CQU was involved in this week\'s launch of the findings of a two-year study of the Socio-economic Impacts of Defence Force Activities in the Central Queensland Region.

The study was carried out by Associate Professor Gayle Jennings, Centre for Social Science Research, CQU, Professor Larry Dwyer, Qantas Professor of Travel and Tourism Economics, UNSW, and Professor Daniela Stehlik, Director, Alcoa Research Centre for Stronger Communities, CUoT, in conjunction with the Commonwealth Department of Defence.

The launch was hosted by Rockhampton Regional Development in its offices in Rockhampton on Tuesday November 30 2004.

Dr Matthew Rockloff, Acting Director, Centre for Social Science Research, attended the launch.

The study commenced in July 2002 and was completed in May 2004. The key focus questions of the study were:.

1. What is the economic impact of the Defence Force presence in the CQ region? Can an economic model be established which enables on-going analysis of this impact?.

2. What is the social impact of the Defence Force presence in the CQ Region? What are the social issues which emerge from such a presence? How can the Department of Defence incorporate such issues in any future planning?.

3. What are the community attitudes and perceptions to the Defence Force presence in CQ? To what extent do such attitudes and perceptions impact on the socio-economic fabric of the region?.

4. To what extent do the CQ facilities (business, tourism, social, transport, accommodation etc) meet the needs of the Defence Force personnel? What gaps can be identified? What can be undertaken within the community to fill such gaps?.

The study involved a number of methods to gather information:.

1. Visiting Defence personnel questionnaire.

2. Defence personnel resident questionnaire.

3. Contractor secondary data sources study.

4. Community and stakeholder focus groups.

5. Resident telephone study.

Some snapshots from the findings of the study include:.

 Defence injects $52.8 million into Central Queensland economy.

 Australian and visiting forces, when on leave in the region, spent an estimated $24.8 million in 2003.

 Rockhampton and Yeppoon residents indicated that Defence visits impacted neutrally or positively on their quality of life.

 Visiting Defence personnel (a majority) were satisfied with the recreational and leisure options available in the area.

The study was managed through the Centre for Social Science Research and utilised the Population Research Laboratory. Through the course of the project, the study engaged a number of research students as research assistants and project managers.

The key investigators would like to thank all University staff and students who assisted in the conduct of the project as well as the various communities for their participation in the different components of the study.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Teresa Gambaro has welcomed the announcement that Defence activity boosts the Central Queensland economy by $52.8 million, creating 728 full-time equivalent jobs.

"The management and use of Shoalwater Bay Training Area by the Australian Defence Force, and visiting training partners, creates a massive economic benefit to the Central Queensland area. The $52.8 million is spent throughout the region with a variety of business, so all the community benefits," Ms Gambaro said.

"Defence itself locally purchased $27 million worth of food, transport services, fuel, construction equipment, building materials and a range of other goods and services for infrastructure and exercises at Shoalwater Bay Training Area in 2003," she said.

"Australian and visiting forces, when on leave in the region, spent an estimated $24.8 million in 2003. This was mainly spent on accommodation, transport, food and beverage, shopping, touring, entertainment, etc. with American personnel spending an average of $2,734 each," Ms Gambaro said.

"Defence personnel based in the Central Queensland area spend around $1 million of their salaries on groceries, petrol, hardware, clothing, and other general household needs with another set of local businesses.".

Ms Gambaro was very pleased to note that the Central Queensland University (CQU) report also concluded that Defence's presence in Central Queensland has led to positive flow on effects in the area. This includes the extension and deepening of the region\'s skill base, supporting industry growth, direct funding injections into the construction industry and a general expansion of business activity.

The research project into the Socio-Economic impacts of Defence activity in Central Queensland was commissioned by the Department of Defence and independently conducted through the Centre for Social Science Research at CQU.

With 10 to 20% of all tourism revenue in the region generated by visiting troops, the information in the report will be made available to local businesses, through Defence's website www.defence.gov.au, to assist them develop sales and marketing plans to maximise their revenue.

Photo: Associate Professor Gayle Jennings, Centre for Social Science Research, CQU, Professor Larry Dwyer, Qantas Professor of Travel and Tourism Economics, UNSW.