Ettalong 'more liveable' than Pearl Beach, says RMIT
Ettalong is far more "liveable" than Pearl Beach, according to a university's mapping tool being promoted to local councils for urban planning.
The tool says Ettalong is more liveable than Umina.
It also gives Ettalong a higher score for "social infrastructure" than Umina or Pearl Beach.
The online tool, provided by RMIT's Australian Urban Observatory, has indicators covering housing and transport costs, and rental and mortgage stress levels.
It shows Ettalong with a liveability score of 102.3 as "high" and Umina with a score of 99.6 as medium.
Pearl Beach has a liveability score of 91.1 and is rated a "low", as is Woy Woy Bay with a score of 88.6.
RMIT associate professor Dr Melanie Davern said the new indicators aimed to address critical housing issues and inform public policy and decision-making on key liveability factors.
The indicators are available at a neighbourhood, suburb, and local government levels for Australia's 21 largest cities, and includes the Central Coast.
"These specialist housing indicators have been designed with policymakers, service providers and community advocates to understand area-based differences and use evidence to shape effective policies and address critical housing issues that affect communities nationwide.
"Understanding within-city disparities in liveability is so important, and this includes access to housing, transport, employment and nature which have a huge influence on our health, wellbeing and overall quality of life."
RMIT's Innovation Catalyst director Ms Nithya Solomon said: "This is essential data for addressing key issues Australians face when it comes to how and where they live, and it is now accessible to everyone, free of cost."
However, elements of the tool are only available to those taking up "paid partnerships".
"There are now 48 indicators across nine domains that cover liveability, walkability, social infrastructure, transport, food and alcohol."
The website, which requires user registration, can be found at https://map.auo.org.au/
SOURCE:
Media release, 8 Jun 2023
Melanie Davern, RMIT