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The Community Views team surveyed 191 residents from Urban South in October 2025.

Urban South in Rockhampton Regional Council

Urban South is made up of West Rockhampton, Allenstown, Rockhampton City, The Range, Wandal, and Depot Hill.

Living in Urban South in October 2025

Urban South Overall Liveability Index
Rockhampton Regional Council
56.4
Rural
56.1
Urban North East
55.8
Urban North West
56.4
Collected October 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.

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

Urban South Overall Liveability Index

Urban South Overall Liveability Index 57.9

Rockhampton Regional Council Overall Liveability Index

Rockhampton Regional Council Overall Liveability Index 56.4

Urban South
Rockhampton Regional Council
Importance
Experience
Feeling safe
Importance
Experience
76%
5.0
76%
4.8
Health services
Importance
Experience
53%
6.1
52%
5.4
Affordable decent housing
Importance
Experience
51%
4.8
53%
4.7
Natural environment
Importance
Experience
43%
7.2
48%
7.1
Making your way
Importance
Experience
33%
6.3
29%
6.2
Good job prospects
Importance
Experience
29%
5.9
28%
5.6
Sense of community
Importance
Experience
28%
5.8
34%
5.7
Shopping, leisure & dining
Importance
Experience
27%
5.6
29%
5.7
A lack of road congestion
Importance
Experience
24%
5.5
25%
5.7
Education
Importance
Experience
22%
7.0
23%
6.5
Social cohesion
Importance
Experience
21%
5.7
20%
5.9
A prosperous economy
Importance
Experience
20%
5.4
17%
5.4
Opportunity for all
Importance
Experience
20%
5.9
20%
6.0
Public transport
Importance
Experience
19%
4.9
17%
4.8
Cultural facilities
Importance
Experience
17%
6.7
17%
6.2
Sports and recreation
Importance
Experience
15%
6.9
13%
6.8
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 Urban South in October 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?
Urban South 2025 (n = 191)
6.5
Very poor
Excellent
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 811)
6.6
Very poor
Excellent
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
Urban South 2025 (n = 191)
17%
55%
28%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 811)
15%
55%
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?
Urban South 2025 (n = 191)
6.8
Very poor
Excellent
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 811)
6.7
Very poor
Excellent
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
Urban South 2025 (n = 191)
13%
59%
27%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 811)
11%
63%
26%
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?
Urban South 2025 (n = 191)
6.6
Very poor
Excellent
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 811)
6.5
Very poor
Excellent
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
Urban South 2025 (n = 191)
13%
70%
17%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 811)
10%
70%
20%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Financial circumstances in Urban South in October 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?
Urban South 2025 (n = 191)
6.1
Very poor
Excellent
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 811)
5.9
Very poor
Excellent
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
Urban South 2025 (n = 191)
25%
50%
25%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 811)
23%
50%
27%
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?
Urban South 2025 (n = 181)
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 772)
Always late
1%
1%
Often late
5%
6%
Sometimes late
31%
32%
Never late
63%
61%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
Urban South 2025 (n = 191)
45%
46%
9%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 811)
47%
43%
10%
Get worse
Stay the same
Get better
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Impacts of climate change in Urban South in October 2025

Which of the following best describes your personal views on climate change?
Urban South 2025 (n = 191)
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 811)
Climate change is happening and is caused entirely or mostly by human activities
33%
28%
Climate change is happening and is caused equally by human activities and natural causes
30%
32%
Climate change is happening and is caused entirely or mostly by natural causes
11%
13%
Climate change is happening, but I am not sure what is causing it
8%
8%
I do not believe climate change is happening
18%
19%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Among those that believe in climate change, 47% indicated that their local area is currently feeling the effects of climate change and a further 35% expected their local area to feel the effects within their lifetime. Of those, 4% were very confident that their local area would be able to adapt to the effects of climate change and a further 45% somewhat confident. 49% were not confident.

Please select the extent to which climate change is impacting or will impact your local area in your lifetime?
Urban South 2025 (n = 156)
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 656)
My local area is feeling the effects of climate change
47%
43%
My local area is not feeling the effects of climate change, but expect it will in my lifetime
35%
36%
My local area is not feeling the effects of climate change, and do not expect it will in my lifetime
18%
20%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
How confident are you that your local area will be able to adapt to the effects of climate change in your lifetime?
Urban South 2025 (n = 127)
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 513)
Very confident
4%
3%
Somewhat confident
45%
45%
Not very confident
35%
33%
Not at all confident
13%
13%
Don't know
2%
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: Extreme heat (90%), Bushfires (64%) and Flooding (56%). The top actions residents felt should be taken to address the effects of climate change in their local area were: Educate residents on how to live more sustainably (63%), Protect and enhance local biodiversity (plants and animals) (57%) and Reduce pollution of the environment (57%).

How is your local area currently, or how do you expect it will, feel the effects of climate change in your lifetime?
Urban South 2025 (n = 127)
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 513)
Extreme heat
90%
87%
Bushfires
64%
68%
Flooding
56%
54%
Droughts
56%
53%
Cyclones
51%
48%
Storms
50%
49%
Severe wind
23%
21%
Sea level rise
16%
13%
Extremely cold temperatures
9%
10%
Earthquakes
6%
5%
Landslide
4%
3%
Other
2%
4%
None of these
2%
3%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
What do you feel are the best ways to address the effects of climate change in your local area?
Urban South 2025 (n = 127)
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 513)
Educate residents on how to live more sustainably
63%
59%
Protect and enhance local biodiversity (plants and animals)
57%
61%
Reduce pollution of the environment
57%
51%
Provide options for recycling waste (e.g. household waste, food waste, e-waste, etc.).
52%
48%
Conserve natural resources (e.g. air, water, soil, etc.)
49%
49%
Through more sustainable building and development practices
47%
41%
Reduce carbon emissions in the local area
43%
37%
The use of more sustainable transport options
43%
35%
Adopt renewable energy sources
43%
40%
Host renewable energy projects in the local area (e.g. solar, wind, hydro, etc.)
43%
34%
Create renewable energy sources
40%
34%
Encourage residents to buy locally
34%
35%
None of these
2%
3%
Other
1%
4%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Impacts of climate change on residents

Among those that believe in climate change, 39% indicated that they themselves are currently feeling the effects of climate change and a further 40% expected to within their lifetime. Of those, 6% were very confident that they would be able to adapt to the effects of climate change and a further 60% somewhat confident. 33% were not confident.

Please select the extent to which climate change is impacting or will impact you personally in your lifetime?
Urban South 2025 (n = 156)
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 656)
I am feeling the effects of climate change
39%
37%
I am not feeling the effects of climate change, but expect to in my lifetime
40%
43%
I am not feeling the effects of climate change, and do not expect to in my lifetime
21%
20%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
How confident are you that you personally will be able to adapt to the effects of climate change in your lifetime?
Urban South 2025 (n = 123)
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 511)
Very confident
6%
8%
Somewhat confident
60%
60%
Not very confident
21%
22%
Not at all confident
12%
7%
Don't know
0%
3%
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 (e.g. energy, water, insurance, etc) (84%), Food production, making it harder and more expensive to get food items (59%) and My ability to leave my home due to weather (e.g. extreme heat, cold, rain, storms, wind, etc.) (43%). 46% feel climate change will reduce their quality of life somewhat, and a further 23% 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?
Urban South 2025 (n = 123)
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 511)
Increased household running costs (e.g. energy, water, insurance, etc)
84%
85%
Food production, making it harder and more expensive to get food items
59%
61%
My ability to leave my home due to weather (e.g. extreme heat, cold, rain, storms, wind, etc.)
43%
38%
Essential infrastructure vulnerability (e.g. water, electricity, gas, sanitation)
40%
38%
Challenges getting around (e.g. damage to roads, public transport)
36%
32%
Reduced personal safety or health to myself and/or those around me
34%
28%
My ability to access nature due to weather (e.g. erosion of parks, coastal areas, etc.)
28%
26%
Transport infrastructure vulnerability (e.g. roads, rail, public transport services)
28%
20%
Loss or damage to your home/property
28%
28%
Reduction in air quality
27%
27%
Challenges accessing essential services (e.g. emergency and health services)
26%
32%
Reduced value to your home/property
15%
13%
Other
1%
2%
None of these
1%
2%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower
Which of the following best represents how you believe the effects of climate change will affect your quality of life?
Urban South 2025 (n = 123)
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 511)
It will improve a lot
1%
1%
It will improve somewhat
8%
9%
It will not change
15%
18%
It will reduce somewhat
46%
45%
It will reduce a lot
23%
20%
Don't know
7%
7%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Concerns in Urban South in October 2025

What are the top three issues facing your local area?
Urban South 2025 (n = 191)
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 811)
Law & order
55%
59%
Inflation/Cost of Living
48%
52%
Housing/Price of Housing
45%
44%
Drug/Alcohol Abuse
31%
29%
Healthcare/Hospitals
27%
27%
Poverty/Inequality
12%
8%
Issues Facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
11%
6%
Transport
10%
8%
Petrol Prices/Fuel
9%
8%
The Economy
8%
9%
Household Debt/Personal Debt
8%
9%
Taxation
7%
6%
Unemployment
6%
7%
Immigration
6%
7%
Population/Overpopulation
5%
5%
Race Relations/Racism
5%
5%
Environmental Concerns
4%
6%
Education
3%
3%
Defence
0%
1%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Sustainable Behaviours and Extreme Weather in Urban South in October 2025

Minimising waste through intentional purchasing decisions
Urban South 2025 (n = 191)
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 811)
Currently doing it
68%
71%
Not doing it now, but would like to do it
22%
20%
Not interested in doing it
10%
8%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Minimising waste through repurposing or reusing
Urban South 2025 (n = 191)
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 811)
Currently doing it
75%
79%
Not doing it now, but would like to do it
16%
16%
Not interested in doing it
9%
5%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Recycling wherever possible
Urban South 2025 (n = 191)
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 811)
Currently doing it
93%
94%
Not doing it now, but would like to do it
5%
4%
Not interested in doing it
2%
2%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Composting food waste
Urban South 2025 (n = 191)
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 811)
Currently doing it
39%
42%
Not doing it now, but would like to do it
42%
40%
Not interested in doing it
19%
18%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Growing some food at home
Urban South 2025 (n = 191)
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 811)
Currently doing it
35%
41%
Not doing it now, but would like to do it
48%
43%
Not interested in doing it
16%
16%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Choosing to buy local goods and services as much as possible
Urban South 2025 (n = 191)
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 811)
Currently doing it
73%
74%
Not doing it now, but would like to do it
24%
23%
Not interested in doing it
4%
3%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Installing rooftop solar
Urban South 2025 (n = 191)
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 811)
Currently doing it
41%
47%
Not doing it now, but would like to do it
40%
35%
Not interested in doing it
19%
18%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Installing home battery storage
Urban South 2025 (n = 191)
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 811)
Currently doing it
7%
8%
Not doing it now, but would like to do it
63%
60%
Not interested in doing it
30%
33%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Purchasing a home generator
Urban South 2025 (n = 191)
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 811)
Currently doing it
18%
23%
Not doing it now, but would like to do it
45%
43%
Not interested in doing it
36%
34%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Taking steps to reduce energy use at home or work
Urban South 2025 (n = 191)
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 811)
Currently doing it
75%
75%
Not doing it now, but would like to do it
17%
17%
Not interested in doing it
8%
8%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Taking steps to reduce water use at home or work
Urban South 2025 (n = 191)
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 811)
Currently doing it
75%
75%
Not doing it now, but would like to do it
18%
16%
Not interested in doing it
7%
9%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Planting or maintaining a wildlife-friendly garden (e.g. native plants, insect/bird habitats)
Urban South 2025 (n = 191)
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 811)
Currently doing it
52%
56%
Not doing it now, but would like to do it
35%
33%
Not interested in doing it
14%
12%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Supporting local clean-up events or environmental activities
Urban South 2025 (n = 191)
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 811)
Currently doing it
21%
24%
Not doing it now, but would like to do it
52%
50%
Not interested in doing it
27%
26%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Using active transport regularly (e.g. walking, electric scooter, bike, public transport)
Urban South 2025 (n = 191)
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 811)
Currently doing it
36%
32%
Not doing it now, but would like to do it
31%
29%
Not interested in doing it
33%
40%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Using an electric vehicle
Urban South 2025 (n = 191)
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 811)
Currently doing it
7%
8%
Not doing it now, but would like to do it
31%
26%
Not interested in doing it
62%
67%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Reviewing insurance to find a more suitable or affordable cover
Urban South 2025 (n = 191)
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 811)
Currently doing it
48%
49%
Not doing it now, but would like to do it
35%
35%
Not interested in doing it
17%
16%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Using government rebates (e.g. for solar power, electric vehicles, water tanks etc)
Urban South 2025 (n = 191)
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 811)
Currently doing it
35%
41%
Not doing it now, but would like to do it
42%
40%
Not interested in doing it
23%
19%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Changing daily habits (e.g. avoiding outdoor activity during hot weather)
Urban South 2025 (n = 191)
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 811)
Currently doing it
76%
79%
Not doing it now, but would like to do it
9%
10%
Not interested in doing it
15%
11%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Seeking information on how to build household resilience
Urban South 2025 (n = 191)
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 811)
Currently doing it
27%
32%
Not doing it now, but would like to do it
45%
48%
Not interested in doing it
28%
20%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Which of the following extreme weather event preparation tasks have you undertaken?
Urban South 2025 (n = 191)
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 811)
I know what type of extreme weather events could affect me or my property
68%
69%
I understand the Australian Warning System
44%
44%
I have completed maintenance activities around my house to reduce my risks
41%
46%
I am familiar with the resources/information available on the Emergency Dashboard
30%
36%
My emergency evacuation plan considers any special needs that my household may have
26%
24%
I have an emergency kit ready in case I need to shelter at home
22%
26%
I have created a household emergency and evacuation plan
22%
23%
I am signed up to Emergency Dashboard Alerts
18%
21%
I have talked with neighbours about how we can help each other during an emergency
10%
13%
I have practised my emergency evacuation plan
7%
5%
Other
1%
2%
None of these
11%
10%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

Which “other” extreme weather event preparation task have you undertaken?

How confident are you that you are personally prepared for extreme weather events?
Urban South 2025 (n = 191)
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 811)
Very confident
15%
18%
Somewhat confident
59%
57%
Not very confident
16%
16%
Not at all confident
8%
7%
Don’t know
2%
2%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

What would be useful in supporting your community to build its resilience?
Urban South 2025 (n = 191)
Rockhampton Regional Council (n = 811)
Local infrastructure improvements
54%
58%
Community education and preparedness workshops
40%
36%
Support for mental health and wellbeing
34%
35%
Urban greening to improve shade and reduce heat
31%
27%
Tailored resources
28%
26%
Support for local food security
27%
28%
Youth engagement programs
23%
28%
Community-led resilience planning
23%
19%
Cool refuges to escape the heat
21%
17%
Access to resilience hubs or multi-purpose community centres
20%
18%
Support planning for adaptable, affordable, and energy-efficient housing
18%
20%
Practical guides or checklists for community groups
16%
17%
Volunteer and local neighbour support networks
12%
11%
Community storytelling and knowledge sharing
11%
13%
Local employer engagement to build partnerships for future-ready jobs
6%
8%
Support for business continuity planning
5%
7%
Promotion of digital inclusion initiatives
4%
2%
Other
1%
2%
None of these
3%
2%
Significantly higher
Significantly lower

What “other” approaches or supports do you think would be useful in supporting your community to build its resilience?