We have prepared a series of summary Liveability Reports presenting indicator results and maps for all 21 cities included in the Australian Urban Observatory. Each Liveability Report is 16 pages long and available and downloadable for all individual 21 cities from the map below.
These city-based reports include the Liveability Index and Social Infrastructure Index which are the only indicators available freely available at the suburb and neighbourhood level in the Australian Urban Observatory. Registration is available here to access liveability indicator results. Alternatively, become a funding partner of the Australian Urban Observatory to access the entire range of indicators at the suburb and neighbourhood level.
Maps in the Liveability Reports support observation, understanding and action. Indicator results highlight suburbs where liveability is good and where liveability could be improved with planning and policy action.
Click on a city in the map below to view a Liveability Report.
Key findings
Liveability:
Australian cities are liveable. Older, more established inner city areas are most liveable with greater access to public transport, destinations and services. Reduced liveability is visible on the fringe areas of many cities.
Walkability:
Similar to liveability, our cities are more walkable in inner city areas with more people, destinations to walk to and ways of getting there. The walkability of our cities tends to decline towards outer urban areas.
Social Infrastructure:
Most cities have between 4 -7 different types of community services relating to health, culture, and education out of a total of 16. Social infrastructure is greater in the inner city and lower in outer urban areas.
Public Transport:
Larger cities have better access to regular public transport especially in the inner city areas. Regional cities generally have reduced access to public transport. Public transport declines towards the outer city areas.
Food Environment:
We measured the average distance to supermarkets and found distances were larger in outer city areas. It is more difficult to access a range of fresh foods and everyday products if you live in outer areas of cities.
Alcohol Environment:
Most cities have large numbers of off-license alcohol outlets in inner city areas. Easy access to alcohol is associated with alcohol consumption and physical and mental health issues of concern.
Public Open Space:
Average distances to public open spaces across the 21 largest cities vary for each city. Larger cities generally have better access to large public open spaces, while many smaller regional cities have reduced access.
Employment:
In many regional cities, residents live close to where they work leading to reduced travel times and improved work-life balance. People living in capital cities often don’t live and work close to home with longer commuting times.
Housing Affordability:
Housing stress was measured in low income households (lowest 40%). Approximately 30-45% of low income households across the 21 cities were spending more than 30 percent of their income on housing.