Townsville - Mackay vs ACT

Townsville - Mackay and ACT are very different environments, separated by over 1,700 kilometres. The ACT is very walkable, with 81.9% of homes having a 15-minute-city walkshed and a typical walkability score of 6.9 (very walkable). In contrast, Townsville - Mackay is mostly car-dependent, with a score of 3.9 and only 45% of homes in a similar walkshed. The ACT also has much higher outcomes for First Nations people, including a typical personal income of $1,004 compared to $591 in Townsville - Mackay.

Both areas have a similar average terrain slope, which sits close to the national figure. Townsville - Mackay has a far larger First Nations population at 31,062 people, and a higher share speak a First Nations language (11.0% compared to 7.5% in ACT). However, the unemployment rate for First Nations people is well higher in Townsville - Mackay at 12.8%, while it is among the lowest in the country in the ACT at 7.2%.