Mayors and community leaders across the New England North West are urging residents to fill out their Census forms, with Census night just a week away on Tuesday, 11 August.
The Census of Population and Housing is held every five years and counts every person and household in Australia. The information collected shapes government funding and service planning for the next five years, including for roads, hospitals, schools and emergency services.
Mayor Darrell Tiemens said every person in the shire on Census night needed to be counted, including those just passing through.
“Overseas workers or people visiting the shire, or it doesn’t matter what, but every single person who’s going to be in our shire that night will make a big difference,” Cr Tiemens said.
He said residents did not need to wait until the night itself if they already knew their plans.
“You can complete these forms ahead of the night if you know what you’re going to be doing or where you’re going to be,” Cr Tiemens said.
He said the impact of every form went well beyond the numbers on a page.
“Every single person who completes that form makes a massive difference to all of us, whether it be police or ambos or hospitals, whatever it is, every single number makes a big difference to our funding for all sorts of services for across our towns, villages and farmland,” Cr Tiemens said.
“So make your count count,” he said.
In Gwydir Shire, Mayor Tiff Galvin said the Census played a huge role in determining funding for essential services and infrastructure over the next five years, including roads, hospitals, healthcare, schools, childcare, housing, emergency services and community programs.
“Here at Council, we also rely on Census data when applying for grants and advocating for funding for our communities,” Cr Galvin said.
“If people aren’t counted, our Shire’s needs may not be fully recognised, making it harder to secure the funding and services we deserve,” she said.
Mayor Galvin said residents could complete their Census early, either online or on paper, once they had received their materials. Census staff will also be on hand to help at Bingara Library on Monday, 10 August, and Warialda Library on Tuesday, 11 August, from 10am until 12pm.
“Please don’t put it off. Every person matters, every household matters and every response makes a difference,” Cr Galvin said.
“Let’s make sure [Gwydir Shire] is counted,” she said.
In Inverell Shire, Mayor Kate Dight said residents may receive their Census information either as a letter with instructions to complete the form online, or as a paper form in a blue envelope. She said the paper copy includes a number that can also be used to complete the Census online.
Cr Dight said it was important everyone in the shire took part, no matter their job or how long they had been in the area.
“We really want everyone to fill out the census. Truck drivers, farm workers, abattoir workers, outback workers, anyone who is here in our community,” Cr Dight said.
She said the count covered the whole shire, from Tingha across to Delungra, Inverell, Ashford, Bonshaw and Yetman.
“We really want to know where you’re living and how you are a part of our community,” Cr Dight said.
“So it’s really important that we all do our Census, because it determines our funding going forward for the next five years,” she said.
“So jump on board, fill out your census and make sure you do it,” Cr Dight said.
More information about the Census is available at info.census.abs.gov.au/about.
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