Specialisation and Growth: Evidence from Australia's Regional Cities

Abstract

This paper draws upon the 2001 census to examine the impact of national economic reform on the growth of regional cities. The paper argues that regional cities in Australia have taken on new roles within both their region and the national economy. It argues that deregulation of the economy has contributed to the growth of some regional cities and especially those that have been able to deepen their economies. Through the use of regression analysis, the paper suggests that regional centres that have witnessed an increase in the level of specialisation within their economy have, on average, grown more quickly than other cities. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications for our understanding of the evolution of urban systems.

Regional variation in social isolation amongst older Australians

“…Social isolation amongst the older population was therefore most acute in Australia's two largest cities, and in the two mainland states that are distinguished by large, remote landmasses and relatively few major settlements outside the capitals (Beer & Clower, 2009). The island state of Tasmania, by contrast, recorded the lowest level of social isolation amongst older Australians at zero for the capital city of Hobart, and 7% for the areas outside the capital.…”

The dual roles for accountants in sustaining rural communities

“…Despite the importance of maintaining rural communities as service hubs, many are in decline as people drift to urban areas or are encouraged into urban clusters to help government reduce costs and gain from economies of scale in delivery of social and other services. In South Australia for example, the rural cities of Mount Gambier, Port Augusta, Whyalla, and Port Lincoln, have now become such urban clusters and serve residents in the cities themselves, the immediate surrounding areas and the extended rural communities (Beer et al, 1994;Beer, 1999;Beer and Clower, 2009). As a consequence, the smaller rural communities lose their services, necessitating local residents to travel.…”

Corporate Location, Concentration and Performance: Large Company Headquarters in the Australian Urban System

“…In terms of macroeconomic events, the most significant was the onset of the 1970s recession, which contributed to low levels of economic growth, high unemployment and rapid inflation. As Beer and Clower (2009) have pointed out, it also saw the onset of a process of deindustrialisation in Australia and the gradual shift of many manufacturing and other production-based industries offshore, as companies sought relief from relatively high taxes, high labour costs and an austere regulatory environment.…”

“…The response of Australian governments to the economic difficulties was not dissimilar to that adopted in other developed nations and included widespread liberalisation of the economy (Beer and Clower, 2009). This included the liberalisation of the banking and finance sector, the floating of the Australian dollar, reductions in tariffs and a relaxation of foreign investment regulations.…”

“…For example, many of those regions dependent on industries such as manufacturing, processing and transport have suffered economic decline and marginalisation (Beer et al, 2003;Beer and Clower, 2009). By contrast, many cities have seen high-tech industrial parks flourish, tourism and recreation localities grow rapidly and the emergence of substantial nodes for financial services (O'Connor et al, 2001;Agnes, 2000).…”