Census collectors will drop off a census form at every household in Australia in the two weeks prior to Census night and will return to pick up a completed Census form between August 9 and 28 2006.

This year, people will have the option of completing their Census form electronically via the Internet.

The Census is the foundation stone for a large part of local government planning. Census information is used extensively by council to identify the services that are required in this area, and to examine changes in the characteristics of the population in order to adequately plan for the future. So an accurate count in the Census is vital for our community.

If you have any enquiries about the Census, log on to www.abs.gov.au/census. Alternatively, you can ask your collector, or call the Census Inquiry Service on 1300 362 883 (open between July 28 and September 9 2006).

Don't forget to fill in your Census form. Your community is counting on you!