TOOWOOMBA TOPS QUEENSLAND FOR NEW BABIES IN 2006

Toowoomba has again topped the State when it comes to new babies, the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Kerry Shine said today.

Mr Shine, the Member for Toowoomba North, said the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages had released a list showing the growth areas of Queensland in terms of the number of births per year.

“My hometown of Toowoomba is again the State’s most fertile area with 1,362 births in 2006, which is more than double that of second-placed Bundaberg which recorded 642 births,” he said.

“This is the seventh year in a row these two cities have held these positions in the birth rate statistics.

“Mackay grabbed third position with 588 births narrowly beating North Rockhampton with 586 births.”

The other locations making up the top 10 are: Gladstone (499), Mt Isa (463), Kirwan (418), Caboolture (393), ForestLake (364) and DeceptionBay (351).

Mr Shine, who today officiated at an Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony in Toowoomba, took the opportunity to welcome all new Australians to the region.

"Regardless of if you are a new Australian by becoming an Australian citizen today or are a brand new Australian who has just been born in Toowoomba, our community welcomes you,” he said.

"I look forward to some of our new Australians welcoming their own new additions to their families in the coming years."

The rankings are as follows:

1. Toowoomba (1,362)

2. Bundaberg (642)

3. Mackay (588)

4. North Rockhampton (586)

5. Gladstone (499)

6. Mt Isa (463)

7. Kirwan (418)

8. Caboolture (393)

9. ForestLake (364)

10. DeceptionBay (351).

The list is based on data from individual suburbs in metropolitan areas, meaning Brisbane does not feature on the list.

Toowoomba also continues to be one of the most popular places in Queensland to get married.

According to the most recent statistics available, 307 couples tied the knot in the city of flowers during the first half of 2006.

Media contact: Paul Holmes (Mr Shine’s office) 0407 378 796