Great Sandy Desert vs Mulan

Great Sandy Desert and Mulan are nearby areas in Western Australia, though they differ greatly in layout and economy. Mulan is more concentrated, with 100% of homes within a 15-minute walk of health services, schools, and groceries. In contrast, the Great Sandy Desert is car-dependent, with no homes within a 15-minute walk of these services. There are also sharp differences in First Nations data: unemployment is far higher in Mulan at 85.3%, while it is 0.0% in Great Sandy Desert. However, the Great Sandy Desert has far higher First Nations personal income at $450 compared to $250 in Mulan.

These two areas share a very young First Nations population, with a typical age of 25. The gap in First Nations education is a notable difference, as Year 12 completion is far higher in Mulan at 21.3% compared to 6.1% in Great Sandy Desert. Both areas are largely isolated, with no homes within a 10-minute walk of public transport.