Bowen vs Thuringowa

Bowen (Qld) and Thuringowa are two Queensland regions with very different layouts. Thuringowa has a far larger Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, with 7,570 people compared to 1,369 in Bowen (Qld). Public transport access is a major divide; 71.3% of Thuringowa homes are within a 10-minute walk of a stop, while 0.0% of homes in Bowen (Qld) have this access. Education outcomes for First Nations students also differ, with 49.0% finishing Year 12 in Thuringowa compared to 36.3% in Bowen (Qld).

These two areas are almost identical when it comes to the typical personal income for First Nations people, which is around $614 to $625. Both areas are mostly car-dependent, though Thuringowa has far higher street connectivity. In contrast, Bowen (Qld) has more homes within a 15-minute walk of schools and health services. The gap in First Nations Year 12 completion has widened over time, with Thuringowa now far higher than Bowen (Qld).