me
33%
26%
Reduced value to your home/property
27%
15%
Reduction in air quality
24%
36%
None of these
0%
2%
Other
3%
3%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
Far North Queensland 2025 (n = 136)
Australia (n = 3506)
It will improve a lot
1%
2%
It will improve somewhat
7%
7%
It will not change
10%
14%
It will reduce somewhat
51%
49%
It will reduce a lot
26%
22%
Don't know
6%
6%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Concerns in Far North Queensland in May 2025

What are the top three issues facing your local area?
Far North Queensland 2025 (n = 220)
Australia (n = 4907)
Law & order
60%
36%
Inflation/Cost of Living
51%
54%
Housing/Price of Housing
46%
50%
Healthcare/Hospitals
23%
20%
Transport
20%
20%
Drug/Alcohol Abuse
13%
15%
The Economy
13%
12%
Poverty/Inequality
13%
11%
Race Relations/Racism
12%
5%
Petrol Prices/Fuel
9%
12%
Issues Facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
8%
4%
Unemployment
8%
9%
Household Debt/Personal Debt
7%
13%
Environmental Concerns
6%
10%
Population/Overpopulation
3%
13%
Immigration
3%
7%
Taxation
3%
6%
Defence
2%
1%
Education
1%
3%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Residential Development and Local Area Decision-Making in Far North Queensland in May 2025

What concerns do you have with residential development (building more homes to accommodate more people) in your local area?
Far North Queensland 2025 (n = 220)
Australia (n = 4907)
Rising housing costs
43%
35%
Lack of affordable housing
41%
38%
Strain on infrastructure and public services
39%
42%
Increased traffic and congestion
35%
46%
Environmental impact
26%
20%
Changes to neighbourhood character
23%
21%
Loss of green space or natural areas
22%
28%
Overcrowding
8%
18%
Noise or disruption during construction
3%
10%
Other
4%
5%
None/not applicable to my area
7%
5%
Don't know
2%
1%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
What other concerns do you have with residential development in your local area?

What do you see as the potential benefits of residential development (building more homes to accommodate more people) in your local area?
Far North Queensland 2025 (n = 220)
Australia (n = 4906)
Increased housing availability
49%
49%
Support for local businesses and services
48%
42%
More affordable housing options
38%
37%
Attraction of new residents and economic growth
29%
23%
Improved infrastructure and amenities (e.g. roads, parks)
25%
18%
Revitalisation of underused or vacant areas
19%
20%
Enhanced public transport options
14%
13%
Opportunity for more sustainable, energy-efficient housing
8%
15%
Greater diversity in housing types
8%
10%
Other
1%
4%
None/not applicable to my area
12%
13%
Don’t know
4%
3%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
What do you see as the other potential benefits of residential development in your local area?

To what extent do you feel your community’s views are considered in local area decision-making?
Far North Queensland 2025 (n = 220)
Australia (n = 4907)
Very well considered
1%
4%
Somewhat well considered
17%
27%
Not well considered
40%
34%
Not considered at all
33%
27%
Don't know
9%
9%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower