ROCKBANK is Melton’s most disadvantaged suburb, new census figures show.
Census data from 2011 has been used to create a socio-economic index that ranks every suburb by people’s ability to contribute to society. The rankings measure income, type of employment, housing and broadband access.
Rockbank was 43rd in the state, followed by Melton at 60 and Melton South at 68.
Bacchus Marsh was ranked 184 and Hillside 276.
Australian Bureau of Statistics analytical services branch director, Phillip Gould, said the rankings were used by governments to determine areas that required additional funding for improved services.
They also helped guide research into the relationship between health and education outcomes and the socio-economic conditions of an area. Dr Gould said it was not uncommon for areas to have pockets of advantage and disadvantage.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? Post a comment below.
“It’s important to remember that indexes are assigned to geographic areas, not to individuals.
“For example, it’s possible for a relatively advantaged person to reside in an area which may have a low score.”
Combined Churches Caring Melton chief executive Denise Morris hoped the figures would mean more funding for Melton.
“I’d like to believe that it is the case and a lower ranking would ensure a flood of funding, but generally government funding is based on Centrelink figures,” she said.
“Combined Churches served around 6 per cent of the Melton population last year. We are expecting higher percentages for 2013.”
Jobless figures released on Thursday show Melton’s unemployment reached 10.6 per cent in December, up from 9.3 per cent in December 2011.
