TUESDAY 9 August Census 2016 across the country FEATURED MidCoast LGA (overall news) by News Of The Area - Modern Media - August 8, 2016August 8, 2016 A local Field Officer delivers a Census form to Carol Tattersall. TUESDAY 9 August was Census night with 24 million people in 10 million households across the country taking part. Census forms and login codes were delivered to households in the Myall Coast Region by Field Officers in the lead-up to Census night. Households who have not completed their Census forms, either online or by filling out the traditional paper form, are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. A spokesperson for the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) said participation in the Census is compulsory. “Field Officers will re-visit residents who have not completed their Census forms to remind them to do so,” the spokesperson said. “Fines of $180 a day may apply to those households who do not complete the Census within a reasonable time period.” The ABS spokesperson told News of the Area household visits will occur from mid-August to early September. New South Wales Census Director Liz Bolzan said this year’s digital approach would result in better and more accurate data and save Australian taxpayers more than $100 million. “Excitingly, more than 65 per cent of households, or 15 million people, were expected to complete the Census online,” Ms Bolzan said. “We are a digital nation and it’s important we move with the times.” Although there has been criticism of the 2016 Census in relation to privacy and access to online facilities, Bulahdelah resident Carol Tattersall had no issues completing the Census electronically. Want your business advertised online with the News Of The Area? With 11,383 page-views over the last one month, you’ll reach your online audience & customers. Email us today for a quote: ads@mcnota.com.au “Completing this year’s census online wasn’t any different to completing a paper form. All you are doing is answering questions, it’s the same regardless of how it is done,” Mrs Tattersall said. “It is a great way for the government to better understand the needs of people living in rural areas in terms of federal funding and what services they may need.” Data collected from the 2016 Census will support funding decisions for services and infrastructure including housing, transport, education, industry, hospitals and the environment. The results from the 2016 Census are expected to be released in April 2017. People requiring a new login number or help completing the Census can call the Census Inquiry Service on 1300 214 531.
