This research examines the economic structure of Australian local government areas (LGAs) in the Northern Territory (NT), South Australia (SA) and Western Australia (WA) using geospatial mapping, economic base theory and location quotients (LQs).

Whereas the economic base approach is long established, in this paper the team extends the three-staged geospatial visualization method of Blackwell et al. (2017) to two additional state jurisdictions. Focusing on the economic structure of rangeland LGAs, it is found that these vary significantly, implying that no single generic development policy is likely to be effective, but rather these need to be crafted individually. The research demonstrates that geospatial visualizations of employment LQs can identify local economic vulnerability as well as opportunity.

Blackwell, B.D., Dollery B.E., Fischer, A.M., & McFarlane, J.A. (2018). Geospatial Analyses of Local Economic Structures in the Rangeland Areas of the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia. The Rangeland Journal, (in print).