Unemployment rising across Douglas Shire
JOBS SHORTAGE
RELATED:
- New jobs to be created by Mossman Mill takeover
UNEMPLOYMENT is on the rise in the Douglas Shire after it was revealed that the number of local workers has decreased by 1,404 or more than 18% between 2011/12 and 2016/17. During this period, the shire went from 7767 jobs to 6363.
Although Accommodation and Food Services continues to lead the way as the largest employer in town's like Port Douglas – it generated 1,572 local jobs in 2016/17, an increase of 224 on the 2011/12 figures – there was a sharp drop in Transport, Postal and Warehousing (-287 local workers); Other Services (-224) and Manufacturing (-212).
Other services include Repair and Maintenance; Personal and other services; and Private households employing staff and undifferentiated goods.
This comes at a delicate time as the future of the 121-year-old Mossman Mill hangs in the balance. Although local cane growers (Far Northern Milling Company) have made a move to buy the mill – Council is lobbying for $20m from the Federal Government and $10m from the State Government – if the mill is not sold by November, current owners Mackay Sugar will be closing its doors at year’s end.
The mill employs some 90 full-time and casual people, supports multiple businesses in the town and generates $115m into the economy. The closure of the mill could spell the death knell for Mossman.
Council recently approved $250,000 to help the Far Northern Milling Company take over the facility towards the creation of a ‘Daintree Bio Precinct’ that will tap into renewable energy opportunities and create valuable by-products at a processing facility next to the Mossman Mill.
Meanwhile, an analysis of the jobs held by local workers in 2016/17 shows the three largest industries were:
• Accommodation and Food Services (1,572 people or 24.7%)
• Retail Trade (596 people or 9.4%)
• Transport, Postal and Warehousing (510 people or 8.0%).
In combination these three industries accounted for 2,677 people in total or 42.1% of the local workers.
Administration and Support Services showed an increase of 176 jobs (484 up from 308); but Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services dropped by 176; Wholesale Trade by 181 and Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing by 65.
The statistics are modelled by the National Institute of Economic and Industry Research (NIEIR) to correct for the known undercount of jobs recorded in the Census. They estimate the total number of persons employed in an industry sector (full-time and part-time) in Douglas Shire Council regardless of where they live. They are updated annually.
To view the Douglas Shire’s economic profile CLICK HERE.
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