Poruma (Coconut) Island vs Warraber Island

Poruma (Coconut) Island and Warraber Island are nearby Queensland communities with very different economic and layout profiles. Poruma (Coconut) Island is a smaller population with a noticeably older typical First Nations resident (31 years) and well higher typical personal income of $555. In contrast, Warraber Island has a far larger First Nations population of 274 people, though unemployment is far higher there at 15.2%. Warraber Island also has a more connected layout, with 95 intersections per square kilometre compared to just 1 on Poruma (Coconut) Island, and every home there is within a 15-minute walk of a park.

These differences stand out even though the two areas share a very similar educational profile, with about 56% of First Nations residents finishing Year 12. Both are car-dependent and have a very high share of people who speak a First Nations language. The gap in First Nations unemployment has widened since 2011, as the two areas have drifted further apart in their job market stability.